After my friend spent 30 days in jail, he had already been found guilty, and the appeals process began. After two appeals, his conviction was overturned, and the case was suddenly closed with a happy ending. The two guys my friend had struck with the tire iron needed stitches, and evidently there were other further injuries claimed by one of them. Judge Judy field researchers caught wind of the case, and they offered to fly us all out to LA to make it a show. It was quite an adventure, and of course my friend was cleared in self defense again, not owing any damages. We went everywhere in LA, and we even crashed a hotel wedding party featuring several celebrities. The result of everything seems rather strange, but the whole ordeal was extremely serious. It is a time that taught me many difficult lessons.
The actual events happened in 2000, and the trip to California was in 2001. What really agitates me is how certain I was at the time of the attack that my best friend was justified in hitting them over the head with a tire iron. The courts proved it, and he had done it to help me when I was down on the ground in a fight. It was a very controversial case with two appeals, and that is why the show even picked it up. It's something I'll never forget, thinking of my friend protecting me by hitting those two guys over the head with a tire iron. Was it justified? I'm not so sure anymore, but my friend protected me; I do know that.
Three DUI's later, he was less concerned about whether or not the assault had made it on his record. If you're really wondering what my take is on the situation, well, he is my friend. I stuck by his side through everything, and I left the judgment for the true judge. What I think is that we all make plenty of mistakes, both on purpose and also when trying to do the right thing for God, other people, and ourselves. I know what God wanted me to learn from the incident, and I let go, giving it over to the one who knows all. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7.
