In Praeventio
“So you admit you hit her?”
“Look, it’s not what you think-”
“Please answer either in the affirmative or negative only.”
“Yes.”
“We have here substantial proof that this happened multiple times, over a period of three weeks. Please confirm or deny?”
“Yes.”
“In fact,” the lawyer turned even more menacing at this point, “this happened every night.”
“Yes.”
Turning to face the judge and jury, the triumphant black robed figure declaimed “We have here, your informed presences, a confirmation that the defendant, who stands accused of Spousal abuse and homicide, is in fact guilty.”
There was an uproar as the court burst into indignant speech.
The quick rap of a gavel restored a veneer of calm over the turbulence. “Mr. Adams, do you have anything to say in your defence or any mitigating evidence?”
“I didn’t mean it, Your Honour. It was just a dream. I was tired and drunk, and blame my overactive imagination.”
“For the crime of Spousal Abuse, this court finds you guilty, and fines you 30 percent of your income. For the crime of Homicide, this court finds you guilty, in praeventio, and sentences you to Life Imprisonment with Light Labour. Let all know that the hand of the Law is far-reaching. ”
The sound of the gavel resounded through the dream, waking Adams up as it resolved into the unmistakable pounding of a fist at his door.