CHAPTER 14

Attorney Alfred was standing outside of the cell. The guard opened the door and Alfred walked in.

" How do you feel omar ?"

" O'kay, me think " he mumbled

" We're on our way to court."

Omar rose and looked round the vacant cell.

" Are you ready?"

" Yes" Omar heaved out a sigh " me is in Sha Allah (if God wills)"

" Listen son, don't be nervous, just take it easy."

" Me no won' sit alone, me sit with you please"

" Sure. We will sit together,right at the same table. I'll be there throughout the entire trial. So there is nothing to be scared about".

A guard led him outside the door. The corridor was lined with policemen. It was silent. He was placed between two policemen and his wrist were shackled to theirs.  Black and White faces peered at him from behind steel bars. He walked stiffly and timidly between the policemen; ahead of him walked six more. They led him to an elevator that took him to an underground passage. They walked through a long stretch of narrow tunnel; the sound of their feet echoed in the stillness. They reached another elevator and rode up and walked the hallway crowded with excited people and policemen. They passed a window and Omar caught a quick glimpse of vast crowd of people standing behind closely formed lines. he was taken into a room, Alfred led the way to a table. After the handcuffs were unlocked, Omar sat, flanked by policemen . Softly, Alfred laid his hand upon Omar's knee.

"We've got just few minutes" Alfred said

" Hmm" he mumbled. His eyes were half closed, his head leaned slightly to one side.

" You will have to say something when asked "

" Here?"

" Yes, but i will ---- "

" Me no won' say no thing"

" I'm trying to save your life ----"

" What me say ? They gon' kill me, you kno' they gon' kill me "

" But you have to tell them the truth "

" Will me get up?"

" Yes "

" No" he shaked his head refusing .

" If you are not guilty then stay strong and tell them the truth Omar, I'm trying to help" he nodded and stayed calm. Believing in his poor self that he could do it.

He looked about, yes, there was his mother, brother and sister; they were staring at him. There were many faces  he recognized from his neighborhood and some that he had never seen before. All gathered to witness his shame. The old, hot choking sensation came back to his stomach and throat. Why could they not just shoot him and get over with it? They were going to kill him, so why make him go through all this?

A harsh hollow voice startled him, taking him away from his thoughts into reality. The man banged on a wooden table.

"Everybody rise!"

They all obeyed and rose up. The judge walked in through a rear door and sat behind a high pulpit- like railing. They all resumed back to sit. Omar saw the judge look towards the prosecuting lawyer, then to Alfred. They both rose and went forward, they talked a moment to the judge in low voices and then each went back to their seat. A man sitting below the judge rose and began reading a long paper in a voice so thick that Omar barely heard him.

" Indictment number 666- 894 ---- the state vs Omar Imran.

" Is the defendant ready to enter a plea to this indictment?"

Alfred rose "No your honor, my client Omar Imran pleads not guilty"

" May I know your reasons?"

" If you permit me your honor"

" Proceed"

" Thank you your honor. my client here comes from a poor home, yes, but he is from a decent family. Even his neighbors that are not from his faith attested to his good qualities. He has never had any criminal records before. he was at work that day at Dr Christopher's farm when he was called by him to join him on a ride. My client was not in the car with him when he was killed----"

" That is a defense of insanity" the prosecuting lawyer, max, shouted.

" Objection your honor" Alfred screamed

" Objection overruled, you may continue "

" He was the only one there with him that day, he have no value for human life but filled with hatred for whites. In his written statement your honor, he agreed to despise whites and feared being Among them. He killed Christopher out of jealousy and hate."

" Objection your honor" Alfred screamed again

" Objection sustained"

" Why would my client kill someone who had been to him very kind and to his family. If he had plans of harming someone who had done nothing to him but good, why didn't he kill him before, he has worked for Dr Christopher for over months and nothing happened to him until that day, this is a plot to make my client guilty of a crime he did not commit"

"Your honor," Max rose up to say "Christopher was known to be a good hearted philanthropist. A man that loves and helps everyone. He was blinded to the evil of this colored man not until his death. If  your honor will permit me, I will like to submit a witness and evidence "

" You may!"

" Thank you your honor"

A white man walked in, Omar recognized him at once, it's Steven, his co- worker, that hated him so much.

" Your honor, this man here works with Omar in Christopher's farm"

He was giving a Bible to swear an oath before commencing questioning.

" What would you say about Omar ?"

" He is very arrogant and quick tempered. He almost fought with me once but I reminded calm to avoid any form of violence. He is a man of no good quality "

" Where did he go that day with Christopher?"

" No one knew, he never told us anything and neither did Dr Christopher did as well. I was the closest person to Dr Christopher, but he never told where he was going that day" 

" Have you ever seen a gun with Omar before ?"

" Yes, a lot of times, when I ask him he refuses to talk, he just walks away "

" That will be all Steven, thank you for your time"

" Why would a man kill another and leave his traces known, it is not possible" Alfred rose and say.

