“The defense likewise believes that Your Honor can impartially preside over this case,” he says.

“Very well, then,” Judge Gold says. “It’s always nice at the beginning of a case when everyone thinks the judge is fair. It’s only when I start ruling that one side or the other starts complaining. Of course, I know I’ve done my job well when each side complains equally.”

Some titters come from the gallery. Burrows and I laugh too, even though the Judge’s remark was not very funny. Dana manages only a grim smile.

“As you might have heard,” Judge Gold continues, “the case right before you just pled out. I had that trial on my calendar for next month, and blocked out two weeks for it. I’m going to slide you into that slot. If need be, I can open my calendar for the week after that too, although that runs some risk of taking us into the Christmas and New Year’s period, but I think that’ll give us more than enough time to get through everything. I realize it’s fast, but would starting on December fourteenth work for everyone?”

I have never in my career gone from indictment to prosecution on a felony charge, never mind a murder case, in less than four months. Judge Gold is proposing that I do it in less than four weeks.

Burrows knows not to look a gift horse in the mouth. As quickly as he can, he says, “The defense will be ready on the fourteenth.”

I’m not so accommodating. “As the court is aware, I have only recently been assigned to this matter, and am acting as a special prosecutor. I do appreciate the court’s desire to move this case along as quickly as possible—”

I know from my first words that I’ve made a mistake. Judge Gold is looking down at me with a scowl.

“Let me stop you there, Ms. Broden. The answer I’m looking for is ‘yes.’ I make it a hard and fast rule not to allow the prosecution to delay a trial. You people on the left side of caption can take as long as you want to prepare your case prior to obtaining an indictment. As a result, I presume that when the District Attorney obtains one, the office is ready to go to trial on that day, and only the defense needs time to prepare. Are you telling me that was not the case with regard to Ms. Goodwin?”

I have no choice but to take the tongue-lashing. When he’s finished, I say, “My apologies, Your Honor. The People are ready to proceed on the court’s schedule.”

“Excellent,” Judge Gold says. “Anything else on either of your agendas today?”

“Nothing for the prosecution,” I say.

“Nor for the defense,” Burrows adds quickly.

“Very well, then,” Judge Gold says. “I will see you all on the fourteenth for trial.”

42. DANA GOODWIN

42.

DANA GOODWIN