Jury of One by John Warley

Judge Dan Borders is a rarity these days. Fair-minded, well-respected by folks on both sides of the legal aisle, judicious, and all-around decent circuit court judge in eastern South Carolina. He also cares for his dreadfully ill wife. A task that has effectively removed him from SC society goings on; not that he’s complaining. It is what it is. Political movers and shakers in SC see him as a shoo-in for an opening as the Chief Justice of the SC supreme court. He gained some notoriety for a written positions that has begun to gain traction in SC and elsewhere. He has promoted the ‘jury of one’ concept for death penalty cases. 

Years ago, he sat for a divorce case involving an abusive husband and a local schoolteacher. His decision favored the ambitious wife. Fast forward to current day, a chance meeting of Judge Borders and the still single divorcee, Alana, ignites a purely innocent friendship. Nothing happens, but his imagination has him curious.

On one occasion, Alana’s ex- pops up armed and drunk. The confrontation leaves her ex-dead. To say Judge Borders is in an uncompromising situation is an understatement. He is a married man, a judge for heaven’s sake, a judge on the fast track to be the next Chief Justice of the SC State Supreme Court, and he’s now involved on the other side of the bench in what might end up being tried as capitol murder.

How do you define ‘trust issues?’ What does he keep secret? What must Alana do or say? If she says one thing, she could be tried for murder. If she says another, she just might walk away free. On the other hand, depending on what she says will no doubt impact Border’s nomination for the State’s highest court.

Interesting quandary, yes? I was hooked by the first couple chapters. Most all the characters seem like genuinely nice folks caught in a predicament not of their own making. What to do? And what is ‘the right thing’?

Tune in, folks.

 

ECD