about his discoveries in DNA?”
“That was just scratching the surface.”
We talk some more about Timmerman’s work, though Sykes keeps pointing out that in recent months he was utilizing his lab at
home and keeping to himself. This doesn’t seem to fit in with the “collaborative” person Sykes described, but he doesn’t see
the contradiction, so I don’t point it out.
When it comes to the personal Walter Timmerman, Sykes is much less expansive. He professes to know little about Walter’s home
life, but his sense is that Walter could be a demanding husband and father.
“Had you met his wife?” I ask.
“Twice, but just to say hello. At industry dinners. Walter hated events like that, but he was receiving awards at both, so
he couldn’t get out of it.”
“What was your impression of her?”
He grins, but doesn’t look particularly happy. “She was a handful. Knew what she wanted, and how to get it. But Walter seemed
crazy about her.”
“With everything you know about Walter Timmerman, can you think of any reason someone would want him dead?”
He thinks about it for a moment. “Walter Timmerman was a person who pushed at the limits of science and knowledge. So who
might kill him? I guess someone with an interest in preserving those limits.”
Then he shrugs. “Or not. Who knows?”
I CALL K EVIN AT THE OFFICE , where he’s been wading through the discovery documents.
As bad as they are, he doesn’t seem too distressed about it. Most of the incriminating facts in there are those that Richard
has already alerted us to, so it’s not quite as awful as Kevin was fearing.
But it’s bad.
I decide not to go back to the office, since it might make me late for the arraignment. Hatchet wouldn’t look too fondly on
that, and I certainly don’t want to get on Hatchet’s bad side at the beginning of a murder case. Or at any other time, for
that matter.
Kevin is not going to join me at the arraignment. There would be nothing for him to do there anyway, and we’re better off
with him spending the time getting familiar with the facts of the case. Or at least those items that the prosecution considers
facts. Hopefully we’ll have a different interpretation.
My plan is to talk to Steven before the arraignment about some of the discovery information, but that plan is thwarted when
a screwup results in him being brought over too late for us to meet. We only have about thirty seconds before the hearing
starts, leaving me barely enough time to tell him what to expect, and how to behave.
It is rare that an arraignment is eventful, and this one doesn’t break any new ground. Richard states the charges clearly
and concisely, and tells Hatchet that the prosecution is current on providing discovery information.
Hatchet asks how Steven pleads, and he answers “not guilty” in an understandably shaky voice. If I were facing two charges
of murder in the first degree, I would barely be able to squeak.
I request bail, pointing out that Steven has never before been accused of a crime. Richard takes the opposite viewpoint, pointing
out the heinous nature of these particular crimes, and adding that a person of Steven’s means is a particular flight risk.
Hatchet disdainfully denies bail, as I knew he would. I can see Steven flinch when he hears it, even though I had told him
we had no chance to prevail and were basically going through the motions.
Richard requests a trial date in two months, and is clearly surprised when I agree to it. Steven has begged me to, since he
doesn’t want to spend one day longer than necessary in prison. He isn’t quite focusing on the fact that a loss at trial means
he’ll never leave that prison. Besides, I can always request a delay if it seems we won’t be ready.
It’s almost four o’clock, so my options are to go to the office or go home. Edna and Kevin are in the office, and Laurie is
at home. It’s not exactly a decision to
“That was just scratching the surface.”
We talk some more about Timmerman’s work, though Sykes keeps pointing out that in recent months he was utilizing his lab at
home and keeping to himself. This doesn’t seem to fit in with the “collaborative” person Sykes described, but he doesn’t see
the contradiction, so I don’t point it out.
When it comes to the personal Walter Timmerman, Sykes is much less expansive. He professes to know little about Walter’s home
life, but his sense is that Walter could be a demanding husband and father.
“Had you met his wife?” I ask.
“Twice, but just to say hello. At industry dinners. Walter hated events like that, but he was receiving awards at both, so
he couldn’t get out of it.”
“What was your impression of her?”
He grins, but doesn’t look particularly happy. “She was a handful. Knew what she wanted, and how to get it. But Walter seemed
crazy about her.”
“With everything you know about Walter Timmerman, can you think of any reason someone would want him dead?”
He thinks about it for a moment. “Walter Timmerman was a person who pushed at the limits of science and knowledge. So who
might kill him? I guess someone with an interest in preserving those limits.”
Then he shrugs. “Or not. Who knows?”
I CALL K EVIN AT THE OFFICE , where he’s been wading through the discovery documents.
As bad as they are, he doesn’t seem too distressed about it. Most of the incriminating facts in there are those that Richard
has already alerted us to, so it’s not quite as awful as Kevin was fearing.
But it’s bad.
I decide not to go back to the office, since it might make me late for the arraignment. Hatchet wouldn’t look too fondly on
that, and I certainly don’t want to get on Hatchet’s bad side at the beginning of a murder case. Or at any other time, for
that matter.
Kevin is not going to join me at the arraignment. There would be nothing for him to do there anyway, and we’re better off
with him spending the time getting familiar with the facts of the case. Or at least those items that the prosecution considers
facts. Hopefully we’ll have a different interpretation.
My plan is to talk to Steven before the arraignment about some of the discovery information, but that plan is thwarted when
a screwup results in him being brought over too late for us to meet. We only have about thirty seconds before the hearing
starts, leaving me barely enough time to tell him what to expect, and how to behave.
It is rare that an arraignment is eventful, and this one doesn’t break any new ground. Richard states the charges clearly
and concisely, and tells Hatchet that the prosecution is current on providing discovery information.
Hatchet asks how Steven pleads, and he answers “not guilty” in an understandably shaky voice. If I were facing two charges
of murder in the first degree, I would barely be able to squeak.
I request bail, pointing out that Steven has never before been accused of a crime. Richard takes the opposite viewpoint, pointing
out the heinous nature of these particular crimes, and adding that a person of Steven’s means is a particular flight risk.
Hatchet disdainfully denies bail, as I knew he would. I can see Steven flinch when he hears it, even though I had told him
we had no chance to prevail and were basically going through the motions.
Richard requests a trial date in two months, and is clearly surprised when I agree to it. Steven has begged me to, since he
doesn’t want to spend one day longer than necessary in prison. He isn’t quite focusing on the fact that a loss at trial means
he’ll never leave that prison. Besides, I can always request a delay if it seems we won’t be ready.
It’s almost four o’clock, so my options are to go to the office or go home. Edna and Kevin are in the office, and Laurie is
at home. It’s not exactly a decision to
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