" It is very possible" Max replied " especially when that person is an illiterate like this one. And to prove that he did it, here is the gun, tests had been ran many times but only Omar's fingerprints were found on it. What other prove do we need, that this man here is a murderer and should face the penalty for his crime. Thank you your honor"

There was a long argument which Omar did not understand. The judge called both lawyers forward to the railing and they talked for over an hour, finally they went back to their seats.

" This case has been adjourned. Arise!"

   ***************

Alfred took the papers From Jack Mississippi report that came yesterday, from Sharon Roberts, editor of the daily star, regarding Omar Imran. The editor writes;

"Omar comes from a destitute darky family of shiftless and immoral variety. He was raised here and is known to local residents as a poor mechanic.

"Our experience have with such depraved types of negroes has shown that only the death penalty inflicted in a public and dramatic manner, has any influence upon their peculiar mentality. Had that nigger lived in Mississippi and committed such a crime, no authority could have saved him from death at the hands of indignant citizens.

"when negroes becomes resentful over imagined wrongs, nothing brings them to their senses so quickly as when citizens take the law into their hands and make an example out of a trouble making nigger.

"We of the south believe that the North encourages negroes to more education than they are organically capable of absorbing, with the result that northern negroes are generally more unhappy and restless than those of the south. if only separate schools were maintained and segregation in work areas are practised, it would be fairly easy to limit the negroes, preventing them from harming innocent white citizens of the state. "

He dropped the papers on his desk, he could not read anymore. They were going to kill him, Alfred knows that. He can't win, not when an affluent figure has been murdered. The public, the media, all support Omar's death. And there is a prove to back their accusations. His words can't win against an evidence. He heaved out a sigh and combed his hair backwards with his hands, resting them at the back of his neck. He didn't want to be the defending lawyer anymore, he was going to loose this case. " Peter shouldn't have involved me in this" he complained to himself, " I'm going to call him right now" he picked up his telephone, dialed his number waiting for a response he didn't get until after the third ring.

" Hello Attorney"

" Hello officer Peter"

" Is there a problem?"

" Yes, we can't win this case"

" Why did you say so?"

" Where you not at court? You heard everything, not even a single witness to support him, the best we can do, is to plead guilty in court. That way he will be sentenced to imprisonment for a long term. But he won't be killed".

" Omar won't plead guilty"

" Why?"

" He always says that he doesn't lie, he will not accept a crime he claims not to commit"

" We have no other choice, this is to save his life, we will be going to court 30 minutes from now, don't you read the papers? The whole of south Chicago is against him"

" What can we do to prove him innocent?"

" This is the best we can. They have an evidence, we don't, there is no way we are going to win"

" I really don't know what to say"

" I do, we are pleading guilty in court"

        *******************

A policeman entered his cot, dropping  his trousers and shabby sleeve shirt on the floor and ordered

" Get dress boy! You will be taken to court soon"

Immediately his heart skipped, he gulped down his saliva out of fear for what he was just informed. He nodded and picked them up from the floor, putting them on sluggishly. He heard the fast beating of his heart. This was it, his fate was going to be decided today, Helen and Alfred promised to help,he believed them but how ? He had odd feelings that he was going to die. He smiled, dropping a tear that he wiped off quickly.

" No do this today Omar, no fears " he advised himself

" Are you ready! ?"  An officer screamed.

" Yes " he retorted and joined them outside. He was escorted by some officers into the court room. The moment he made his appearance known, there were loud whispers

" The son of a bitch"

" He killed him, he is a beast "

He ducked his head disregarding  the faces of the people sitting, he sit solidly trying not to let the crowd detect any fear in him. When he raised his head, he saw hatred in the eyes of the jurors towards him. If these were the ones to make a verdict of his case, then he is doom to death.

" Omar! " He heard a soft voice call, when he turned back he saw his mother, sister and Hassan. He faked a smile and turned away from them. His heart throbbed, he didn't want them here.

The judge walked in, they all rose till he was seated before resuming their seats.

" Let the accuse come to the stand!"

Alfred looked at him and made a nod, he understood what he meant, got up and walked to the pulpit.

" Omar Imran, you have been charged for the murder of Dr Christopher, evidence has been shown in respect to this claim. A gun was found in the car that has your fingerprint on it, you were the only one with him that day, on one knew where he was not even his wife lady Morgana. If you are innocent of this crime like you claim, why did you hide yourself knowing his death?"

" Can I answer that for my client your honor?"

" I believe he can speak for himself"

" Me be black, a Muslim, me be poor, me no Kno' read or good in englis . No one beliv if me talk, so me run to help me self"

" Did your escape help you now? You only ran because you didn't want to be penalized for your crime."

" My client pleads guilty your honor"

" Me no guilty, me no do it!"

" Same words criminal, same words "

" Can I have a word with my client your honor?"

The judge nodded

" Omar you need to plead guilty, we cannot win this "

" Me never say me do a thing me no do"

" This is the best way Omar, they will give you imprisonment but not death"

"No!"

" Have you conclude with your client?"

" My client awaits your judgement, your honor"

" Let the jurors make their verdict"

After 20 minutes, waiting for the jurors final say, they came to a conclusion.

" The jurors finds you guilty. Omar Imran, the court hereby sentence you to death by electrocution"

" Objection your honor!" A little voice screamed from behind .

