Mrs. Lieberman's Trial, Day 5

Today we heard closing arguments in Mrs. Lieberman's trial. The prosecutor went first, reminding the jurors that they all saw Mrs. Lieberman take the 16th-century vase in the security footage. He also said that it was not an isolated incident, reminding them of the hats and purses, which were found at the Birch Street Nursing Home along with the stolen vase. He emphasized that it was not a case of an older woman getting confused, but a cunning woman using her advanced age to pull one over on us. He urged the jury to not let her get away with it. Mrs. Lieberman then stood up and reminded the jury of the receipts for items she bought at the museum, saying those receipts prove that she routinely pays for things. And the security footage showed that she didn't sneak into the museum. She was in the bathroom, which was perfectly understandable and something any of the jurors might have needed to do after drinking a large coffee. As for getting confused, she admitted that she sometimes does. She told the jury that they'll likely all experience it when they reach her age, and she hopes that people around them will show them a little compassion when they do.

After the closing arguments, the judge reminded the jurors of their responsibilities and sent them off to deliberate. I decided to use the time to get some lunch across the street. While I was eating my sandwich, I glanced out the window and saw the prosecutor rushing up the steps of the courthouse. I shoved the last bite in my mouth, and got back to the court room just as the judge announced that the jury had reached a decision. I was nervous, because Grandmother had told me that short jury deliberations usually meant a guilty verdict. But when the jury foreman announced the verdict, Mrs. Lieberman was found not guilty! While everyone was leaving the courthouse, I gave Mrs. Lieberman a hug and told her I would see her on Saturday.

Mrs. Lieberman's Trial, Day 4

The trial resumed today, and it was Mrs. Lieberman's time to shine. What a surprise it was when she called Mrs. Henley to the stand as a witness! Mrs. Lieberman stated that the prosecutor had portrayed her a career criminal, and asked Mrs. Henley if in all the time she'd known her if she had ever witnessed her taking anything that didn't belong to her. She also asked if Mrs. Henley had ever caught her cheating at poker. Mrs. Henley said, "Absolutely not!" She glared at the prosecutor and said to him, "How dare you say that about Mrs. Lieberman." Then after the judge had a couple of words with Mrs. Henley, Mrs. Henley clearly stated that Mrs. Lieberman is the kindest and most trustworthy of all the patients at the Birch Street Nursing Home. During cross examination, the prosecutor asked Mrs. Henley if she'd ever witnessed Mrs. Lieberman get confused. Mrs. Henley didn't answer at first, and looked down at her hands. The prosecutor asked the question again, and the judge told her to answer. Mrs. Henley didn't lift her eyes, but said that she had seen Mrs. Lieberman get confused. She said it was embarrassing, but she saw Mrs. Lieberman try to eat the curtains at the Birch Street Nursing Home. The prosecutor seemed surprised and quickly told the judge he had no further questions. Mrs. Lieberman then told the judge that the defense rests. The judge announced that closing arguments would be heard tomorrow.

Mrs. Lieberman's Trial, Day 3

The prosecution wrapped up its case against Mrs. Lieberman today, calling in two more witnesses. The first was a man from a local store who talked about how he had several hats and purses stolen recently. The second was the arresting officer, who said the stolen 16th-century vase was found in plain sight on a table where the defendant and others were playing poker. The stolen hats and purses were found around the table too. During the cross examination, Mrs. Lieberman asked the officer if that is typical behavior of a hardened criminal, to leave stolen items out in plain sight and not even attempt to hide them from authorities. The officer had to admit no, it wasn't. I thought Mrs. Lieberman did a great job, but I got worried when after she finished she went and sat down next to the prosecutor.The judge had to remind her that she had her own table, and asked the bailiff to help guide her back to her proper spot and to pour her a glass of water. Mrs. Lieberman drank the whole glass, and then the judge said they would call it a day and would continue the trial on Monday.

