1
“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez,…” The bailiff chanted, “…Criminal court in and for the County of Los Angeles is now in session, The Honorable Justice Alvaro Talamantes (TAL-A-MON-TAYS) presiding. God save the United States of America. Please be seated.”
The Judge entered the courtroom from his chambers and took his seat behind the bench. Talamantes was a forty-four year old man of Spanish descent. A man of average height and build, he was also what most women and undoubtedly some men might categorize as strikingly handsome. He had that unmistakable malado skin color topped by his jet black hair, highlighted with wisps of silver along the temples. Charismatic and obsessively charming to the ladies, the man was always meticulously coiffed and dressed. Born in Venezuela and raised in California, he was fluent in both English and Spanish, however, the Anglo side always took a back seat when playing up the ladies, which for him was an ongoing pursuit.
Although married with one teenage girl, he was widely known as the consummate ladies man, a reputation he continually and boldly embraced. This behavior had little impact with the female staff working inside the court house, because they knew him for the degenerate he was and steered clear at all costs. Behind the façade of a caring and compassionate professional, sat a man whose behavior, on a regular basis, was boorish and lewd. Women new to the courthouse or those just visiting, were initially swept off their feet, until they realized what a sexual predator he truly was. Talamantes, from a judicial point of view was also one of the most liberal judges when it came to trials and punishments. His leniency toward offenders before his court was well documented, especially crimes involving the abuse of women.
“Mr. Powell, Ms. Countiss…” he began, giving the Prosecutor a quick glance, opting to focus his gaze more at the Defense Attorney in an all too familiar head to toe leer. He demanded that all female lawyers conducting business in his court room should wear dresses or skirts. Pant suits or slacks were not acceptable. They obviously knew they could challenge his edicts on their attire, but were also fully aware that their case would be weakened considerably by doing so. The court room was Talamantes’ fiefdom and he was the supreme ruler. Countiss wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of acknowledgement. She despised the man.
“…It would appear the jury has reached a verdict. Bailiff, would you bring in the jury, please.” The door to the ante room opened and twelve people entered the court room in single file, taking their seats in the designated pews, six in front and six behind. There were eight men and four women ranging in age from mid-thirties to late fifties. Attorneys often tried
