{"id":10227,"date":"2023-12-17T22:14:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T04:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/?p=10227"},"modified":"2023-12-21T12:54:56","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T18:54:56","slug":"the-good-prosecutor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/the-good-prosecutor\/","title":{"rendered":"The Good Prosecutor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By <\/strong>Joe Roubicek<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll rise,\u201d said the bailiff. \u201cExistential Court is in session. Judge Maggie Temple presiding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            John O\u2019Malley watched the judge enter briskly from the chamber door and take her seat behind the bench. She looked familiar, attractive too, he thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John sat, stunned to find he was at the defendant\u2019s table. Who was he defending? There was no one beside him. On the other side of the courtroom, the prosecutor took a sheaf of papers out of his briefcase. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John scanned the empty gallery. The room reminded him of church, with wooden pews and a judge who sat on an elevated platform that looked a little like an altar. He eyed the prosecutor shuffling papers on his table and thought he was not a bad-looking fellow. Then he remembered that prosecutors could become persecutors, depending on their intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A good prosecutor pursues a just outcome, while a persecutor only pursues a win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John refocused his wandering thoughts on the matter at hand. How had he gotten here? And what had the bailiff said\u2014Existential Court?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Judge Temple glanced his way and, as if reading his mind, explained the court\u2019s proceedings briefly. \u201cThis court handles only personal matters, and especially matters of the mind. \u00a0We\u2019re a timeless place where past, present, and future coexist as needed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John swallowed hard but nodded his understanding. He\u2019d been in countless courtrooms in his life, but this was a new one. \u201cYour honor,\u201d he began. \u201cIf I may, who is the defendant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The judge\u2019s gaze softened. \u201cWhy, you are, Mr. O\u2019Malley.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drawing in a deep breath, John looked around the courtroom again, searching for any face that might be familiar. The prosecutor caught his eye, expressionless. John looked away first, then noticed the tall windows behind the empty jury box. Through the glass he saw snow falling in huge feathery flakes, drifting earthward in a soothing pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John pressed his hands against the tabletop in front of him, feeling the solidness of it. He didn\u2019t know how he had gotten there, what the charges were against him, or why he had to defend himself. Making me a fool for a client<\/em>, he thought. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo, counselor, what\u2019s the charge today?\u201d the judge asked. \u201cAuthenticity? Despair? The meaning of life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot good enough,\u201d the prosecutor said as he stepped before the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John sat back in his chair. Oh, you\u2019ve got to be kidding me! <\/em>He\u2019d beat this handily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prosecutor continued. \u201cJohn O\u2019Malley is forty-three years old with a wife, Mary, and a young boy named Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That\u2019s when it registered in John\u2019s mind\u2014the judge looked like Mary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ve been married for fifteen years, churchgoers living under honest and modest means. He\u2019s a career man who works long hours with dedication to his job while serving the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The judge looked at John and smiled. \u201cOh, one of them.\u201d Then she pointed to the witness stand. \u201cHave a seat, Mr. O\u2019Malley, and raise your right hand.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            After John was sworn in, the prosecutor wasted no time. \u201cSo, John . . . may I call you John?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cI think we should stay professional here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s fine, John,\u201d the prosecutor said. \u201cNow for starters, tell me about your son, Thomas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat does my son have to do with this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a simple question. You\u2019re his father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right\u2014and he\u2019s the most important thing in my life, everything any dad could want. He\u2019s bright, innocent, curious.\u201d John smiled, \u201cWhen I look at him, I see myself, in a way. I\u2019m proud of him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes drifted back to the courtroom windows just for a moment. One overly large snowflake caught the breeze and made a loop in the air. John\u2019s smile widened as he recalled a snowball fight with his son years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re a lucky man,\u201d the prosecutor said. \u201cHe just turned eleven, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John snapped his attention back to the prosecutor. \u201cYes, a month ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd when he asked you to volunteer to coach his soccer team last spring, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d John said. \u201cWould have loved to, but work made that impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd when he asked you to take him to a ballgame? Chaperone his school trip just before Thanksgiving?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He knew where this was going. \u201cMy career requires my complete dedication and commitment for the sake of the community. My son understands that and so does my wife.