First Court Appearance
Harvey and Mike were in the office early getting the updated information on the case. They added the evidence from the doctor to the file and made sure that the Child Protective Services report was completed as well. They had the first appearance in court today to determine if bail would be granted and what would be happening with the children. Both Harry and Dudley are in foster homes however as British citizens they may be sent back overseas when this is over.
Mike was hurrying to finish getting his tie on while Harvey watched from the side making sure they had everything in the briefcase.
“Ray has the car out front, come on time to go.” Harvey said as he put his jacket on. He was wearing a navy three-piece suit with a red tie and brown shoes and felt. He was court ready and confident.
“Okay so today is the bail hearing and the kids will be present. They want little Harry to sit on our side right behind us, I need Donna to come and sit next to him. They want little Dudley, who names their kid Dudley poor boy, to sit behind his parents as their lawyer is fighting for custody of Dudley to remain in the family.” Harvey said. Normally Donna wouldn’t come to the church, but the firm felt that she would provide extra support and comfort for the child.
They make the drive to the church going over last-minute facts. The case for Grunning's was not even going to be discussed today most likely the focus will remain on the child abuse. They got to the courthouse and fought through the reporters to get into the building. Harvey and Mike went straight to the side chamber where Donna, Frank and Haley were sitting with a child that looked way too small to be 9 years old.
“Hey little man, you must be Harry.” Harvey said, squatting down in front of the chair Harry was sitting in. “Do you remember me? We met on the airplane from London to New York. My name is Harvey, and this is my associate Mike, and my best friend and assistant Donna.” Harvey recognized Harry from the plane and felt his worry grow after remembering the neglect the family showed then.
“Hi Mr. Harvey, I remember you. This is Frank, he has been looking after me and his partner Haley.” Harry said, looking up through his fringe. He was peeking at Mike and Donna too and half hiding behind Harvey.
“Okay so here is what is going to happen. We are going to go in there, you will be sitting with Frank, Haley and my friend Donna. After the Judge is introduced, everyone is going to sit down then there will be a review of what needs to be discussed. I will be talking and then the other lawyer will be talking. If you have any questions, you can quietly ask Donna as long as it will not be disruptive. Do you have any questions now?”
“What if they want me to talk?” Harry asked. He was terrified about seeing the Dursleys again after everything that happened.
“They will have to talk to me, unless the judge asks you to speak it is okay that you do not.” Mike said. He was sitting a couple chairs away talking with Haley.
“Okay bud, do you need to use the bathroom or anything before we get called in?” Frank asked. When Harry hesitated, Frank decided that having him try would be best. He brought Harry into the bathroom where he went to the stall. Frank waited by the sinks for Harry to finish then walked together back to the side chamber.
About 20 minutes later they are all brought into the chamber where they all sat in their designated seats. Harvey, Mike and the president of Grunning's Justin Wright sit at the plaintiffs table to the right. Harry, Frank, Donna and Haley sit directly behind them in the first row of seats. To the left at the defendants table is Vernon and Petunia Dursley with their lawyer Joseph Sanders. Behind them is Dudley with the foster parents he is with Macie and Thomas O’Connor and another CPS worker. The officers that were at the house were also sitting behind Harry and his group.
As the lawyers and officers filed in and took their seats and some members of the public as well. Everyone stood up when the clerk and court reporter entered from the side chamber. They all stood until Judge Mark Murphy entered and signaled for everyone to be seated.
The trial began with the judge laying out the facts, Vernon Dursley was arrested, along with his wife Petunia, on charges of child abuse, child neglect, assault and more to be added later. They went over the basics of the case against Grunning’s as well.
“Due to the nature of the charges Harvey Spector has filed for the accused to be held without bond. We will hear from each side and then I will be questioning Mr. Vernon Dursley and Mrs. Petunia Dursley nee Evans.” Judge Murphy said.
“Mr. Vernon Dursley is an upstanding British citizen. He had no criminal record and after being forced to take in his wife’s nephew as a baby did all that he could to provide for his family. He assured me that his nephew is a delinquent and often gets into fights. That is where the injuries came from.” The defense attorney argued. It was clear that his client had lied to him.
“Vernon Dursley has been under investigation for tax fraud for a month now, his boss called in help. They have evidence of not only tax fraud, but child abuse and neglect as well. He is a man who will argue with everyone and bully those who disagree with him. He has clearly taught his own child the same way as the minor Dudley admitted to playing Harry Hunting, where he would chase and then beat his cousin Harry, along with his group of friends. Vernon is an aggressive man who takes out his aggression on his family. He would try to leave the country at the first chance he could so we cannot afford to let him off on bond.” Harvey argued. Harry sat back with Donna watching everything, amazed at how calm Harvey was, while watching his uncle's face turn purple.
“We have heard both sides, I am now going to call Vernon to the stand so I can ask him some questions. Mr. Vernon Dursley, please come up to the stand.” She waited for him to come lumbering up and had him sworn in. “Will you make sure to show up at your trial in the future?”
“Now see here, I am a British citizen, you cannot hold me here. I am going to be going home as soon as I can with my family.” Vernon bolstered.
“Okay, that is a no, Mr. Dursley if we were to release you, your child would not be with you. Until the trial he will be put into foster care. I just want to make that clear and you are to have no contact with him.” Judge Murphy said.
When Vernon started yelling about how they couldn't take his son from him and how he would sue them the courthouse guards took him from the room. He turned before the door looking straight at Harry. “This is your fault you freak!! I should have drowned you when you were left on our doorstep like I wanted to! You ruined our family!!” Vernon yelled. Harry had curled into himself while Donna and Frank and quickly scooped up the child and brought him out of the room.
Harvey and Mike quickly finished the session when the Judge granted Harvey’s request of Vernon and Petunia being held without bail until their trial. They took Harry back to the office where they met in Harvey’s office to talk over what happened.