The Sins of My Fathers 2: “The Trial”

By C. Anthony Sherman

Landry Simon brought a lawsuit against four prominent Louisiana families over whether the lands, which were stolen by their ancestors from his, could be recovered from those who own the lands and assets today or, more specifically, should the poor descendants of today be compensated for their forefathers losses, based on the development of those lands and assets, which in some cases, have produced billions of dollars in revenue. The jury will decide if the well-off descendants today owe anything morally, ethically, or legally to the poor descendants today, because of the cheating, lying, and cunningness of the wealthy land-grabbers of the past.
In the meantime, citizens in both communities are growing increasingly agitated at the testimony revelations each day. Tensions have grown to the extent that some high school students organize protests against the police, school, city hall, and wealthy neighborhoods to take back what they perceive to be their inheritance. As a result of the students actions, two people have been shot, triggering a visit by the national office of the NAACP to assess the magnitude of the problem. The president has been briefed on the trials progress but has made no public statements about the possible implications if the jury decided to vote in favor of the plaintiffs petition.
You are part of the juryyou must decide!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504932646

C. Anthony Sherman

C. Anthony Sherman, a native Texan, born in Crockett, is also known as Tony Sherman, the artist and sculptor. He taught himself to write while serving in the U.S. Air Force. As a B-52 bomber crew chief, he wrote for several military publications while flying around the world. He continued to write on a part-time basis as a hobby until 1988, when he studied creative writing at LSU in Lafayette, Louisiana. Writing became his creative passion since he met with the famed writer Alex Haley, author of Roots. During the brief encounter they had, Mr. Haley told him to never stop writing. To date, Tony has completed three novels and has nearly completed two screenplays for film, to be released in 2016. Tony writes as if he has familiarity with his stories, which is why they are so warm, inviting, and detailed with his characters.

Book preview

Prologue

The Continuation of TSOMF Book 1

A year and eight months had passed since the Federal Government cracked down on several of the politicians and business owners who were caught up in the U.S. Attorney General’s Office investigation of the State of Louisiana’s most prominent citizens. Indictments would soon be processed against families who were participants in drug running and distribution in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. Brian Simon, who finally admitted that he was one of the others (informants) for the federal government, was blessed to partially recover from his devastating injuries which left him in a coma for six months. Within the past year, he was in rehab and finally able to walk with a cane. He continued to have difficulty speaking and could not fully control his facial muscles, causing his saliva to drip down his chin, on occasion.

Dexter Simon, Brian’s older brother, who had researched and written about his family’s history, had received attention from several television shows wanting to interview him about his best-selling book called, The Sins of my Fathers. It was Dexter’s research and chronicles based on his research for the book which brought many questions to bear, and caused a suit to be filed against four citizens of the State.

Specifically, the question is whether the lands stolen from his ancestors, could be recovered from those who own the lands today. Or, more pointedly, should the descendants be compensated for their forefathers’ losses based on the development of those lands which, in some cases, produced billions of dollars in revenue. The jury must decide. It is a case which has been brought before the court against four of Louisiana’s most prominent citizens and their fortunes. While these individuals enjoy the finer things in life, afforded them by their access to higher education and amassed wealth, their counterparts whose forefathers lost their lands, are living paycheck-to-paycheck with no bank accounts, little education in the family and nothing to pass down to their offspring. What’s the obligation, if any? If not, why not? Is this a question of legal consequence or one of moral requisite? Must a gulf always exist between the haves and have-nots, and how wide should it remain? Is there a duty for the wrongs of the past to be righted by the present? Can any losses be quantified?

Let the Jury decide!

Chapter 1

Theresa Rene Malveaux won the heated election for Lafayette Parish District Attorney against the longtime politician, Earnest Toussaint. Toussaint’s re-election bid was considered weak by most of the political insiders. Malveaux used the recent indictments by the U.S. Attorney General to her best advantage. Since the arrest of some of the state’s top officials and businessmen, it was clear to most residents that it was time for a change in Louisiana politics. Trever Levy, her longtime friend and confidant, stood by her side every step of the way. And for his part, he brought along Chase Pierce to work in her campaign efforts in canvassing the communities.

Politics was new to Chase, and it showed. Nevertheless, his honesty helped him to overcome his immaturity. Many people voted for Theresa because they simply liked Chase. Theresa recognized his charm and considered asking him to join her team of lawyers when she took office later. For the time being, she needed someone of his character and dedication to attend the courtroom proceedings, starting in two weeks, to observe the first of the trials in the 204th District Court.

