“Please let me speak, because there is something essential about this man that you need to hear before passing judgment,” I begged the court.

Judge Lawson raised a hand to silence the bailiff who was moving toward my row, and he waved me toward the front microphone with a solemn nod.

“Step forward to the podium, ma’am, and state your name for the court reporter before you tell me what is on that paper,” Judge Lawson instructed.

“My name is Brenda Holloway, and I have been Mr.

Callahan’s immediate neighbor for thirty years,” I said into the microphone.