Page 19 of Grave Danger
“Most federal judges have no experience in family law,” said Judge Carlton. “I, on the other hand, was in the family division for five years as a state court judge. One thing I learned right off the bat is that some things are better addressed to the lawyers, without the husband and wife clawing at each other. Make sense?”
The lawyers agreed.
“I also don’t like to admonish lawyers in front of their clients.” He was looking at Jack, which required a response of some kind.
“Admonish for what, Your Honor?” asked Jack.
“I am directing my remarks to both sides,” the judge said—but still he was looking only at Jack. “If you or your client alerted the media and encouraged demonstrations outside the courthouse in hopes that anti-Iranian government sentiment would sway the outcome of this proceeding under the Hague Convention, you’ve made a bad mistake. And it will backfire.”
Jack waited for the admonition to go both ways, but that seemed to be the end of it.
“Your Honor, it is my firm commitment to try this case in your courtroom, not in the court of public opinion.”
“Mm-hmm,” the judge responded.
Smelling blood, Farid’s counsel was quick to take advantage of the judge’s obvious displeasure with Jack.
“Judge, I didn’t want to start this proceeding by attacking my opposing counsel, but there is something I feel compelled to bring to the court’s attention.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I understand that Mr. Swyteck has hired an ex-con by the name of Theo Knight to act as his client’s bodyguard.”
It was a cheap shot, and Jack resented it. “Judge, Mr. Knight is not an ‘ex-con.’ He spent four years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit.”
“I’m not here to split hairs,” said Beech. “Over the weekend, Mr. Knight had an improper confrontation with my client, during which he physically threatened Mr. Bazzi.”
Jack shot his opposing counsel a look of incredulity. “What?”
The judge’s gaze fixed on Jack. “Is it true that this Mr. Theo Knight is acting as your client’s bodyguard?”
“Yes, Your Honor. And with good reason. I was assaulted outside my office ten minutes after my first meeting with my client, and I feared my client might be next.”
“Assaulted? Did you report this to the police?” asked the judge.
“No, Your Honor. My client didn’t want to escalate matters and asked me not to.”
Beech chuckled. “Judge, even if this unreported ‘assault’ on Mr. Swyteck actually happened, that doesn’t justify hiring a thug like Theo Knight to retaliate against my client.”
The judge threw up his hands. “All right, both of you. I don’t take allegations of physical assault against lawyers or litigants lightly. But it only reinforces my original point. This proceeding will be resolved on the merits, not driven by sensational headlines and public demonstrations. Am I understood?”
“Yes,” the lawyers said in unison, but Jack sensed that he was the principal target of the judge’s ire. Beech apparently had the same impression, and she acted on it.
“Your Honor, my fear is that the longer this case drags on, the worse these external distractions will become. I would like to propose a way to streamline matters.”
“I’m listening,” said the judge.
“We all agree that a mother accused of abducting her child has a limited number of defenses under the Hague Convention,” said Beech.
“Yes, agreed,” said Jack. “And we intend to prove them.”
“Not so fast,” said Beech. “I think we can also agree that none of those defenses applies if Zahra Bazzi was never the lawful wife of Farid Bazzi.”
“Judge, my client has a certified copy of the marriage certificate,” said Jack.
“That certificate is worthless,” said Beech. “We can prove that Mr. Bazzi was induced to marry Zahra Bazzi under false and fraudulent pretenses, which renders the marriage void.”
“What pretenses?” asked the judge.