I just need you to take notes from your perspective, Chase. I know there are reporters there and yeah, I know they will be reporting back to the public, but … I want your perspective on what’s going on. Besides, I think it will be very good for you, said Theresa.

Oh, you think it will be good for me, huh? asked Chase.

I think so. I think you will find that this trial will not just be what’s happening today, but I think they are going to go back in time… you know…back into the past generations of these guys. I think you might find some of that info to be interesting, Theresa said.

I do have a practice you know. I mean, I do have to make a living too. So, what do you have in mind? asked Chase.

Well, I’m not in office yet, but I think I can arrange to cover some expenses for you, if I can give you a title. How about my Campaign Political Advisor? asked Theresa.

What? I don’t know a thing about politics, Theresa, responded Chase.

"I know that…you know that…and Trever knows that, too. But the way you handle yourself, nobody else will know. Just be inquisitive and be focused on the situation at hand. I’m not concerned…I know you can do it. You arrange your schedule so you can be there for about a month. I’ll make up the difference," said Theresa.

Are you sure you want me to do this, Theresa? Are you sure I can do this? asked Chase.

I have faith in you, Chase. You need to have faith in yourself. Now let’s talk about the players here. You’re going to be in the company of some powerful people. At least, they were at one time. But listen…all you will be doing is recording what you see and hear. Now, let me tell you who the players are. You know some of these guys and their families. You’re going to experience some emotional highs and lows in there – especially when you look into their faces and the faces of their families. I have a list here. Okay, take a look at this, said Theresa.

Okay, let’s see … Avery Balthazar, owner of the Lafayette Glass and Light Company. What this guy did with his family business will boggle your mind. Nobody would have ever thought that old man Avery would be involved in anything illegal, said Theresa.

What did they do? I mean what were they involved with to get caught up in a federal sting like that? asked Chase.

Listen, Chase, you’re going to hear a lot of things about a lot of people down here, trust me. But wait…there’s more. It’s been quiet for a long time, but I remember several years ago, there were rumors about some drugs being distributed throughout the state and into Texas and Arkansas by a family out of southern Louisiana. Now things settled down for a few years and apparently the players shifted their operation around. Now I hear that the feds have gone back quite a ways into the past to snare some families who channeled some of their profits into other businesses to launder their money, reported Theresa.

Who are some of the other players you know? Are they well known? asked Chase.

I’m not privy to all the names…there’s a lot of speculation going around, but I can’t know for sure until the trial starts. I do hear that the Boudreaux family should be worried, along with the ‘Doucette’s and some Simon’s, Roubenaux and Pierce families too.

Simon and Pierce? What the hell…Pierce, that’s my family name, Theresa.

You’re right! You are a Pierce, aren’t you? she responded.

What do you know about the Pierce’s? Do you have any names? How far back are we talking about? Come on Theresa, talk to me, asked Chase with anticipation in his voice.

Hey, I got no info on anybody, specifically. All I know is that there are some people who got caught up in the Feds sting and they are looking at the family history to see if any of the wealth they have has anything to do with their family history—that’s all I know. You know what your family history is, don’t you Chase? I mean, what did your father or your grandfather and great grandfather do for a living? How did they earn a living? Frankly, I think if anything like that got exposed about any of us, we would all be shocked. But, I suppose they did what they had to do to survive, right? That’s what life’s all about, isn’t it Chase? We do what we have to do to survive.

***

Chapter 2

Hear ye, hear ye, in the 204th Federal Court, in the State of Louisiana, the Honorable Judge Steven J. Sistern presiding—all rise!

"You may be seated!" said the Judge.

Judge Sistern scanned the courtroom to assess the mood in the air and to determine just how much energy he needed to exert to control the tempers of the lawyers. Since he was nearing his long-awaited retirement—at the end of this trial—he had to please no one, and he didn’t have to worry about reelection. When it was all added up, this would be his 145th, and the last ‘high profile’ trial.

The United States Attorney General knew the danger he faced by approving Judge Steven J. Sistern as the presiding judge, since he was a long-time member of the local community. But in the end, it was felt that this judge had the least to lose. Just last year, Sistern had presided over a case that involved a cop who was found guilty of killing a drug dealer. The judge gave him life without the possibility of parole. In another, the judge gave a 10- year sentence to a former police juror from Baton Rouge for lying before a Grand Jury concerning money laundering.

