Judgement Day

Today was E and S's (both prefects and Juvi) Judgement day.

Jane and I arrived at Juvi at our normal time, said hi to everyone, and then walked S and I over to the court house holding/waiting area. The court house is about 200 yards away from Juvi, so it wasn't much of a walk. Once we got there, we waited for the adult defendants to be brought from the adult jail (which is much farther away). Finally, after about an hour of waiting I's case was called. I, S, Isaac, Jane and I all walked over to the court house and then into the courtroom.

The courtroom itself was about 6' by 12', with benches lining two walls for the accused and witnesses, and a table for the magistrate. After sitting ourselves down on the benches, Jane and I were asked to leave, apparently because of the sensitive nature of the case (not because S is a juvenile). However, we walked out of the courtroom and ended up standing right outside the court's open windows, with a clear view of the room. The proceedings were in Swahili, but body language is universal. S kept his face as blank has he could, but the paper he held in his hands was shaking. About a half an hour later, after one witness testified, everyone came out of the courtroom and we learned that S would have to come back on Feb 9th because one witness did not come. Feb 9th will mark S's 15th court appearance since his arrest.

E did not fare any better. Isaac had to leave to go to work before E's case was called, which left Jane and I alone as his support. When E's case was called he went into the courtroom with 7 other defendants, all adults. When we walked into the court room we learned that the judge is on vacation until at least next Friday (how this fact wasn't known before today is unclear...especially after his last court date was postponed due to the magistrate's absence). So next Friday I will be going back to court with E. It will be his 18th time at court in the 6.5 months since he was arrested.

Neither E or S seemed too distraught that their cases are still pending, perhaps after so many court appointments it's what they expected. I don't understand how some of the Juvi boys come to Juvi and are released within 1-2 weeks, and others are there for months. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with the severity of the charge; instead, it appears to be chance. If your witnesses show up, if the judge shows up, if you get lucky.

So, on February 5th and February 9th, please thinks positive thoughts for E and S.