Innocent Until Proven Guilty
written by: Diane Bright
Jake slashed with a frenzy he never knew existed inside of him. No, Jake is not hot-headed, reckless, or prone to fits of violence. Likewise, he’s not a ruthless, cold-blooded killer, or was he?
Having denied any knowledge of the true identity of that lifeless corpse, legs splayed apart on a blood-spattered, bathroom floor, beads of perspiration are already paying an unwelcome visit upon his brow. And well, his heart is palpitating; inexplicably, pounding with such vigorous intent beneath the constraints of his rib-cage, that it’s reaping a deafening noise in his eardrums.
Beyond that — Jake’s eyes lack a certain morality as they dart back-and-forth from what is still a warm, but deceased body, to PC McKenzie who’d rather naively accepted Jake’s innocent explanation, due to nothing else indicating to the contrary.
It is only his version of events that can be heard now; that he was attacked — unexpectedly — by an intruder when he’d opened his front door. Indeed, anything else would be hearsay …
PC McKenzie rested his hand on Jake’s shoulder, offering support and reassurance. Don’t worry lad,” he said, “… it was self-defence.”
- Innocent Until Proven Guilty - June 18, 2025
