Chapter Five
The detectives went over what Jacob knew about Izza's death by asking him many questions. "Okay, Jacob, you're doing really well, just one more thing, okay?" Jacob shook his head. "Do you remember where you were the night Izza was murdered?"
Detective Evans asked. "I was at home with my brother," Jacob said. Detective Evans understood, "Okay, and did you ever have any problems with Izza?" Jacob shrugged, "I didn't hurt Izza, I swear I didn't hurt her," Jacob said, before beginning to cry once again.
"Jacob, it's okay, I am here for you," I said.
"I didn't kill anyone," Jacob said. I took a deep breath, and sighed, "Jacob won't be answering any more questions," I said to Detective Evans.
Detective Evans sighed understandingly, shaking his head while I rubbed Jacob's back.
"I'm scared," Jacob said, crying.
"I know, and I am going to do everything I can to help you," I said to Jacob.
"I'm sorry, but Jacob is going to have to stay in jail overnight until his court arraignment in the morning with Judge Mathis," said Detective Evans. He will probably be released on bail at that time."
I didn't know what to say next. Jacob was begging me not to let them take him to jail. "I'll be back in the morning, I promise," I said to Jacob.
"Please don't leave me," Jacob said, as he began to cry once again. I was heartbroken for Jacob. I took a deep breath and sighed deeply. "I will be back in the morning, I will pay for your bail and you will be released as soon as possible. I am not going to let you down, I promise," I said to Jacob.
"I'm scared," Jacob said, once again.
"I know, I am scared, too."
"What if I never get to go back home?"
"I am your brother, I am going to protect you," I said to Jacob. Jacob understood, shaking his head, "I'll see you tomorrow," I said, once again.
Jacob took a deep breath and sighed. He was still in handcuffs. Both Detectives Sailor and Evans took Jacob to a jail cell. I left the interrogation room feeling upset. I was trying not to show my emotions.
After I arrived home, I marched into the kitchen, took off my suit jacket and untied my tie. I went to the refrigerator and got out a bottle of water. I opened the tap, took a couple of sips, and closed the refrigerator. I had thought of becoming a homicide detective when I was young .
Both of my parents had been detectives. I remember my mother asking me what I wanted to be when I got older. I told her I wanted to be a detective like her and my Dad. However, by the time I graduated from high school, I had changed my mind. I felt by then that my calling was to be a lawyer.
If my parents were still alive, I know they would be proud of me.
I invited Mandy Butler to come to my house. I I needed a friend to talk to. I had met Mandy in law school. I explained to her that Jacob had been charged with the murder of one of his closest friends.
I sat on the couch next to her while I explained everything. Mandy said she felt awful about the news. She told me how Jacob was like a brother to her and how much she loved him.
I told her I had never felt so scared and helpless in my life. I knew I had to represent him, but what if I failed, and he was found guilty. I was terrified at the thought. We talked for a long time. Finally, Mandy gave me a kiss on the cheek and went home.
The day after his arrest, Jacob was arraigned. Judge Mathis read the criminal charges against Jacob and asked Jacob whether he understood the charges. Jacob said softly, "I didn't do anything wrong." He had been made fully aware of the possible loss of freedom or even his life.
He was told of his right to have an attorney. He was then asked how he pleaded and Jacob responded , "Not guilty." Finally, Judge Mathis announced to counsel the dates for the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, and trial. He set bail at $500,000 and ordered Jacob to wear an ankle monitor.
Shortly thereafter I called Mandy again. I was speaking to her on the phone outside of the courthouse. Mandy could tell I was very frustrated by what was happening.
She told me to take some deep breaths and I did. Mandy works as a prosecutor in another office. I explained to Mandy I had lost one of my client's cases and couldn't imagine how it would feel to lose Jacob's case.
Mandy said she understood because a close relative, whom she had represented, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. I closed my eyes, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
When I opened my eyes I thanked Mandy for being such a good friend. "It is my pleasure to be your friend," Mandy said, softly. I thanked Mandy once again. It meant a lot to me that she was so understanding. And, I knew she would be there for me no matter what happened in the future.
I went back into the courthouse as Jacob had just been released on bond. I didn't have the $50,000 needed for Jacob to be released so I had to put up our house for collateral. Jacob and I went right home. He fell asleep in the passenger seat. I knew he was exhausted. Jacob's trial had been set for January twenty fifth of next year. Izza had been gone for over a week now, and I wondered how the Millers were doing.
I had been thinking about Jacob's case non stop since his arrest. I knew Jacob was not capable of committing murder. Someone must be setting him up. I sighed, continuing to drive. Jacob moaned and woke up. "Are we almost home?" Jacob asked, wondering.
"Yes, Jacob, we're almost home," I answered back. Jacob could tell I was worried about him. I took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm sorry," Jacob said. "I'm sorry I made you feel so worried ," Jacob said.
I sighed once again, "Jacob, I... I think... I... you know what, never mind," I said, before pausing.
"I didn't do it," Jacob said.
"And I believe you," I answered back.
"Do you? Really?" Jacob asked.
"Yes," I said, before turning my head back to Jacob, softly smiling.
Jacob sighed, turning his head to look out the window. "What if I go to prison?" Jacob asked, I continued looking at the road because I didn't know what to say to him.
"Jacob, can you look at me?" I asked.
Jacob turned his head back to me once again. "I am going to do everything I can to help you.
Jacob sighed, shaking his head and said, "yeah, I do."
As soon as we got home, I made a quick phone call as Jacob immediately went to bed. I dialed a private investigator's number who had a great reputation. His name is Benjamin Kyle. Benjamin is thirty five years old, and has been a professional private investigator for five years.It went straight to voicemail.
Hello, you have reached Benjamin Kyle, I am either working, or at lunch, please leave me your name, phone number, and I will call you back, thank you.
Beep.
"Hi, my name is Ryan Morgan, I am a prosecutor. I would like to see if you and I can work on a case together? My number is (701)- 521-4965. I would appreciate it if you can call me as soon as possible. Thank you so much, bye bye."
As soon as I finished leaving a message for Benjamin, I took a deep breath and slowly let out my breath. I thought to myself, Jacob was being accused of killing one of his best friends and I know he couldn't commit such a heinous act. Jacob is full of love and kindness. He couldn't hurt anyone much less commit murder.
Jacob was the only family member born with a disability, and we all understood how impacted Jacob is by his autism. However, it is hard to explain it to an outsider. Jacob is sweet and gentle. He doesn't have it in him to kill anyone.
It's sad, really sad. I may have days where I want to give up on Jacob, but I can't. I could never give up on my little brother. I promised myself that I would never abandon Jacob. Jacob needs me, and I need him. My mother and father were always so supportive of Jacob and his learning disability.
I promised my mother before she died, Jacob would become my responsibility. That is why my parents wanted me as Jacob's legal guardian. Jacob needed someone to look after him.
My heart felt heavy as I made my way up the stairs. I saw Jacob sitting on the edge of his bed, looking at a picture of himself, my parents, and me all together. I walked into his bedroom, and asked if he was okay.
Jacob looked at me, and I saw tears streaming down his face. I walked up to Jacob and sat next to him. He kept saying how much he misses our parents. I told Jacob I was missing mom and dad as well.
While we were talking about mom and dad, I keep having this nagging feeling that David, Izza and Jacob's friend, had something to do with Izza's death. I will talk to the private investigator about it as soon as he calls me back.