The primary aim of the "Novel Excerpts" blog category is to showcase my creative writing, specifically from the novels I've written. Hopefully, these posts will provide a glimpse into my storytelling style, themes, and narrative skills. It's an opportunity to share my artistic expressions and the worlds I've created through my novels.
The Boaz Scorekeeper, written in 2017, is my second novel. I'll post it a chapter a day over the next few weeks.
The forensic evidence found in James’ Impala and the information provided by Fitz Billingsley played a significant role in Greg’s ability to bring formal charges.
By mid-morning, February 8, 2018, a Federal Grand Jury Indicted Wade Tillman and James Adams for the kidnapping and capital murder of Gina Tillman, and for their conduct regarding Alma Castenada, one capital charge for conspiracy to kidnap by violence for sexual exploitation. They were also indicted on four counts of conspiracy against rights (18 U.S.C. § 241).
The same Grand Jury indicted Boaz Police officers Chris Anderson, Paul Thomas, and Edward Hall for four counts of violent interference with federally protected rights (18 U.S.C. § 245), and four counts of conspiracy against rights (18 U.S.C. § 241). Statute 18 U.S.C. § 245 makes it a crime to use, or threaten to use, force to willfully interfere with any person because of race, color, religion, or national origin and because the person is participating in a federally protected activity, such as public education, employment, jury service, travel, or the enjoyment of public accommodations, or helping another person to do so. Statute 18 U.S.C. § 241 makes it unlawful for two or more persons to conspire to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in any state, territory, or district in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him or her by the Constitution or the laws of the U.S.
Greg failed to secure an indictment for the hate crime murders of Vincent Prader and his wife Helga Katz committed in 1946. Four of the actual killers, Eugene Adams, Samuel Radford, Farris Billingsley, and Benjamin Ericson, were all dead, having died in the 80s and 90s. The fifth killer, 106-year-old Rudolph Tillman, survived, but for some unknown reason, Greg had refused to pursue prosecution. Finally, the Grand Jury had refused to indict David Adams and Franklin Ericson, although Greg had presented evidence they were present and played some role in the murders.
Greg and Marshall County District Attorney Charles Abbott had perfectly choreographed their respective grand juries to issue indictments on the same day. The only difference was the Federal indictments were issued in the morning and the State indictments during the afternoon.
DA Abbott had little trouble securing a 19-count indictment against Walter Tillman, Franklin Ericson, Raymond Radford, and David Adams for extortion and embezzlement. DA Abbott called Fitz Billingsley to appear before the Marshall County Grand Jury. He testified that he procured the cyanide that was used in the murders of Bill and Nellie Murray, and Harold Maples. Fitz described how he gave the cyanide to David and Raymond and about the plan they devised. Fitz even furnished documentation showing when and where he purchased the poison. For some unknown reason the Grand Jury indicted David and Raymond for the murder of Harold Maples, but voted against charging them for the deaths of Bill and Nellie Murray. Undeterred, DA Abbott pressed on another hour and a few minutes before 5:00 p.m. secured one final indictment against David and Raymond. This time for the death of young Shawn Taylor in 1973.
The Pencil-Driven Life 