LITMIR.BIZ

      Micah Fleming’s wife, Anita, offered to drive her car and take them to court on the day assigned. Jacob, Amos Snader, Isaac Slabough and Moses Yoder gratefully accepted her offer and dressed in their best to be in town.

      Each wore the traditional black trousers, white shirt and black hat. They didn’t know what to do about money until the judge would tell them if there was to be a fine.

      The men sat stoically on a bench behind the Amish young men. Lawrence was ashamed to look at his father and knew what he would have to face at home when, and if, he got out of here. Kyle was so battered that Jacob thought it would be impossible to charge him with an assault. The others sat with heads down and showing fear of the unknown. They knew they had been taught not to lift a hand in anger or say anything in an angry manner.

      The young men from town were brought in and seated on another bench on the same side of the room as the Amish. Darren Kennedy smirked as he passed the Amish. Conrad Bolling, Denver Whitmore, Ashley Wilkins, Douglas Winthrop, Marshall Porter, Alan Barkley, Earl Staunton, Abner Washington and Liam McDonald walked in looking smug and satisfied with themselves. After all, they lived in the town and those Amish were not wanted and had no business being in town, they thought.

      The bailiff called the court to order and announced that Judge Melinda Pierson would be presiding. The Amish men look startled that a woman was on the bench. They began to feel doubtful about the outcome. Surely a town woman would favor the town boys.

      Judge Pierson cracked the gavel and announced that she would not stand for any disrespect toward the court or toward anyone in the court. She reminded them that this was not a trial but a meeting to decide if there would be a court case and what would be expected. She asked the bailiff, Bill White to bring Sheriff Micah Fleming to the stand.

      It was difficult to tell from the sheriff’s face how he felt. He gave his full name and title. The judge asked him to proceed.

      “Last Saturday, July 23rd, I was working on my report to the town council when Pete Mulanaugh came rushing into my office. Pete owns the Tasty Bite Restaurant across the street from the court house. He said there was a big fight going on and he had observed young men from town harassing and taunting some Amish boys. He didn’t see how the fight started but was sure the Amish had not started it because everyone knows they are peaceful. I got my hat and ran out calling for Deputy John Lynn and Deputy Roy Braun to follow. When I ran the two blocks and got where I could see, I saw one young man haul off and kick the stuffing out of a young man on the ground. He was Amish and badly hurt. I ran up and ordered them to stop. A couple of the boys from town ran and I didn’t get them. My deputies came with two vehicles and I arrested everyone until I could make sense out of the disgraceful brawl. The Amish young men have been respectful and mannerly. The town young men have been arrogant, loud, quarrelsome and hard to contend with.”

      The judge thanked the sheriff and dismissed him. He left the witness stand and sat in the court room. The judge looked sternly at all the boys on the front benches. She then asked the bailiff to call Pete Mulanaugh to come to the witness chair.

      Pete got up from the back of the court room and came forward. He, too, was sworn in and settled nervously to answer questions.

      He knew if he angered the town parents, his business would suffer, but he also knew that God had commanded to not give false testimony.

      The judge smiled and said, “Mr. Mulanaugh, we apologize for taking you away from your business, however, I need for you to tell us how you first observed this --- this--disgraceful occurrence.”

      “Yes, your honor, I’ll be happy to tell you what I can. I own the Tasty Bite Restaurant across the street from the courthouse. I’m thankful to have such good business from both the people in town

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