Street Judge - Hardcover

Mathis, Greg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1593091729 ISBN 13: 9781593091729

Publisher: Strebor Books, 2008

Synopsis

Presiding over a Detroit murder case in which a drug-dealing suspect will talk to no one but him, a newly appointed judge refuses to compromise his moral code when the dealer demands privileges and protection in exchange for information. By the author of Inner City Miracle.

About this title

About the Author

Judge Greg Mathis is a national television judge. His inspirational life story of a street youth who rose from jail to judge has provided hope, entertainment, and legal insight to millions who watch his award-winning television show each day. Judge Mathis began his career working in politics and social justice. Prior to his judgeship, he worked for Detroit's city council and its mayor. He is an advocate for equal justice and currently serves as an official with three civil rights organizations. The judge helps troubled youth in and out of the courtroom. He has assisted thousands of families and youth for decades through his nonprofit agency. During his travels where he lectures on equal justice, he has received hundreds of awards and has been honored by numerous governors, mayors, city councils, and state and federal legislatures.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

PROLOGUE

It seemed that everyone responsible had gone the extra mile in putting together what was to be a very memorable evening. Cobo Arena's ballroom was the designated spot where my specially invited guests were to assemble. To me, the building selected to celebrate my historic accomplishments served as a reminder of how far I had come.

Just a few short years earlier, in the midst of a concert featuring the Average White Band, who were performing before a capacity crowd, I jumped from the second level of the auditorium onto the stage, in four-inch, glass-heel shoes, nonetheless. On that evening, my boys, a group of rabble-rousers known around the city as the Errol Flynns, and I, would turn a night of fun and jubilation into one of intimidation, which eventually led to panic.

Our planned robbery created such chaos that most law-abiding citizens of the city and its surrounding suburbs refused to attend any functions slated to take place in that building. This included the annual North American International Auto Show.

The city was hit hard because the auto show was a cash cow -- for the nine or so days that the event was under the roof of Cobo Arena's Exhibition Center, turnout was at an all-time low; and the Errol Flynns were credited for that drop in attendance.

Public leaders mandated that stricter security be put in place at and around the arena any time an event was scheduled. They then devised campaigns geared to inform the public that it was safe to attend functions at the 2.4 million-square-foot complex.

Although time had passed and people were no longer afraid to travel to the heart of Detroit, I couldn't help but think that at one time I was a vital part of the problem -- now I would be a stabilizing force and lead the way toward the solution.

Mayor Aaron Dennis, along with the Who's Who -- the crème de la crème of the Motor City -- were dressed to the nines. All the gentlemen attending the gala sported black-tie, while their dates would put any red-carpet affair to shame in their stunning gowns.

I watched as Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Otto approached Detroit's top man. Rumors had been circulating around town that the mayor and the stunningly attractive prosecutor were secretly seeing each other. It would not only have been a blow to the Honorable Aaron Dennis's career, but to his marriage as well -- if it was proven that he was, in fact, sleeping with the power-hungry, green-eyed brunette.

I turned my attention to the elegantly adorned dinner table next to where my wife, four children and I sat. I could clearly see what only could be described as a murderous glare emanating from the eyes of Mrs. Cynthia Dennis. The mayor's wife of fourteen years looked as if she were attempting to burn a hole through the blue sequined Oscar de la Renta, which covered the shapely figure of a woman she thought to be cheating with her husband.

I figured that it was simply a matter of time before Cynthia would snatch that fancy, lace white tablecloth from under the centerpiece and fine china, and use it to hang her husband from the rafters.

My table afforded me a perfect view of the tuxedo-clad, handsome gentleman who attempted to camouflage his age with the help of Grecian Formula 44. The mayor and prosecutor stood several feet to the right of a podium that was positioned directly in front of my table. He was attempting to politely excuse himself from Carolyn Otto's conversation. However, everyone who knew the ADA understood how difficult it would be for him to step up to the podium and give his scheduled speech as long as she had something to say to him. Her personality was strong and demanding, especially when it came to something that she wanted.

The girl was a pit bull in Prada -- and if she didn't like you, watch out.

I knew how Carolyn felt toward me; she was none too pleased that I was in my current position. The University of Michigan Law School grad was with the prosecutor's office for several years. The woman was extremely ambitious. I'm not one for rumor, but it was said that she would do anything to achieve her political aspirations, and I do mean anything.

I was told that in college she manipulated her way into the beds of her dean and two professors to assure that she would attain success in law school. After entering the prosecutor's office, she attempted to use her feminine wiles on DA Joseph Monahan in an effort to control her assignments.

