"Kate Wilhelm - Justice For Some" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilhelm Kate)

Carol Betts was the prosecutor for the state against Steven Mancero that afternoon. It was a simple
matter: the restaurant where Mancero worked had come up two hundred dollars short and the manager
had accused him of stealing from the cash drawer. Sarah listened, but without a lot of attention. She was
more interested in watching Howard Bartles, the defense attorney, who seemed to be in an endless
whispered conference with a man seated behind him. He appeared unaware when Carol Betts
concluded and sat down.

"Mr. Bartles," Sarah said, and he hurriedly faced her and half rose.

"Sorry, Your Honor. Mr. Mason wishes to plead guilty."

She glanced at the sheet before her. Steven Mancero.

She was well aware that in large cities, New York, Philadelphia, and sometimes in not-such-big cities
where the attorneys were overworked, they often spelled out their clients' names in big block letters for
easy reference during a hurried trial, but here in Pendleton, Oregon9 No one had rushed in Pendleton
since the Oregon Trail was first blazed.

Now she looked more closely at the young man, too thin, very dark, dressed in jeans and a sport shirt.
He looked young enough for juvenile court.

Bartles nudged the young man. "Stand up, Mason."

He stood up and clasped his hands before him, watching her with big frightened eyes.

"Mr. Mancero, are you ready to plead?" she asked.

He looked quickly toward Bartles, who nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Have you ever been in court before, Mr. Mancero?

He shook his head.

"You have to answer," she said, "so the court recorder can hear your words and get them in the record."

She added to the recorder, "Indicate the answer was no," and then turned to the young man again. "How
old are you, Mr. Mancero?"

"Twenty-one."

"And how long have you worked for the restaurant?"

"Three years."

"Mr. Mancero, do you understand that you have the right to a trial by jury? Has that been explained to
you?" He shook his head, then quickly said, "I didn't know that. No, ma'am."