Judge Hardaway was seated behind a counter wearing a black robe. Standing he looked at Howie, stated his name and the charges against him. He asked for a plea. Howie stood and said, “Guilty, your honor.” The evidence was indisputable. His long arrest record was also against \him. Howard stood and was silent. The room had about twenty-five people sitting there. He knew no one. His stomach had a sick acid feel to it. He was sad from dread of what was going to happen to him. He did not want more wasted years in prison. This was likely what he was going to get.
Ellis McCain was in the audience. He stood up and asked permission to speak. He got it. After identifying himself, explaining he was a private detective who had worked on cases related to Howard’s stolen gun trade, related crimes, and a series of activities against the notorious Satan’s Skull gang, he explained that he had for some time got to know Howard Skinner. Ellis stated that he interrogated Howie many times about city crimes, gun sales to crooks, and the existence and operation of the Satan’s Skull gang. Howie had provided much information to Ellis McCain. Some of it was helpful at preventing