In her quest for a judgeship, she only wanted to be assigned cases she thought would enhance her resume. But, once it became evident that she wouldn't be able to manipulate Monahan, she turned her spider web toward the mayor.

Carolyn had her eyes set on becoming judge. In fact, she lost to me in the race for the very seat for which the evening's celebration was meant. And of course, like so many others, she felt that I lacked the experience necessary to do the job. Ms. Otto felt that I hadn't paid my dues.

The way she peered at me -- man, it was a jealous fury that could have cut clean through the earth's surface, and destroyed the planet's core. Some would ask why I had even bothered to extend an invitation to her. My response was, why not?

The mayor finally stepped to the podium -- he didn't say a word until the prosecutor made her way to her table. When Carolyn sat, Aaron Dennis tapped lightly on the microphone in an effort to draw everyone's attention.

"Excuse me, everyone," he said while gazing across the impressive assemblage. The mayor cleared his throat before he continued. "I'd like to thank you all for coming. This is a very historically rich evening. Tonight, we will be paying homage to a young man who has come a very long way. At one time, new security measures around this very building were implemented due to his propensity to incite violence." He glared at me and smiled. "Our guest of honor has redirected his energy toward ensuring that the youth of our community have more opinions than what were available to him. We're really not here to honor him for those outstanding works, but I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to say to him...thank you."

There was a round of applause; it was kind of a bizarre moment for me. People praising me would have been a stretch several years prior. If anything, they would have all gotten together and pitched in to have me whacked.

"I want you all to understand what this night is about." The mayor pointed toward my beautiful family and me. "This young man has just been sworn in as the youngest judge who has ever donned a robe in the state of Michigan. As an African American, I must say that Judge Greg Mathis makes me proud."

Aaron Dennis spent the next several minutes going over my life. Every word that came out of his mouth seemed to trigger a smile from my gorgeous wife. I glanced over at her several times; she looked unbelievable. Linda's form-fitting, red evening gown, her light-red lipstick and perfectly styled hairdo contributed to my baby being the finest woman in the building.

The mayor concluded his verbal communication with the introduction of someone who attended law school with me. The next speaker, Mr. Gram Olson, was a so-so student in law school. He never really had the drive and hunger necessary to become a successful attorney -- pursuing a career in jurisprudence was his parents' dream. Gram ended up leaving school after meeting the love of his life -- Ms. Barbara Poindexter, daughter, and only heir of billionaire philanthropist Edward Poindexter.

My old classmate certainly married well.

Barbara and Gram Olson shared a table with the mayor and his wife. When it came to wealth in the city, the couple were at the top of the aristocratic food chain. Barbara was in a class of her own when it came to charitable causes. The heiress was determined to continue her family's benevolence, which extended several decades. With the death of her father several months prior, Barbara became the last of the Poindexter bloodline and the wealthiest individual in the state.

Gram stepped to the podium. I could see the majority of the women suddenly look interested in the verbal tribute. My old classmate's baby blues, his debonair appearance, and soft-spoken mannerism didn't exactly give an accurate portrayal of who this man really was.

The very rich and extremely powerful man who stood behind the podium was incredibly deceptive and manipulative. But, he was slick enough to hide those traits under his suaveness.

"Hello, everyone...I'm Gram Olson!" the billionaire whispered into the microphone. The audience replied with a hello of its own. "I've known Greg Mathis for a while. Over the years, I've watched him achieve everything that he set out to accomplish." He made eye contact with me before he declared, "Greg, I'm extremely proud of you. I can't believe that you'll be sitting behind the bench of the Thirty-Sixth District tomorrow. What a great accomplishment."

We listened to the eloquent vernacular of my business-savvy friend for the ten minutes that he was allotted. He was very kind with his words and suggested that the mayor had better be on top of his game because I was the next logical choice to take up residence in the Manoogian Mansion.

Several others had an opportunity to speak before dinner was served.

During my meal, I got a sudden urge to visit the restroom, so I placed my napkin on the table, excused myself and headed out of the banquet room. As I made my way down the hall, I noticed Gram standing in an isolated area of the active arena. He seemed to be in a conversation with someone that was out of view. It wasn't until I stepped from the restroom when I noticed Carolyn standing in the corner with Gram. I was rather shocked to see the sneaky prosecutor sensually stroke her hand over his chest.

© 2008 by Judge Greg Mathis

The Body

Playful at times, yet very protective of the family, he had been acting strange all day -- digging with a sense of urgency, running in circles and barking for several seconds at a time as if he were rabid. He'd jump up and down like a bull attemptin...

Edition details

• Publisher: Strebor Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1593091729
• ISBN 13: 9781593091729
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288