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Mrs Schumacher, a retired librarian, raised her hand

“Is there time for me to use the restroom?”

“Yes Anyone else? No? Bailiff, please escort juror number four to the jury room Any other questions?”

There were none When Mrs Schue asked the court officers to open the front doors The gallery was filled noisily as people jostled for seats Once the attendees were reasonably quiet, court officers for the doors

Judge Hoffiven to the jury and announced that court was now in session

He said to the defendant, “Mr Grant, if you’re ready, pleasestatement”

CHAPTER 32

GRANT PLACED A stack of note cards on the lectern and looked across the roo to Yuki every bit the schoolteacher in front of his class When he spoke, his voice was clear and confident

“Folks, I’ed with killing twenty-five people, and I had absolutely nothing to do with that terrible tragedy

“You deserve to hear exactly what happened and I’ northwest on the Embarcadero and was only a block or so away from Sci-Tron when it blew the hell up”

He threw his hands into the air by way of description

“I was stunned, caught completely by surprise I stood on the sidewalk, a bystander, an accidental witness to this enormous and violent explosion I was dazed by the sound and the sight of what you have probably seen on television

“Only, I was right there while it was happening

“I should introduce myself My name is Connor Grant and I araduating from the University of Miah School for five years now, teaching ninth-grade science

“I often go to Sci-Tron I’ve taken my classes there It was a beautiful place, and my students and I have always found it inspirational to see the exhibits, hear the lectures, and talk to other teachers and guests