Read Deadly Distractions, A Stan Turner Mystery Vol 6 Page 46
CHAPTER 46
PRESS CONFERENCE
On the Saturday before the trial was set to begin, Stan held a press conference in the lobby of our office building. Since I wasn't allowed to participate in the trial, I had to watch it on TV. The lobby was packed with reporters, cameramen, and other interested parties. Stan stood with Dusty and Martha facing the media mob. He tapped the microphone to indicate he was ready to get started.
"Thank you," Stan said. "Thank you for coming. . . . We called this news conference on the eve of Dusty Thomas' trial due to the fact that over the past few weeks there have been lots of erroneous information, spurious statements, and innuendo reported in the press. Before Dusty goes on trial, I thought it important to set the record straight or at least present our side of the story. Although we hope to empanel an impartial jury, it isn't going to be easy to find twelve good citizens who haven't heard a lot about this case. Since this is a fact we must live with, we want to be sure everyone has accurate information about me and Dusty.
"First, let me say that neither I nor Dusty Thomas has any affiliation or sympathies with the CDA. They have funded Dusty Thomas' defense for their own purposes and benefit without any strings attached. We have promised nothing in return for their support and nothing will be given. As for me, I love my country and would never do anything to hurt it. I have always filed my income tax returns and paid my taxes in a timely manner. Neither I nor Dusty advocate tax evasion or tax defiance. We believe every American should pay their fair share of taxes set by our representatives in Congress.
"This trial is not about taxes. It's not about the Internal Revenue Service, the Sixteenth Amendment, the CDA, or my military record. It is a simple murder case. Did Dusty Thomas intentionally and with premeditation kill Bobby Tuttle? We believe we can prove he did not. We intend to prove someone else killed Bobby Tuttle and then tried to make it appear that Dusty had done it.
"Now if there are some specific questions I'll be happy to answer them. Obviously I can't delve too deeply into our defense strategy, but I'll tell you as much as I can."
Several reporters began shouting their questions. Stan pointed to one of them.
"Will Dusty Thomas be testifying at trial?" the first reporter said.
"We don't know for sure, but there is a strong likelihood that he will."
Stan pointed to another reporter. "Reports are that you will try to prove Don Harris killed Agent Tuttle. Is that correct?" the second reporter asked.
"Don Harris will be called as a witness. That's about all I can say on that topic."
"You say you have no sympathies for the CDA, yet you accept their money, and they have been using this trial to promote their cause. Last week there was a big rally in Washington purposely set just before the Dusty Thomas' trial. How can you say you don't support the CDA?"
"We don't support the CDA. It's as simple as that," Stan said.
"But Raymond Farr and a contingent of CDA officials will be attending the trial cheering on the defense. Have you told them to stay away?" the reporter persisted.
"No, we don't have any control over who attends the trial. The court will determine who can watch it."
"Do you really expect us to believe you're not in bed with them?"
"I agree. It's hard to believe we would take CDA money yet not be beholden to them. The fact is it was Dusty's decision whether to accept the money or not. He didn't believe he could raise the kind of money it would take for a murder defense himself, so he didn't think he had any choice but to accept their generous offer. At no time, however, did he agree to support the CDA, endorse anything they did, or help them in any way."
After fielding a dozen or so more questions, the news conference finally came to a close. When everyone had left, Stan came over to do some last-minute brainstorming. There hadn't been any startling developments in the last few days. Paul Thayer still hadn't figured out whom Harris was communicating with in Virginia, Mo hadn't come up with any new evidence, and Jill was still missing. The only positive thing that had happened was that Charlotte was still safely tucked away in the Fairmont Hotel anxious to testify against her abusive husband. I had recovered from my visit from Don Harris and was feeling pretty good except for being a little nervous about how the trial was going to turn out.
"Is Rebekah coming?" I asked.
"Are you kidding? She wouldn't miss this circus for the world. She's bringing her mother too. She says it's going to be better than the daytime soaps."
"Yeah with the CDA and the vets picketing, the action outside the courtroom might get interesting too."
"Is there anything I can do for you during the trial?"