Sistern was a no-nonsense judge and that was what the Attorney General wanted. He knew that Sistern was familiar with some of the defendants, and that was the risk the AG would be taking. But given his alternatives, Sistern was the right man for the job.

Is the Plaintiff present and all counsels accounted for? asked Judge Sistern.

We are, your honor, answered Roy Ardoin, the lead lawyer for the Plaintiff.

Are the counsels for the defendants present and accounted for?

The counsels for the defense are present, your honor, responded Jesse Dubois.

Alright, now the jury has been sworn in and seated and the court reporter will be recording all proceedings. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a high profile trial --you can see the cameras in the back of the room. You can see that there are reporters sitting to my right. I recognize that members of the defendant’s family are here and some of you are just interested citizens. I will require that there be absolute silence during the time this court is in session. This trial will take place with the parties up here, and not out there where you are. Now that means I don’t want to hear any outbursts of emotions of any kind, nor do I want to hear any disrespect to anyone in this court. There will be testimony during this trial, which I suspect will last at least 2-3 weeks, and I will not tolerate anyone coming into this courtroom late. We will begin every day at 8:00 a.m. sharp, and we will take a break for lunch at about 12 noon. If anyone has to leave before that time, you’ll have to wait until 1:30 p.m. to return. Now, I don’t want to be unduly harsh on anyone, but I suggest you relieve yourselves before the court proceedings begin …Madam Clerk, have all parties been sworn in for the Plaintiff to begin testimony?

They have, your honor, answered the Clerk.

Good. The Counsel for the Plaintiff may make its opening statement…Mr. Ardoin.

"Thank you; your honor…Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the Plaintiff’s family here are citizens of the United States and residents of the state of Louisiana. As such, the Plaintiffs are entitled to all the rights and privileges afforded to any other citizen of the United States. Now we will prove to you that the defendants who are on trial here, have unduly benefited and otherwise enriched themselves by illegal and ill-gotten means at the expense of my client’s ancestors. We will show you, through expert and eye-witness testimony, that these defendants are moral criminals, and you should find them to be guilty as charged. Now, you may be saying to yourself that the defendants look like your next door neighbors…I can assure you that their counsel will try to convince you that they are just like you…hard working, church-going, law-abiding citizens, who are just trying to make a living. Indeed, some of these defendants have been elected to serve the fine citizens of this state in various capacities. However, through their cunning ways, and their devious and greedy deeds, and that of their ancestors, they have violated the very laws which were set in place to protect the law- abiding citizens of this country and this fine state.

Why—you should ask—should they be allowed to benefit from, and even pass on to their descendants, the profits they have acquired for many, many years. In fact, we will prove to you that not only did they engage in illegal business ventures, they were enriched by their ancestors, who passed their ill-gotten wealth to them. So the question you should ask yourself is; should anyone…anyone, be allowed to benefit from inherited wealth… no matter how it was acquired? We will prove to you, by the preponderance of the evidence, that the defendants were the beneficiaries of unlawful financial gain that their forefathers acquired by means of slave trade, prostitution, murder, extortion, trickery, confiscation, lying and cheating. And these defendants have profited - unduly -from it. They have enriched themselves in a citadel of a family business and have transformed their inherited wealth into businesses that many would call legitimate ones.

For example … there has been land which was legally owned by ex-slaves - I mean acres and acres right here in the Lafayette Parish - which was acquired by land-grabbers who stole it from hard working families and eventually turned it into one of this state’s finest golf courses. Yes, it’s true. This land was considered the bottom land, sold to Milo Patton and his family. Milo was forced to sell his 50 acres of land to the sons of the slave owners who set him free, for pennies of what it was worth. Milo was forced to sell it back to the brothers or they would find themselves hanging from one of the big oak trees majestically adorning the 18th hole as it stands today. Was that a fair deal ladies and gentlemen? Is it fair when one side has an overwhelming advantage over the other? Would any of you consummate a deal if you were forced to sell your home and move on, and if you didn’t like the terms and refused to accept them, the state would give you 1/10 of its worth? Would you deem that to be a fair deal? What if you said no? What if you refused? What if you refused and they took it from you and forced you to sign the deal? Then, they paid you the 1/10 and turned it into a business that was worth 10,000 times more than they paid for it?

