Love Story: In The Web of Life by Ken Renshaw (snow like ashes TXT) 📕

way for Lucy to communicate her status to Mr. Manteo overtwo miles away. I impeached his testimony by asking what year hewas awarded his PhD (1973) and how long it had been since hepublished his last scientific paper (more than fifteen years) andif he had ever done any theoretical work that dealt with moredimensions than four (no). He said he had never heard of Minkowskiand then admitted he had not kept up with advances in physics forthe past ten years.

I was amazed at how poorly this witness hadbeen prepared by Dean Buttress.

Dean Buttress called Altos Kozinsky whodescribed himself as president of the Sacramento chapter of anorganization dedicated to exposing frauds in claims of paranormalexperience. He cited a study that surveyed Police Departments ofthe 60 largest cities in the United States and Canada. Thepublished report said that only forty percent of the departmentssaid they ever used psychics, and none said they had ever receivedinformation of great value.

In cross-examination, I asked Mr. Kozinsky whathis profession was.

"Real estate broker," he replied.

"Did you study science in college?"

"No, I didn't go to college."

I asked, "When was the study you describeddone?"

He said, "1973."

"Do you know of any similar studies since1973?"

"No."

"Was it published in a peer–reviewed journaland reviewed by scientists not involved in the study?"

"I don't know," he replied.

"Who published the study?"

"Our organization."

"The organization you described as dedicated to'exposing frauds in claims of paranormal experience'?"

"Besides being 'dedicated to exposing frauds inclaims of paranormal experience' what were the author's academiccredentials?

"I don't know?"

"Was Mr. Manteo mentioned specifically in thestudy?"

"Not that I remember."

"Does this study have anything to do with Mr.Manteo?"

"Yes, it shows that all psychics arefrauds."

"Thank you," I said. "I would like to recallProfessor Charles Young,"

Dean Buttress looked as though he wanted toobject but couldn't think of why.

I asked Professor Young to listen while theclerk read back the questions and answers of my cross–examinationof Altos Kozinsky.

Professor Young listened and then I asked him,"From the testimony you heard, does this study provide scientificproof of fraud, according to academic standards?"

Professor Young looked embarrassed as he said,"No.'"

"Thank you."

Dean Buttress rested his case.

Judge Cartright said, "I will hear closingarguments tomorrow morning. This court is adjourned."

As we walked down the courthouse steps,reporters who pushed microphones in our faces and shouted questionsaccosted us. We responded, "No comment," and explained that JudgeCartright had asked us not to comment on the case to the media.Both Elizabeth and I noticed that a TV reporter had Janice Cloudon–camera in an interview.

As we drove home, Elizabeth reviewed how thejury reacted to each point in the case and we talked over points tobe made in the closing statement.

We got to the old Williams' place, gave Codythe car, and joined Buster in his pickup and drove to theranch.

At the ranch Tina and Sofia were sitting on theporch, sipping wine. As I got out of the car, Tina, dressed in awhite jogging suit, ran over and gave me a welcoming kiss, steppedsafely away and executed a series on punches in the air,orchestrated by guttural "Yah, Yahs," and made a head kick in theair. "He-ah!" Sofia was standing nearby, laughing.

"I can tell you ladies didn't spend the daysitting on the porch embroidering doilies," I observed.

"Go ahead, big boy, make your move!" snarledTina.

Buster stepped forward, laughed and said, "Ithink we should change the topic of conversation. Steve drove homeafter his testimony and everybody else left on the afternoonplane."

Elizabeth interrupted, "I think I could use agood kick in the head about now. Do you have any whisky in thehouse?"

****

When we got to the old Williams' place on ourdrive to court on Thursday morning, Cody was not there to switchcars with us. There seemed to be several other dark colored cars inthe driveway near the house.

Buster said, "I'm driving you to court today.Cody is fine. Everything is fine: actually, everything is reallygood. Keep your mind on your lawyering. I'll brief you later aboutthis when I have all the facts."

Judge Cartright called the court to order andasked for me to give my closing argument.

I gave my closing argument, and Dean Buttressgave his. The Judge gave the jury his instructions, and the juryfor left for deliberation. Court was adjourned at eleveno'clock.

Elizabeth commented after watching the jurorsleave, "I think we are in good shape. The only jurors who looked atButtress did so in apparent disgust. Several looked compassionatelyat the Sodastroms. I think they will elect the juror number five asforeman. That would be good because he looks like a gentle,reasonable person."

We retired to our conference room. I checked mytext messages and found I had a message from Zaza. It said,"Highest priority emergency: Call Phil Brackenimmediately."

I called Phil. He said, "We have a badsituation here. Sam Perris, the Chief Scientist at ChralMed, ourmajor client, happened to be in Sacramento yesterday. He said hesaw you on the evening news declining to comment on the Rocky Buttecase. Then, he saw an interview of a woman, a mother who hadparticipated in some sort of demonstration. According to Perris,you put on some kind if rigged demonstration proving that ESPworks. Perris is threatening to fire us from Bob's ChralMed casebecause our firm lacks scientific integrity. Is thistrue?"

I said, "I did have the CIA psychic do ademonstration where he successfully located three children. Thedemo was absolutely not rigged."

Phil replied, "Well, settle the case. I'll takecare of Vince Colson. Get it out of the news. We can't afford tolose ChralMed. It will ruin our credibility with other clients. Youmust realize how important ChralMed is to our future."

I answered, "It is too late. The case went tothe jury this morning. I have no way to find the opposing counsel.He is probably in some bar around here. The verdict will be backbefore we could even begin negotiations. Too late to trigger amistrial. The Judge wants this trial over once and for all. Thereis nothing I can do." I thought to myself, 'Except hunt for a newjob.'

Phil still sounded mad when he said, "Well,I'll work on damage control. Goodbye!"

I thought, 'That really did sound likegoodbye.'

"Your face is pale! What was that