Once the jury had left, Judge French said, “Counsel, please see me in my office.” Victoria and I looked at each other, shook our heads to indicate neither of us knew what was up, and went back. Judge French sat himself heavily in his chair and said, “What are we doing here, Ms. Lance?” Victoria looked startled. “What do you mean?” “I mean what are we doing in the second week of a first-degree murder trial on this case?” “Your Honor, we think it's clear that—” “If you're about to say you think it's clear that a crime has been committed, you are mistaken.”
