While waiting for my case to be called, I paid keen attention as the Judge read Ken’s judgment.

He had been on trial for murder, facing the death penalty, having been accused of killing someone.

With gloom written all over her face, Ken’s mother was in court when the wardens produced him from Enugu Prisons that day.

Family and friends were there too; they had not missed a single court session since his trial started, over seven years earlier.

The judge took over an hour to read everything about Ken’s trial, from its inception to that point when the final judgment was due.

There was silence everywhere.
On account of precedents, when Judges read judgements, experienced lawyers could tell at some point where the court may eventually land, way before a verdict given.

Ken, his mother and all those who came to court on his account must have had an idea of what being found guilty meant.

They paid rapt attention.

The atmosphere around the court was blue; it was obvious that this was a matter between life and death.

I knew the drill. From all that was said, a pair of outcomes was imminent: conviction for murder, and an attendant death sentence.
While waiting to hear the words “…you would be hung by the neck till you are dead”, the verdict took a dramatic turn.
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