Sycamore Row - John Grisham

There were none. There were no guidelines on jury deliberations. Judge Atlee said
they could figure things out themselves.
Nevin said, “Okay, here is the first question: Was the document signed by Seth
Hubbard a proper holographic will, in that it was (1) written entirely by Seth Hubbard,
(2) signed by Seth Hubbard, and (3) dated by Seth Hubbard? Any discussion?”
“Ain’t no doubt about that,” Michele Still said.
The others agreed. The contestants had not argued otherwise.
Nevin continued: “Next, and the big one, testamentary capacity, or sound and
disposing mind. The question is, Did Seth Hubbard understand and appreciate the nature
and effect of his holographic will? Since this is what the case is all about, I suggest we
each take a turn and say what’s on our minds. Who wants to go first?”
Fay Pollan said, “You go first, Nevin. You’re Juror Number One.”
“Okay, here’s what I think. I think it’s wrong to cut out the family and give all the
money to another person, especially someone who Seth knew for only three years. But,
as Jake said at the beginning, our job is not to decide who should get the money. It’s not
our money. Also, I think Seth was slipping in his last days and was pretty doped up, but
after seeing Ancil, I have no doubt he knew what he was doing. He’d been planning it
for a long time. I’m voting in favor of the will. Tracy?”
Tracy McMillen said quickly, “I agree. So much about this case troubles me, but so
much of it I’m not supposed to worry about. We’re suddenly dealing with decades of
history, and I don’t think any one of us should tamper with that. Seth did what he did
for some very good reasons.”
“Michele?”
“Ya’ll know how I feel. I just wish we weren’t here. I wish Seth had given Lettie some
money if he wanted to, then taken care of his family, even if he didn’t like them. Can’t
say as I blame him. But I don’t care how bad they are, they don’t deserve nothing.”
“Fay?”
Fay Pollan evoked less sympathy than anyone else in the room, maybe with the
exception of Frank Doley. She said, “I’m not too concerned about his family. They’ve
probably got more money than most of us, and they’re young and educated. They’ll be
fine. They didn’t help Seth make his money, why should they expect all of it? He cut ’em
out for a reason, reasons we’ll never know. And his son didn’t even know who played
center field for the Braves. My God. We’ve been fans of Dale Murphy for years now. I
think he was just lying. Anyway, I’m sure Seth was not a nice person, but, like Jake
said, it’s not our business who he gives his money to. He was sick but he wasn’t crazy.”
It was a two-beer deliberation. After the second, a clerk called and said there was a
verdict. All laughter ceased immediately as the lawyers shoved gum in their mouths and
straightened their ties. They walked into the courtroom together and took their places.
Jake turned to the spectators and saw Carla and Hanna seated on the front row behind
him. They smiled and Carla mouthed, “Good luck.”