First day in court ... taste chains! I'm starting to get my bearings and tired, that night I slept a little. I hope this Monday is my day off. This morning I got an appointment to the court where I am meeting my attorney (appointed by the court ...).
After a breakfast "with potatoes", a policeman took me out of my cabin (... in Canada! Okay, easy!) And asked me nicely to put my shoes and my jacket and follow up his police vehicle. I do it. A little air will do me good ... No luck, it's raining. What important after all! it is still not a tourist excursion! Just accompanied by a guard and a policeman, we went to court in Gander who's on the other side of town. We are 5 to 10 minutes.
No special measures taken against me (no handcuffs) and we pass through the entrance of the "artists". Sheriff's icy reception that I searched the body (... in case they had forgotten to take my weapon! ... Really!) Asked me to remove my jacket and put my knee on a chair that he leans against the wall. Strange request! ... But I understand now: I see him brandishing a chain connected by two handcuffs that cling to the feet while I'm on my knees on the chair. Shock effect guaranteed! Alcatraz and Guantanamo combined! While there, I'm beating down the good spirits!
Accompanied by a young female police officer, I try to walk with these weapons at the feet until the local lawyer who is about twenty meters away ... It's not very far, but across a public court with his feet shackled, I understand the plight of prisoners who must undergo such humiliation ... It's inhumane.
I go into this cramped location already counsel, Ray. Big man, courteous and affable, he greets me in French a "hello" and despite my chains, I take it as a salvation. A word in my tongue for nearly 2 days, it feels good ... Unfortunately, his French vocabulary stops a few polite words, he continues to explain in English the different options available to me.
pleads guilty or not guilty, here is the choice. Guilty and go out quickly (I hope with all my being) or not guilty and I'll return in a logical process that can last for weeks or months (no question). So the choice is lean, fast and I'm the decision: guilty! Ray tells me that in this case, given the burden against me (there have more than one: mischief), my fine would be in the range of approximately $ 30,000 (20 for the airline and 10 for the Canadian justice)! Wham! still a shock! but where will I find all this money? ... And when should I pay? ... Whether to pay to get out of this hole, then, I'm not out of the woods ... Chains to toe with $ 30,000 fine, you imagine the morale ... in the abyssal depths :-(
Counsel explains that in a few moments I spend in court (but the judge will be contacted by phone) and therefore, I should go to court tomorrow for a judge, prosecutors and lawyer decide on my case. Rechoc! it keeps not: I do not go out today, another day of jail! oh no!
At no time did he ask to hear my story ... I realized then that in deciding to plead guilty, I had a right: that of my tongue!
The interview lasted 10-15 minutes (no shows is no easy task!) In leaving I leave the details of my family and my partner so that the contacts as long as I am in cell I almost get the chance to join them.
With chains on my feet, I am escorted into a small cell in the courthouse waiting to go before the judge .. by phone ! The sheriff takes away the chains. Some time later, a policeman asked me to put my hands behind my back and hands me this time handcuffed and accompanied me in the courtroom. Within two hours ago, I tasted two "fun" novel (in my life ...) chains and handcuffs! That's a lot in one day. Too well! Objected to something in these circumstances: difficult, very difficult!
In the courtroom, woody with a portrait of the Queen ... Elizabeth (Commonwealth forces!) Above the judge's seat, removed the handcuffs me and I sit in place of the accused (armchair soft contrast to the conditions of detention ...). Before me, from behind, the federal and provincial prosecutors, my lawyer, and face a clerk. On the sides (... just in case!), An RCMP officer and a policeman "Sheriff team. Instead the judge, a telephone! The meeting starts
when you hear the judge asks some questions to prosecutors and then the lawyer. He informed the meeting that there will be another meeting tomorrow afternoon to decide whether my cell output and the penalty. All for it !?... Not terrible! Especially since I returned to my cabin for an extra day. Pas glop :-(
Back handcuffed in the small cell of the court. It makes me my jacket and my leadership resort RCMP accompanied by my guardian angels.
Rebelote, jacket and shoes removed, I returned to my cell and I feel as I start appropriating the place ... feeling weird and ambiguous!
On Monday afternoon, the guards offer me a shower ... fortunately not collective (beware sudden soap!) Waoh! happiness! Finally, I found part of my dignity. It allows me to change my clothes, taking clothes in my suitcase. I note at this point that a lot of things have gone: all my electronic devices (some Ecogyzer for the seminar, my watch joggers with GPS, battery chargers ...), and even a bottle of St Emilion Grand Cru 1993 that I planned as a gift for our partner in San Francisco). Well we'll see about that later!
Clean, I plunged back during long hours in my thoughts until night. I have trouble falling asleep ... I hope that tomorrow will be the last day in this place ...
Good night!