We will prove to you, with the preponderance of the evidence, that these defendants sitting before you, are the benefactors of these immoral and Illegal deals and are today poised to pass on to their descendants, the enormous wealth they enjoy because of the misdeeds of their fore-fathers. Not only that, but we will prove to you… that they have turned that inherited wealth into other so- called businesses which have made them multi-millionaires. The question is … do they have a right and should they be allowed to unduly benefit at the expense of the poor families who are descendants of people like Milo Patton’s family or The Josh Simon family, who live from paycheck- to- paycheck, and enjoy no benefit from their forefathers’ investment in the land that these defendants have been so richly rewarded? That, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is the question. In your hearts, and after careful consideration of the facts we will present to you, we know you will agree with us, and say no. No to the unfairness! No to the illegality of transactions forced upon those poor innocent people of the past, and reward their descendants for what’s rightfully theirs. When you hear all the facts, I know you will do the right thing. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for your attention."

Alright ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have heard what the Plaintiff’s attorney wants to prove to you and now you will hear from the defense, said the judge. Counsel, who will give the opening statement for the defense?

I will, your honor, Jesse Dubois, for the defense.

Alright fine, Mr. Dubois. You may proceed.

Thank you, your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of this fine jury, first of all, I want to thank you for accepting the request that you come and serve on this jury. I realize that you have agreed to give up time away from your families and work to come and serve as you have. I know it may present some hardship for most, if not all of you. To that end, I promise you that the defense will not take it lightly that you want to get on with serving in this capacity so you can get back to your everyday lives.

Having said that, get on with it counselor, ordered Judge Sistern.

Yes, of course, your honor.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, you have just heard the opening statement from the Plaintiff’s counsel. I noticed that you have listened very carefully to every word, as I have. I’m sure you will agree with me that the Plaintiff’s counsel has embarked upon a charge, and has brought my clients before this court to answer to charges that are totally unprecedented in the history of this country. Never has there been in any court in these United States, a charge brought upon the recipient of wealth, which was passed down from their ancestors. Why the very idea that you cannot pass your hard-earned fortune - no matter how large or small - to your children and your grandchildren. Why, that’s what the Bible says we should do in the book of Proverbs … Here, hand me that Bible, please. Look at it. Look what it says here ... in the book of Proverbs.

Objection!

What are you objecting to, Mr. Ardoin? asked the judge.

Your honor, the counsel has not established the Bible as an exhibit, and indeed we don’t even know which version of the Bible he’s quoting from.

Objection is overruled. This is his opening statement, Mr. Ardoin. I remind you, we are not in the argument stage… continue with your opening statement Mr. Dubois, ordered the judge.

Thank you, your honor. As I was stating, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the book of Proverbs 13:22 says … ‘A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.’ Now, what reasonable thinking person will interpret that statement to be anything other than you ought to provide for your descendants? In fact, it would be against the Holy Bible if a man fails to do just that. It’s plain and simple…nothing complicated about what a good person should do with his wealth, is there? So, I want you to remember that when the Plaintiff’s attorney starts arguing against what the Bible says an honorable man should do. That’s not a crime! That’s what they will be trying to convince you to agree with…but we want you to reject their arguments…all of them. It is preposterous to think that my clients, who are good, church-going, God-fearing Christians, have done anything wrong by receiving their family’s wealth. That’s it…there’s nothing else. And yet…the Plaintiff’s attorney here—in their infinite wisdom—is accusing my clients of wrong doing, by accepting what was rightly provided for them by their fore-fathers. Do y’all smell something fishy here…huh? Something doesn’t quite add up, does it? Ladies and gentlemen, like I said, I’m truly sorry that you were called to serve the court in this way. For that, I apologize. Your honor, I move to ask the court to call this a mistrial and release my clients…all of them… from this unlawful prosecution. The plaintiff has no right to interrupt the lives of these fine, honorable men, whose families have served their communities well, for over three generations.

Mr. Dubois, your request for a motion to call a mistrial is denied! There are sufficient reasons for the plaintiff to bring forth his complaint before this jury to decide the guilt or innocence of the defendants …. Counsel, are you finished with your opening statement? asked judge Sistern.

Dubois made a slow 360-degree turn as he surveyed the entire courtroom. The members of the jury, made up of five women and three men, sat upright in their seats, gazing at every move Dubois made. Members of the press were writing reports as quickly as they could.

