Local Man Sentenced to Hang"They Were Just Faces!" Cries Offender
by Larry St. James, Our Town Staff
In what is to be the first public hanging in Chesterfield Ridge's rich history, Judge Burt Hendrick has sentenced local pediatrician Steven Hershwin to the gallows, one week from today, September 30th.
It all began yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Hershwin boarded a bus on his way to what he thought would be just another calm day at the office. Reports say that at some point during the bus ride, a local infant Thomas "Little Tommy" Winston began crying. It was at this point that Hershwin took matters into his own hands, going on what one witness called, a "face making bout of rage." At one o'clock yesterday afternoon Mr. Hershwin was arrested, by four o'clock, prosecuters had mounted their case against the husband and father of three. An hour later, the court proceedings were underway and by nightfall, the closing remarks had been made and a very solemn Hershwin was taken to his cell.
The entire horrific episode neared its end this morning when both sides reentered the court room for Judge Hendrick's sentence. At the prosecution's table was young Timmy Winston, the aforementioned infant and newly minted town hero; his mother, a visibly shaken Marsha Sayles-Winston, who continually dotted her eyes with a Kleenex throughout last night's proceedings; the boy's father, a very flustered looking Charles Winston; and family friend and lawyer Marshall Rhodes. Mr. Hershwin sat at the defense table in the same suit he wore last evening, wrinkled from what we can assume was a long night. Hershwin acted as his own defense, unable to get a lawyer on such short notice, and sat alone, his wife and three children nowhere in sight.
When Judge Hendrick and the twelve-man jury finally appeared this morning, the packed courthouse grew deadly silent, the air as tense as a suspension bridge cable. Hendrick began the proceedings eloquently, citing Mr. Hershwin to be "as offensive a character as I have ever had the misfortune of laying eyes on...a pitiful picture of despair and a loathsome infidel."
Each side was allowed final remarks in order to "add anything before sentencing...you know, vent, let out some steam, whatever." The prosecution then launched into what will no doubt go into the annals of legal history as one of the finest performances ever to grace a courtroom. When the sometimes angry, sometimes passionately sympathetic tirade came to a close, Judge Hendrick asked Mr. Hershwin if he had anything to say. Understandably, Hershwin looked downright sick, his skin sickly yellow and his eyes dark. Mr. Herswhin stood up with some effort before mumbling something about his wife. Then he collapsed into his chair.
Moments later Judge Hendrick asked both parties to stand for sentencing. With great effort this time, Herswhin attempted to stand before it became apparent that he would not be able to do so on his own. Two officers were called over to lift the greatly weakened Hershwin to his feet.
When the guilty verdict was announced, the Winston family burst into tears, hugging each other and their lawyer. Little Tommy, as he is known throughout the region appeared to have no understanding of what had just happened. Mr. Hershwin simply hung his head even lower.
Judge Hendrick cleared his throat and slammed his gavel to quiet the boistrous courtroom. This time when he spoke, his speech was careful and measured as though fighting back great emotion. He was also far more succinct than he had been earlier: "I can find no other punishment for this man within myself than to sentence him to death by hanging." With that the courtroom erupted and Hendrick stood up and walked out of the courtroom, clearly disgusted by the day's proceedings.
At this point Hershwin sprang to life and attempted to run from the officers holding him, but his weakened state left him in no shape to escape. He fell into the crowd as he leapt over the a banister and was then beaten severely by those who had just witnessed his fate announced.
The officers strong armed the handsome doctor and began dragging him by his arms and legs back into his prison cell. Mr. Hershwin began screaming incoherently, "It's all a mistake! It's a mistake!" He then began convulsing and making Goo-Goo faces before passing out.
Although the death sentence is illegal in the state, state legislators have made a special exemption for this case. A spokesman for the state said, "There are some instances where such horrors are made real, where the only thing we can do as lawmakers is hope to make an example of these offenders."
At a press conference immediately following the proceedings, the Winstons wore expressions that displayed exhaustion, horror and, ultimately, joy.
"To stand here and see everything work out the way it has...it's just too much," said Ms. Sayles Winston. "When this whole awful mess began, it was hard to imagine that it would ever end...the nightmare has gone on too long, but the monster will be slain, and peace will be restored."
When one reporter asked the Winstons what Little Tommy thought of it all, the child, as if on cue, let out a burp, and an infant giggle that warmed the hearts of everyone in the courthouse. Everyone, of course, except Mr. Steven Hershwin.
The hanging will be broadcast on OurTownRadio, AM 72.1. Coverage begins next Saturday at 8AM.