" My brother is not guilty, he didn't do it " Hassan said sobbingly. Kwairah pulled him back to his seat. Hauwa was too fazed to say anything, she covered her mouth to prevent herself from screaming, letting her tears roll down in turns. Omar turned towards his family and dropped his face, before being dragged away by the officers.

They returned him back to his cell, he heard the feet of the men walking away softly. The door opened and shut. He was alone, profoundly, inescapably. He rolled on the cold floor and sobbed, Wondering how his life turned out this way, he lay on the cold floor sobbing, he waited to stand strongly, he felt no contrite to anything, why would the life of blacks be controlled by the whites, staring with a wondering question, he lay on the cold floor sobbing, but really he was only pushing forward with punny strength against a world too big and too strong for him. He lay on the floor sobbing.

He wept because he had once again trusted another, even when he shouldn't, even when he knew the hope they instil in him will not be and now they betrayed that trust, letting him to die a horrible way. Why should he have felt the need to try to make his feeling known? And why did not he hear echoes, but always they were couched in tones which living as a negro he could not answer or accept without losing face with the world which had first evoked in him the song of manhood.

By morning he would face that which he feared for a long time. The door opened, Helen, Alfred and his family walked in. He didn't want to see them, his heart throbbed to see  them, the sight of them made him felt worse. But maybe he was only lying to himself, maybe he wanted to see the faces of the ones that loves him, no matter what the society said of him. The very last time to be with his family but it hurts, it hurts to see them for the last time, it hurt not to be part of kwairah's wedding, it hurt not see Hassan grow, it hurt to see his mother watch him die.

" You tell me, you will be always here for me, you promise not to leave me Omar!" Hassan said in tears but Omar was too sad to reply, he buried his head on the floor.

" Why can't they believe him? Why not give him another chance? Why ma'am ?" He asked Helen who couldn't hold back her tears too

" I'm sorry Hassan, I'm so sorry"

" Lawyer, can't they give him another chance ?"

" I'm sorry son, i wish they would "

" All of you don't care, he is my only brother! And now he will die too?" He wailed in pain.

Hauwa raised her hand, looking at the ceiling.

" Inalilahi wa Ina ilaihi rajiun (from God we came to thee we shall return) she repeated this several times.

" Me huzband die, now me son? Why no take me instead Allah(God) why no take me ?" She whined with unceasing tears. It was too much for Omar to bear, he stood up and hugged his mother tight for a while before letting go.

" I'm sorry that I couldn't help you son" Alfred apologized

" You be good man, thank you, thank you too ma'am "

" You all have to leave now!" A policeman ordered.

" I will not leave my brother!"

" Okay " Helen replied the policeman dragging Hassan to herself.

" Leave me alone!, they will kill my brother, tell them not to kill my brother!"

He watched them crying out as they leave his cell. He tried to cry too but nothing rolled down his cheeks, his eyes got to weak to cry.

*************

Staring at the ceiling, counting down the hours to his death. He remembered the times he spent with his family, when his father was alive. He reminisce about the happy times they shared and the hope they had for the future. But death took his father away, and now that death will separate him from his mother and siblings too. He closed his eyes and opened them, he saw the dim light that displayed outside." Even morning can no wait to see me die". He lift himself up, leaning his back at the wall. The door opened and closed, A policeman walked in " in an hour time you will be taken out " he nodded with a throbbing heart. He lied back on his cot upon his stomach, grieving over his doom. Morning dawned bright and warm, his death is close, he knows. He knelt down on the floor, repeating these words sobbingly

" Iqbal Ruhi Ya Rabbi (accept my soul O' Lord) ".

His door opened again,

" You have 30 minutes left"

" Can you help me? please"

" What can I do for you murderer?"

" Me won' eat me best food, befor' me die"

The policeman chuckled" seriously, all you care is to eat?"

" Yes" he mumbled dropping a tear.

" What do you want to eat?"

" Rice"

The policeman chuckled again " I will get for you"

Omar wasn't hungry, his stomach tightened but not for hunger but fear. He demanded it because that was what his mother always gave to him. In no time the policeman brought a tray, with the meal he requested. The tray was placed in front of him without a spoon so he was forced to use his bare hands. his hand vibrated to fear, to him he was eating but he really wasn't at all, his shaky hands couldn't grab a thing.

" Be fast nigger, you have no time!"

That made his heart beat fast, fast that he could hear it loud.

" Time up!" One of them said grabbing him on his collar up. They took him to the bathroom, got his head and legs shaved and escorted him out and seated him on the chair. His arms and legs were tightly strapped with leather belts to restrict him from moving. A cap with a brine was fixed to his head and electrodes were attached to his shaved legs. Just before they blindfolded him he heard a screeching voice, Hassan's.

" Let im go, let my brother go!" He yelled in tears. Peter was there, he pulled him over and held him tight to himself. The police man blindfolded Omar and asked

" Do you have any last statement?"

" Hassan, remember this, remember"

Permission was given to proceed execution. Various cycles of high voltage of alternating current were passed through him, That caused a fatal damage to his internal organs. After the cycles were complete, Omar dropped his head on his shoulder dead.