Chapter 18: Bond Hearing

The courtroom assigned for bond hearings inside George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse was already half full by the time Damian entered.

It was just past 9:00 a.m.

The air carried that familiar courthouse blend of old wood, polished floors, and tension. Deputies stood near the walls. A few families whispered in the back rows. Public defenders shuffled files. Prosecutors spoke in low, efficient tones.

Clara followed Damian to the defense table.

Twenty Shots was brought in through the side door moments later, wrists cuffed in front, waist chain secured, ankles shackled. The cuffs were removed before he sat beside Damian.

He leaned slightly toward him.

“You sure about this?”

Damian did not look at him.

“Sit straight. Hands folded when addressed. Do not interrupt anyone. If you need to say something, whisper. Let me do the talking.”

Twenty nodded once.

At precisely 9:15, the bailiff stepped forward.

“All rise.”

The courtroom stood.

Judge Helena Vance entered from chambers, black robe flowing behind her. Mid-forties. Controlled posture. No wasted movement. She took her seat and scanned the room with a calm, assessing gaze, her eyes pausing the moment they fell on Damian.

’Stunning.’

That was the only word that could describe the dashing young man in her sight. It took her a moment, but she quickly composed herself and carried on.

“Be seated.”

Files were called rapidly at first. It started with minor cases and routine bonds. Thankfully, Judge Vance delivered quick rulings, and it reached their turn not long after.

“People of the State of Illinois versus Declan Dwayne, also known as Twenty Shots.”

A quiet ripple passed through the gallery. This was the main event of today’s show. Twenty rose with Damian.

“Good morning, Your Honor,” Damian said smoothly.

“Good morning, counsel,” Judge Vance replied, eyes briefly resting on him before shifting to the prosecutor. “State, your position?”

Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Ruiz stood.

“Your Honor, the defendant is charged with first-degree murder under 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1). The State is seeking detention pending trial.”

Clara noted the phrasing.

’Seeking detention.’

Under the new Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, cash bail had been eliminated. The prosecution now had to argue that no set of conditions could reasonably ensure public safety or prevent willful flight.

Judge Vance nodded.

“Proceed.”

Ruiz approached the lectern.

“On the evening of June 14th, the defendant allegedly discharged a firearm multiple times outside a South Side nightclub, striking and killing Marcus Vale. Surveillance footage places the defendant at the scene. Two witnesses identify him as the shooter. The State contends the proof is evident and the presumption great.”

He paused briefly.

“Furthermore, the defendant has prior felony convictions involving unlawful possession of a firearm. He is a documented gang affiliate. The State argues he poses a real and present threat to the safety of the community.”

The judge glanced at her file.

“Any history of failing to appear?”

Ruiz checked.

“One prior failure to appear in 2017, later resolved.”

“Very well. Defense?”

Damian rose calmly and buttoned his jacket.

“Your Honor, the State’s argument is dramatic, but incomplete.”

He stepped toward the lectern.

“First, the alleged surveillance footage does not capture the shooting itself. It shows my client outside the establishment earlier in the evening. That is not a crime.”

Ruiz shifted slightly.

“Second, the so-called eyewitness identifications were made during a highly suggestive show-up procedure conducted in poor lighting conditions. We will be filing a motion to suppress those identifications.”

Judge Vance leaned forward slightly.

“Counsel, today we are addressing detention, not suppression.”

“Of course, Your Honor. I raise it only to address the State’s claim that proof is evident and the presumption great.”

He continued smoothly.

“My client is a lifelong resident of Cook County. His mother and two younger siblings are present in court today.” Damian gestured subtly toward the gallery. “He maintains steady income through legitimate music production work. He voluntarily surrendered upon learning of the warrant.”

“We propose strict electronic monitoring. Home confinement. Firearm prohibition. Daily reporting if necessary.”

At this point, Ruiz’s expression hardened.

“He does not pose a willful flight risk. He has significant community ties. And under the Pretrial Fairness framework, detention is reserved for defendants where no combination of conditions can mitigate risk.”

Damian paused and let the words settle. By this time, the entire room was buzzing, and even Twenty stared at him in awe. This white boy had clearly exceeded his expectations.

Even Clara stared at Damian’s back with dreamy eyes. She reminisced about the very first trial she watched him handle, the one that made her heart throb. Watching him speak now brought back the same feelings.