\u201d His eyes darted to the judge, who had the same habit of pursing her lips as she listened\u2014just like Mary. \u201cAnd, if I may be so bold, I\u2019d think that, as a prosecutor, you would understand this as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The prosecutor narrowed his eyes a fraction. \u201cBut I\u2019m not the one facing this charge\u2014you are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then, turning to the judge, prosecutor announced he was ready for his next witness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Judge Temple instructed him to take his seat, and John stepped down from the witness box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cYour Honor,\u201d the prosecutor said. \u201cI would like to call Johnny O\u2019Malley to the stand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sighing, John started to get up. What kind of games were they playing here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cNot you, Mr. O\u2019Malley,\u201d the judge said. \u201cSit down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYour Honor, this is absurd,\u201d John protested. \u201cAnd \u2018not good enough\u2019 is not a crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMay I remind you that this isn\u2019t criminal court,\u201d the judge replied. \u201cExistential Court handles different matters. Now, please sit down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The bailiff opened the courtroom door and a little boy with blond matted hair, wearing a soiled Yankee jersey, walked down the aisle. He smiled at the defendant as he passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John half-rose out of his chair to watch himself as a child approach the witness stand. His mind filled with memories and his eyes with tears as he recalled being that child. He fought the urge to hug that boy and tell him that he was safe, that everything would be okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHave a seat, young man,\u201d the judge said in a softer tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, Johnny,\u201d the prosecutor said, smiling kindly. His demeanor changed as well with the boy, and John appreciated that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood morning,\u201d the boy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd how old are you?\u201d the prosecutor asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEleven.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSame as Thomas.\u201d The prosecutor shot a look at John. \u201cYou\u2019re a young man already. I\u2019d like to hear all about your family. Let\u2019s start with Dad\u2014his name is Bill O\u2019Malley, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd what does Mr. Bill O\u2019Malley do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe lives in a camper in the outdoors, the woods and all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut what does he actually do for a living?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy hesitated. \u201cI don\u2019t know that much about him. I just see him sometimes on the weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow about your mom\u2014Sharon? What does she do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy smiled. \u201cShe\u2019s a teacher at a high school in another village.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cReally. Teaching is an important job.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYep. She has to drive a long way and gets home after supper sometimes, when she has meetings and stuff.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo, who\u2019s there when you get home from school?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy paused. \u201cNo one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow do you feel about that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMom says she keeps a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs,\u201d Johnny replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, yes, but she does other things as well, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy thought for a moment. \u201cShe was in a bowling league for a while. She\u2019s the president of a church club\u2014and she\u2019s helping my friends get first communion because their moms have to work too. She\u2019s pretty busy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe sure is,\u201d the prosecutor said. \u201cBut what about you? I mean, why isn\u2019t she spending more time with you?\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The boy hesitated. \u201cIt\u2019s just the way it is. My mom\u2019s not a bad person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot at all. Like you said, she\u2019s very busy, and mom is always right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut if she doesn\u2019t have time for you, what does that say about you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John O\u2019Malley stood. \u201cObjection! Your Honor, he\u2019s leading the witness, putting words in the mouth of a child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat clich\u00e9s would you like me to use, then, Mr. O\u2019Malley?\u201d the prosecutor shot back, his voice rising. \u201cShe did the best she could? Her intentions were good?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cObjection!\u201d John yelled again. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDad, Dad!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John O\u2019Malley sat up in the church pew, dazed at first, and then realized he had fallen asleep. Beside him, his wife, Mary, shook her head. \u201cYou are so embarrassing,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDad, you yelled, \u2018Objection.\u2019 Everyone\u2019s looking,\u201d his son, Thomas, said with a giggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSorry, guys,\u201d John murmured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He looked up at the pulpit. John mouthed \u201csorry\u201d to the minister and folded his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThere being no further objections,\u201d the minister said, and continued his sermon filled with familiar images\u2014of shepherds and sheep, and a woman about to give birth who had ridden a donkey such a long way to a humble stable, and a husband who never left her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 John knew the story well, but somehow it seemed new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat night, a star in the sky showed what was most important. It reminds us that the road to heaven is paved with good deeds,\u201d the minister concluded. \u201cHave a blessed Christmas, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The choir sang the final hymn as the minister proceeded down the aisle greeting the congregation. Still seated in his pew, John Malley pondered his dream and realized that sometimes a good deed can serve some while denying others, despite intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The minister paused at their pew, \u201cHow\u2019s our county prosecutor, Mr. O\u2019Malley? Objecting to my sermon like that. Was it something I said?\u201d A smile played on the clergyman\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMy apologies, Pastor,\u201d O\u2019Malley said. \u201cBy the way, I hear you\u2019ll be needing a soccer coach this spring?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The minister clapped him on the shoulder. \u201cThat\u2019s good, John.\u201d He pointed to the window, turning the attention of the entire O\u2019Malley family to the window. \u201cImagine that\u2014snow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Roubicek is a south Floridian who just retired from a thirty-eight-year career in law enforcement. He writes short fiction and finds it to be a painstakingly wonderful new career.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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By Joe Roubicek<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2212],"tags":[6,38],"class_list":["post-10227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holiday-fiction","tag-christmas","tag-holidays"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Good Prosecutor | Faith Hope & Fiction<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/the-good-prosecutor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Good Prosecutor | Faith Hope & Fiction\" 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