"First, these are internal emails between school administrators discussing how to handle the Kingsley situation. Note the repeated mentions of pressure from Sheriff Daniel Lorn to make this go away. The documents were distributed to the panel. Walsh's eyebrows rose as he read. Additionally, Judge Kingsley continued, "We have testimony from three former school employees who were terminated or transferred after reporting Evan Lauren's behavior in previous years." She gestured to a group of people in the gallery who stood briefly.
They're here today, finally ready to speak. Ry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. His attorney frantically flipped through papers. But perhaps most disturbing, Judge Kingsley's voice hardened. Is this evidence of evidence tampering?
She produced a technical report. A forensic analysis of the police department's body camera server shows multiple unauthorized access attempts the night of Maya's arrest, all traced to Officer Lorn's credentials. Gasps rippled through the courtroom. Several officers in uniform looked at each other uneasily. "We call Sarah Martinez, junior class president," the clerk announced.
A petite girl with glasses approached the stand, visibly nervous, but determined. After being sworn in, she spoke clearly into the microphone. Evan's bullying has been going on for years, she testified. Last semester, he pushed my brother down the stairs for sitting in his lunch spot. When we reported it, the principal said we must have misunderstood.
The next day, officer Lauren showed up at our house to discuss the false accusations against his son. More students followed, each account more damning than the last. A former football player described being kicked off the team after standing up to Evan. A teacher's aid revealed overhearing administrators discussing how to minimize bullying reports involving the Lorn name. The panel then recalled Evan to the stand.
Gone was his earlier swagger. He slumped in the witness chair, eyes darting between his father and grandfather. Mr. Lorn, Walsh began, these testimonies directly contradict your earlier statement about having no history of disciplinary issues. Would you like to explain? They're all lying, Evan snapped, but his voice cracked.
They're just jealous because what? Walsh interrupted. Because your family name protected you? Because your father's badge meant you never faced consequences. That's not I mean, Evan stumbled over his words.
Did you or did you not deliberately provoke Miss Kingsley on her first day? She was asking for it, Evan blurted out, walking around like she owned the place, acting all superior. From the gallery, Sheriff Daniel Lorn suddenly stood up, face red with rage. This is outrageous. This whole hearing is a witch hunt against my family.
I've served this community for 40 years, and I won't sit here while. You'll sit down immediately, Walsh commanded. Or be removed. Like hell I will, the elder roared. I've made too many calls, pulled too many strings to let this little charade.