Dubois completed his opening statement and walked back to his seat behind the huge oak counsel table. The courtroom was quiet as Ardoin, counsel for the plaintiff, rose from his seat and stood behind his desk while looking at Dubois. Judge Sistern looked at Ardoin sternly, delaying his speech. Ardoin returned the gaze and finally walked towards the jury box. When he arrived at the box, he turned towards the judge and asked, May I call my first witness, your honor?

Yes, Mr. Ardoin, please call your first witness.

Thank you, your honor. I would like to call Mr. Landry Simon to the stand.

Landry Simon, the 89-year old man who brought the complaint against the defendants on behalf of his family, stood up from his seat at the rear of the courtroom, and walked slowly towards the front. Assisted in his walk with a cane, he made it to the witness stand and faced the court bailiff. He raised his right hand as the bailiff swore him in.

Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give to this court will be true and correct, so help you God?

Yes sir.

Judge Sistern instructed Mr. Simon to have a seat on the witness stand and pull the microphone closer to him before speaking. Ardoin began.

"Now sir, Mr. Simon, please –for the record –what is your full name?"

Landry Simon.

You don’t have a middle name, Mr. Simon?

Nawsir, I don’t.

And also, for the record, how old were you on your last birthday?

I was 89 years old.

And Mr. Simon, can you tell the court how old your mother and father were when they passed away? Ah… I assume your parents are deceased, am I correct in that assumption?"

"Yes sir, they both ben gone. Ma daddy died first when he wus 69 years old. He died on his way ta church. My momma passed away when she wus 77."

And what was the cause of her death?

Don’t rightly know, sir. They say her heart gave out when she wus in tha chicken yard. She fell down face-furst.

Objection, your honor… relevancy! objected Dubois.

Your honor, I’m developing a foundation with this witness, answered Ardoin.

I will allow it. You may continue, counsel.

Thank you, your honor… Mr. Simon, would you like a tissue? Your eyes are tearing. Is it because I mentioned your parents? asked Ardoin.

Well, I reckon that might be true. Both my daddy and my momma worked real hard for us kids … all 11 of us. Mr. Simon wiped his eyes and nose with the tissue and righted himself.

Alright, Ardoin continued. What sort of work did your parents do?

"My daddy worked the land up until he wus about 17. Then the first war came and he went to work at the saw mill owned by old man Mason and his family. He drove a team of mules out of tha woods until he had to retire at 68. He just worked hisself ta death. He died the next year. My momma worked for the Toussaint’s from New Iberia almost all her life. She took care they chillen –fed ’em; bathed ’em; and cleaned up after ’em – then she came home in tha evening and did tha same thang for us till we went ta bed ’bout 9 o’clock."

You say your father worked the land until he was 17. What land was that, Mr. Simon? ... How much land, and how did he get it? asked Ardoin.

At one time, my grandfather had over 1,500 acres of land along the Louisiana coast, all the way up here to Lafayette.

Really?

Yes sir…that’s true.

How do you know that, Mr. Simon?? What proof do you have? questioned Ardoin.

I got a copy of all the deeds where my grandfather either bought tha land or they gave some land to him. Either way, his name is on all tha deeds, that’s for sho.

What was your grandfather’s name?

Josh Simon. Before he wus bought by Mr. Ariel Simon, my daddy told me his daddy’s name used ta be Nibuto, born in West Africa.

Objection, your honor…Hearsay!

I will allow his testimony of what his father told him, Mr. Dubois. Objection overruled, said the judge.

Now Mr. Simon, you say you have deeds showing your grandfather owned 1,500 acres of land. Are you referring to these documents on this table right here? said Dubois, pointing to the Plaintiff’s table.

Yes sir, those are copies of tha deeds. Some of ’em got wet in that big flood we had some years ago, but I saved ’em anyway.

Your honor, may I approach the witness?

You may.

Do these records look familiar to you, Mr. Simon?

Yes sir…those are tha deeds I kept that my father gave ta me and some of ’em came from my uncles who had some land theyselves. When they got sick, and they families didn’t want ta live on tha land any mo, they willed they land ta my daddy, then ta me.

Now Mr. Simon, take a look at this document labeled P-105. The title of this document says Lafayette Parish Official Records, does it not? asked Ardoin.

Yassir, that’s right.

Look here on line…75… what does that say? asked Ardoin.

It say 500 acres sold to B. J. Toussaint.

And… look at line 215… what does it say?

It say 500 acres sold to S. T. Pierce.

Who does it say that sold the land to Mr. Toussaint and Mr. Pierce?

It say, signed by Josh Simon.

Is Josh Simon your grandfather?