Mrs. Lieberman's Trial, Day 2

When Grandmother learned that I had attended the first day of Mrs. Lieberman's trial, she was happy, and she encouraged me to go back for the whole trial, and to pay close attention. She said the things I learn at court might help me later in life. During opening arguments this morning, the lead prosecutor told the jurors it was an open-and-shut case, that they were going to see video evidence that clearly shows Mrs. Lieberman stealing the 16th-century vase from the art museum. And just before he sat down, he told the jury that this theft was not an isolated incident. Mrs. Lieberman used her time to apologize to the jury for having to be indoors on such a nice day. She also asked them to bear with her because she is not a professional attorney, adding that she lives in a nursing home without any law books or even a computer. She said that at her age it is easy to get confused and make an honest mistake. The prosecution then began its case against Mrs. Lieberman. The prosecutor wasted no time, and for the first witness, called the head of security for the museum. This witness talked about locking up for the night, and then about watching the security footage the next morning. The prosecutor showed some of the footage, including Mrs. Lieberman coming out of the bathroom and then removing the vase and putting it in a large shopping bag. The prosecutor also showed multiple sales receipts from Mrs. Lieberman's purchases at the museum gift shop, including a coffee from just an hour before the vase was stolen. During cross examination, Mrs. Lieberman asked the head of security why he didn't check to make sure everyone was out of the building before locking up. And she asked him if he came out of a bathroom in a strange place and found no one around, might he himself get confused. He admitted that he might. Before she let him step down from the witness stand, she said that if someone were going to steal something from the art museum, wouldn't it be much easier to steal a cup of coffee and post cards than a 16th-century vase? Yet, those were paid for, as the receipts clearly showed. I looked over at the jury then, and saw that two of the jurors were nodding their heads. That's a good sign for Mrs. Lieberman.

Mrs. Lieberman's Trial, Day 1

Mrs. Lieberman's trial started today. After her curtain-eating incident at the Birch Street Nursing Home on Saturday, I was worried about her, and so decided to go to court to make sure she was okay. When I walked up to her with some cookies I had baked, an officer told me to sit down. So I did. I managed to get a seat right behind Mrs. Lieberman, who had a whole table to herself since she is acting as her own lawyer. I asked her in my softest whisper if she was okay, and she assured me she was fine. Just then the judge entered and everyone stood up. I thought opening arguments would start right away, but the only thing that happened all morning was interviewing jurors. But it was fun getting to watch Mrs. Lieberman asking the jurors questions. She asked an older woman if she ever got confused at a store, like forgetting what she'd come in for. The woman said yes, that it happens all the time. That was one of the jurors that Mrs. Lieberman selected. Another juror she picked was a young man who said he helps take care of his grandmother. When that was finished in the early afternoon, the judge told everyone that opening arguments would begin tomorrow morning. Just before Mrs. Lieberman got in her taxi back to the Birch Street Nursing Home, I gave her what was left of the tin of cookies.

Cindy's Remote Learning

I'm having a good time homeschooling here at Winsome Headquarters. Nearly every day Grandmother removes me from class early to help her with one of her experiments. Today I learned what temperature is needed for floppy disks to melt. The only things I miss are my school poker club and seeing Sniffles The Seventh at recess.

Another Surprise At School

This morning at school there was an announcement that all students were to gather their books and other belongings to take home. There was a coronavirus outbreak, and several students and a couple of teachers are sick. Looks like I'll be homeschooling at Winsome Headquarters for a while.

Cindy's Poker Club

Today I won ten dollars playing poker at school, the same amount I would have made if I'd worked at the Birch Street Nursing Home. Mrs. Lieberman was right. Poker is much more exciting when you play for money.

Cindy's Poker Club

Today at recess I recruited two kids to be the first official members of my school poker club. We only had enough time to play a few hands, and they didn't have any money, but we still had a fun session. Both promised to save their lunch money for the game from now on, and to tell their friends about the club.

Cindy's New School Project

School is going well, and I love getting the chance to see Sniffles The Seventh during recess every day, but I do miss playing poker and blackjack regularly. One day a week at the Birch Street Nursing Home just isn't enough. So I'm thinking of starting a poker club at school. If I hold the club outside at recess, then I'll still get to see Sniffles.