On the other side of the room, the edges of Judge Vance’s lips curled slightly. This pretty face came with brains too.

’God really took his time making this one,’ she thought.

Ruiz immediately rose.

“Your Honor, the seriousness of the offense alone justifies detention. A man is dead.”

Damian turned slightly.

“And seriousness alone is not the statutory standard.”

The room fell silent. Ruiz stared at Damian, his hands balling into fists while his eyes narrowed. On the other side of the room, Damian had no emotion on his face. His stare was blank.

Observers in the gallery watched the cold standoff between the two. Cameras flashed and many held their breath. Twenty glanced between them, a wide grin on his face. He never thought a court proceeding could be so exciting.

“Counsel, refrain from arguing over each other,” Judge Vance interjected, shattering the ice with a single sentence.

“Yes, Your Honor,” they both replied.

Ruiz resumed.

“The defendant’s alleged gang affiliation suggests ongoing risk. Electronic monitoring does not stop someone from pulling a trigger.”

Damian responded evenly.

“Respectfully, Your Honor, allegations of affiliation are not convictions. And the State has presented no evidence of ongoing violent conduct since this incident.”

The judge studied Twenty carefully, then her gaze shifted to Damian. This young man… She liked the way he talked, the sound of his voice, his body language, and everything she had seen so far. Most importantly, his argument was sound.

He had basically given Ruiz a one-sided beating. This was the first time she had seen anyone do that to Ruiz.

“Mr. Dwayne, step forward,” Judge Vance finally spoke.

Twenty stood.

“Have you reviewed the State’s petition for detention?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you understand the charges against you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you understand that if I grant detention, you will remain in custody pending trial?”

“Yes.”

She watched him closely, measuring his demeanor.

“Very well. You may step back.”

He returned beside Damian, and Judge Vance turned back to counsel.

“The Court must determine whether the State has shown by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or the community, and whether no conditions can mitigate that threat.”

She paused.

“The alleged offense is serious. However, seriousness alone does not mandate detention.”

“Your Honor, an eyewitness identified him,” Ruiz spoke up.

“Identification we intend to challenge,” Damian replied calmly.

The judge lifted a hand slightly.

“I have heard enough.”

Silence filled the room as Judge Vance folded her hands.

“The Court finds that while the charged offense is severe, the State has not demonstrated that no set of conditions can mitigate the alleged threat.”

Ruiz stiffened slightly.

“Accordingly, the Court will deny the petition for pretrial detention.”

A faint exhale escaped Twenty’s lips as he shut his eyes and clenched his fists.

“Mr. Dwayne will be released on the following conditions: electronic monitoring with home confinement, no contact with alleged witnesses, no possession of firearms or weapons, surrender of any passport, and compliance with all court dates.”

She looked directly at Twenty.

“Any violation will result in immediate detention. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Twenty nodded enthusiastically.

“You will also submit to random compliance checks,” Judge Vance continued.

“Yes!”

Judge Vance shifted her gaze briefly to Damian.

“The next court date is set for a preliminary hearing in thirty days.”

“Thank you, Your Honor,” Damian said smoothly.

“Clerk, issue the order.”

The gavel tapped lightly.

“Next case.”

The matter was concluded in under fifteen minutes. But its impact was immediate. Twenty was not just a local rapper, he was known nationwide. Cameramen tried to get closer to Damian and Twenty to get a better shot.

Meanwhile, Twenty leaned toward Damian and spoke in a low voice.

“You did good, cuz.”

Damian nodded with his arms folded across his chest.

Deputies approached to process release paperwork, and Clara gathered the files quickly. As they stepped aside, Ruiz moved closer to Damian.

“You know we’re not done.”

Damian slowly raised his face and met his eyes evenly.

“Of course not. We still have a long fight ahead.” His smile did not reach his eyes.

Ruiz’s frown deepened and his fists clenched tighter.

“The witnesses are solid.”

“We’ll see.”

With that, Ruiz returned to his table, and Twenty was escorted briefly to complete processing. It would take a few hours before release.

Clara leaned slightly toward Damian and raised her hand for a fist bump.

“That was clean.”

Damian fist bumped her and responded with a nod.

“Thank you.”

“Wanna get a cup of coffee before we head back to the office? The day is still young,” she offered.

Damian thought about it for a second before nodding.

“Sure. Sure, why not.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep