“Twisting the facts? I have said nothing that isn’t true, and the detective in this case acted in accordance with—”

The judge held up her hand. “I’ve heard enough. Nice try, Mr. Graham, but it was a custodial interrogation the moment he told him he wasn’t free to leave. The video and confession are out. As to the change of venue request, I am denying that, Mr. Pritcher.”

“Your Honor, given my client’s . . . reputation in the community, we feel it would be best were we to take this case to a more anonymous venue. I would ask the court to reconsider.”

“So reconsidered and still denied. As far as removing Mr. Graham from the case, the only argument of the many you cited that I found somewhat persuasive is that Mr. Graham also has a certain reputation in the community, and garnering a conviction may seem more important than seeking justice.” She looked at me. “Mr. Graham, a prosecutor is a minister of justice and should at all times keep justice in mind. If this case is somehow a publicity stunt for you to show the world, I don’t know, that you can jump to the other side and still win, I promise, the sanctions I impose will not be pleasant. Having said that, if you want to leave this case, now is the time to tell me. No harm, no foul.”

“No, Your Honor, I’m in all the way.”

“Very well. Then I’m denying the motion to recuse Mr. Graham from the case.” She looked to Steven’s attorney. “Mrs. Boyce, I am granting the same orders for your motions. Though the detective in that instance did not state something as clearly as your client not being free to leave yet, the totality of the circumstances informed this court that a reasonable person in Mr. Brown’s place would’ve felt they were in custody. Your motion for venue change and removal of Mr. Graham are also denied. Thank you, everyone, for your time.”

I tapped the desk with my knuckles and turned to see Jia sitting behind me.

“You expected as much,” she said.

“Yeah, but still sucks to lose at anything. Not exactly my thing, if you know what I mean.”

She looked over as Pritcher whispered something to Anderson, and then he said, “Your Honor, one more thing, we would like my client to be arraigned today and to set the quickest jury trial date possible.”

Steven’s attorney stood up and said, “We would concur in that request, Your Honor.”

After a preliminary hearing, or stipulation by the defense that they would waive it, the court had to give the client another arraignment, informing them of their rights and that the case was bound over now for trial. Usually the arraignment happened at a later date to allow the parties to exchange evidence and debate any motions that might be filed.