What?

What?

By Jay Unver

Lehrton, MS (BA) Lehrton was buzzing with nervous energy Friday morning. The Barber Shop was not on the squar  but at the Big ASS Training Center instead, waiting on the sentencing of Randal Beets a man much maligned in these parts. 

Right on time, Dr. Nomann, took the bench, graveled the Disciplinary Court into session, and called the attendees to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Then he had Beets and counsel approach the bench. The tension was so thick, it looked like the swimmer and his lawyer were wading through molasses. Beets' face was something to behold. He looked like he was about to be executed. Maybe he was. Death penalty had been the scuttle butt since this whole began to be talked about weeks before charges were ever formally made.

Hodge as his name is called in the courtroom

Then Nomann spoke. "Mr. Beets, in light of the evidence presented to this court, and in light of your plea made yesterday, I am now ready to sentence you. You do have the right to speak or for your counsel to call witnesses if he feels there are any mitigating circumstances that may affect your sentence. Do you understand this?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Would you like to address the court before sentencing?"

"No, Your Honor," Beets said with a slight crack in his voice.

At this point, Johnny Johnson of Johnson, Johnson, and Johnson, PLLC spoke up.

"Your Honor, I do want to call one witness."

"Proceed, Counsel," Nomann responded seeming slightly surprised.

"Your Honor, I call Zane Hodge."

A buzz immediately erupted that sounded like a ton of bees had been released into the courtroom.

Slowly and meekly, Hodge arose and walked towards the bench.