Compelling Evidence by Steve Martini

leather " It is an SM‐;iwo that, like the judicial bearing, has been lea'med, for his Hispanic surname Acosta does not speak the lanuajyi@ The affected inflections of voice are just another concesi to the politics of demography in a state with a rapidly rising f.rrosis population. I have heard the poverty lawyers‐the young UN syii(rw on their steeds tilting at the bastions of the establishlzl the ones working for La Raza and the Mexican‐American @J.T,o**, Fund. In their circle, Acosta is known as the
    "Castilian 4,41TOTIR " brown and fuzzy on
    the outside, but white as driven '1,1XV at the core. He worships regularly at the altar of affirmative but anyone even vaguely familiar with the jurist knows that more in common with the An glos on the board of directors the Del Prado Country Club with whom he serves than with brown grounds‐keepers who rake its sand traps and mow its greens. But for the moment Acosta is a good judge, of sound discretion. sides with me. lie stares at the DA. "Is this true, counsel? Are you trying to
    ##‐@4;; this case to a felony, for purposes of plea bargaining? if that's what's going on here, this court will not coun'no, Your Honor."

    Gibbs's denial is hollow. There's a momentary vacuum as Acosta waits for a f( reply. Finally the void is filled, but not by Gibbs. It's a gr@voice to the far side of the prosecutor. "Not exactly, Your W, Lama has waded in. "We're just asking' for her cooper., he says. This is a little dance that we've been doing now for near.' months‐Lama, Gibbs, and 1. It seems that my client is t@ a larger group‐4adies of the night who franchise their se to lobbyists and others who use the women to influenoe@ and other public actions. Lama wants their client list. 14W
    dubbed that list "the boink book:' The police have been ce ing a white‐cottar‐crime investigation, and the list of clit*4 become pivotal.
    "She wants our consideration," says Lam, "the ladyl lay down and roll over."

    "Excuse met' says Acosta. "Feed us some of the bigger fish," says Lama.
    "Oh," says the judge. "What the officer's trying to say:' says Gibbs,
    "is defendant is a key witness. She knows the identities of sig@,@
    public officials who have partaken of her services in ro' votes and other official acts."

    "So we're talking bribery!" says Acosta. "In a big way." Lama's nodding now as if the judge hoo' caught on. "What would you have me do, officer, package the felony trial just so that you can squeeze her a little, b'this‐your bald aflegationst' Acosta has a look of worl@ on his face.
    "In a word, yes." It is Lama at his deadpan best. "Your Honor, all we want is her cooperation." Gibbs@" put a face on it, tries to silence Lma before he can damage. "We are prepared to allow her to enter a plea to misdemeanor charge of prostitution, in return for her test, "I don't like this," I say. "If the state has evidenco client's complicity in other crimes, I have a right to see Honor."

    "You don't have a right to anything, counsel," Lam@ from the lip. "This information is confidenti . Ifs R&@, to do with the prosecution of your client.' ‐Well, excuse me," I say, "but I'd like something besides your word for that." verbally we have stopped around Acosta. I'm now toe to toe with Lama, my words directed down the line past Gibbs, who sits fidgeting in his chair, flustered by the eroding decorum. I ask Lama what he's doing here. I note that he did not make the arrest on my client. "I didn't know that the police department was acting as a mouthpiece for the DA these days."

    Gibbs is stung by the remark. He looks at me, an injured " *e * Lama begins to rise from his chair. F'Eissluogl, gentlemen‐‐enough." Acosta passes his hand over the desk like a prophet trying to calm the waters.
    "My client's not copping a plea, and she's certainly not testifying until I know more."

    Here the Coconut finally takes note of my presence. "Of course, of course, Mr. Madriani is correct." He smiles. I have given him i a