Sniffles At School

Today was my second day back at school. All morning, I was looking forward to recess because that was the one chance I had to see Sniffles The Seventh, since his new owner is in a different classroom. As soon as recess was called, I ran outside and claimed a spot near the basketball hoop, because that is where Sniffles was yesterday. And sure enough, after a few minutes, Sniffles came racing over to me, his new owner doing his best to hold onto his harness. After I pet the dog and told him what a good boy he was, I introduced myself to the blind kid that Sniffles had dragged over. He told me his name was Julian and that he'd had the dog for two months, since his family moved to town. I told him I've known Sniffles for more than a year. Julian seemed confused, and said the guy at the seeing eye dog agency told him the dog's name was Vincent. After a moment, he said he thought Sniffles was a better name, and told me I could pet him whenever I wanted.

A Surprise At School

Today I returned to school for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, and things sure were different. There were plastic shields around each desk, and we weren't allowed to touch anyone else's books or pencils. But the biggest surprise of the day came during recess. While I was trying to keep my distance from the other kids, a dog suddenly ran from near the basketball hoop and jumped on me. It was Sniffles The Seventh! I hadn't seen him since he ran off during the last fire drill at the Birch Street Nursing Home. Soon a teacher led a blind student over to retrieve the dog. They called Sniffles by a different name, Vincent, but he didn't seem to mind at all. I'm so glad to know he's okay.

A Message From Cindy

Today I brought the ten dollars I earned last night to school, and used it to buy Halloween candy from the vending machine in the teachers' lounge.

Winsome Family Resolutions (Cindy)

My New Year's resolution is to pitch in more around Grandmother's laboratory.

Cindy's First Day In Charge

Grandmother is overseas, and she's left me in charge. As soon as the maid finished her tasks for the day, I locked her in her special room in the basement, as Grandmother had instructed. A little later, when I was back in my room, I heard a loud bang. I smelled smoke at the top of the basement stairs, and went to call the fire department, as I'd been taught in school. But before I reached the phone I heard the fire trucks pulling up outside. Jane was already at the door to let the firemen in, wearing her favorite red dress and fur stole. As I followed them down the basement stairs, Allie urged me not to tell the firemen that I'd been playing with Grandmother's chemicals. The fire wasn't on Grandmother's laboratory table, but over in the corner near the secret door to the maid's room. The maid didn't make a sound the whole time, and I wondered if she was okay. It didn't take the firemen long to put out the fire, but Jane kept them talking for a long time afterward. When the firemen finally left, I checked in on the maid, and she was fine.

April Fools' Day

I was sad to learn that Mexicans don't celebrate April Fools' Day. It was Allie's idea to tell the Mexican maid that the immigration authorities were at the door, but I was the one who actually played the prank on her. She started crying hysterically, and even after I yelled "April Fools," it took her several moments to calm down.

A Message From Cindy

I like the Mexican maid, and I don't think she's dangerous. But Allie insists that she must have done something unspeakable in order to be locked up in Grandmother's basement every night. Today on the way to school, Allie handed me a knife and told me to keep it with me at all times, just in case.

Cindy's Special Assignment

I am always excited to help Grandmother, and now she's given me a special new assignment to perform each morning before I go to school. In the basement, there is a secret room that I didn't even know existed, and every morning I unlock its door to let the Mexican maid out. I am pleased that Grandmother has entrusted me with this task, although Allie says the Mexican maid must have done something terrible for Grandmother to lock her up like that every night, and she has warned me to be careful.

Searching For Cindy (A Little Late In New Zealand)

New Zealand’s a bit slow, Kiddies, and the folks there have just now learned of Cindy’s absence. I received this photo from Isabella, a kind resident. As you know, Cindy has already been found. But I've told Isabella not to take the poster down, just in case the little girl goes missing again. It can be difficult to keep track of children.

Cindy's Art Projects

Hi, Kiddies! This week in school, Cindy's art assignment was to use heart shapes to create an image of a pet or a favorite animal. Just look at the wonderful picture she made of Buddy, the Time-Traveling Cat.