Yes sir, but that ain’t my grandfather’s signature.

That’s not your grandfather’s signature, Mr. Simon? … why do you say that?

Cause my grandfather couldn’t read or write.

Oh, no? And who does it say here on the last page that witnessed the signature of your grandfather?

Looks like it say… Boyd J. Doucette. That’s ole man Doucette who own the cemetery and all them funeral homes, said Mr. Landry.

The judge interrupted, hammering down his gavel… Ladies and gentlemen, this court will be in recess for lunch until 1:30 p.m.

***

Chapter 3

When the judge recessed for the morning session at 12:17 a.m., Chase Pierce, who sat through the opening statements, and listened to Landry Simon recount his family’s history and that of his grandfather, rushed out of the courtroom to make some telephone calls. His first call was to the newly-elected Parish Attorney, Theresa Malveaux. Then he called his good buddy, Trever Levy.

Trever, you won’t believe what’s happened so far in the courtroom. Mr. Landry Simon was the only witness so far, and he is laying out a compelling case for this jury.

What did he have to say? asked Trever.

I’ll tell you what—can you meet me at Theresa Malveaux’s office? I want to tell you what happened at the same time I tell her.. But, I only have about an hour for lunch before I need to get back in there for this afternoon’s session, before 1:30. I got a feeling this afternoon is going to be a bombshell!

Okay, okay! I’ll stop and get us some sandwiches, and I’ll meet you there in about 30 minutes, said Trever.

Okay, but you better hurry.

Chase wasted no time getting to Theresa’s office. She was waiting for him when he arrived. Trever came in 15 minutes later and hustled up to the second-floor conference room. Chase was excited to relay the testimony of Landry Simon. Each time he spoke, he lowered his sandwich and was never able to eat more than a bite or two of his po-boy sandwich.

Listen, I’ve got to get back into that courtroom, guys. Judge Sistern is a real stickler about being late and nobody…I mean nobody will be allowed after he lowers that gavel again. I’ll get back here after court ends today about 5 p.m. So what do you think, Theresa?

Like I said, you’re going to hear some things in this trial that are going to shock you and disgust you at the same time. They will bring out some things that his grandfather and even his grandfather’s father did. Don’t be surprised when it all rolls down to this generation either. You just keep your eyes open, Chase. Just keep your ears open, right Trever?

There are no surprises anymore, Chase. Things may have been kept secret for years, but the way things are these days, it’s going to be exposed sooner or later, said Trever.

Well, it’s sooner time, guys. Trust me… it’s sooner time!

At exactly 1:30 p.m, Judge Sistern walked briskly back into the courtroom.

All rise…court is now in session, instructed the bailiff.

You may be seated, said Judge Sistern. The jury is seated and the court reporter is ready, so…are you ready to resume with your witness, Mr. Ardoin?

Yes, your honor…I call Mr. Landry Simon to the stand.

Mr. Simon made his way back to the witness stand, walking slowly, with the help of his daughter, Cece. She left him at the plaintiff’s table to walk the rest of the way alone. The judge and Mr. Dubois waited patiently until he sat down.

"Mr. Simon, I remind you that you are under oath, do you understand that?" asked Judge Sistern.

Yassir, I do.

You may resume, Mr. Ardoin.

Mr. Simon, you recall before the break, that I asked you about the official parish record which showed the signature of a Josh Simon, who is your grandfather…do you recall?"

Yes sir, I do. I said that wus not my grandfather’s signature ’cause he didn’t know how ta read or write like that."

So, how do you suppose the signature got there?

Objection!…It calls for the witness to speculate."

Sustained!…withdraw your question, Mr. Ardoin.

I’ll withdraw the question and ask you this…Do you have knowledge as to how your grandfather acquired such a vast amount of land, since he was a former slave, and not allowed to own anything—including the place where he lived? asked Dubois. Just tell us what you know for a fact…and not your opinion. Can you do that, Mr. Simon?

Yes sir, I can do that. I can tell you everything I know about my grandfather, all tha way back when he wus born.

For the benefit of the jury, please recount what you know about your grandfather, including the events leading up to his purchase by Ariel Simon, and his subsequent freedom, and beyond to his death in 1909, said Ardoin.

"It goes like this…my grandfather was born about 1843. Thay say his father was a Mulatto, but we knew his father was a white man, and his momma was from West Africa. He grew up on the Forrest Plantation and was given the job of taking care of the cows. He wus good looking, and was treated