Meanwhile, Devon and his father arrive at a private courthouse entrance. Robert Taylor is tall, distinguished, with the same calm demeanor as his son. FBI agents flank them. “You okay?” Robert asks quietly. “Better now,” Devon replies. “I didn’t mean for all this. You stood your ground respectfully. I’m proud of you.” Robert squeezes his shoulder. “But this isn’t just about your project anymore.” They enter a conference room where Laura Chen waits with several Justice Department officials. Maps of the city cover one wall with certain neighborhoods highlighted. Ms. Chen has been invaluable. An aid tells Robert. She’s compiled substantial evidence of Judge Harmon’s pattern of discriminatory rulings. Laura nods. It correlates directly with Devon’s air quality research. The neighborhoods with poorest environmental protections match exactly with where Judge Harmon’s rulings have been most severe against minorities.
Robert studies the maps. And these correlate with Senator Whitfield’s development investments perfectly. Another aid confirms the senator’s shell companies have been buying property in these areas for years after environmental regulations were selectively unenforced. Devon examines his project. That explains why Judge Harmon was so determined to destroy my research. It proves the connection. Robert turns to his son. You stumbled onto something bigger than either of us realized. Your environmental justice project exposed actual injustice. A knock at the door. Judge Harmon enters, flanked by his own attorney. The temperature in the room seems to drop. Attorney General Taylor, Judge Harmon begins stiffly. This theatrical display is hardly necessary for what amounts to a misunderstanding about a school project.
Robert doesn’t offer his hand. This meeting isn’t about my son’s project, though that incident provided the thread that unraveled a disturbing pattern. Please sit. For the next hour, Justice Department officials present evidence of Judge Harmon’s judicial misconduct. Discriminatory sentencing patterns, selective enforcement of environmental regulations, suspicious connections to Senator Whitfield’s business interests. Charts display the data clearly. In neighborhoods with high minority populations, the same ones Devon’s project showed had poor air quality, defendants received sentences averaging 40% longer than identical cases from other neighborhoods. Phone records reveal calls between Judge Harmon’s chambers and Senator Whitfield’s office immediately preceding key environmental rulings that benefited the senator’s development companies.
Judge Harmon’s attorney interjects repeatedly, but each objection is met with more damning evidence. “This is a political witch hunt,” Judge Harmon finally explodes. “I’ve served on this bench for 20 years.” “Yes,” Robert replies evenly. “And we’ve reviewed 20 years of your rulings. Care to explain why defendants from certain neighborhoods receive sentences averaging 40% longer than identical cases from other neighborhoods?” Judge Harmon looks to his attorney, who appears increasingly uncomfortable. Or perhaps, Robert continues, you can explain these phone calls between your chambers and Senator Whitfield’s office immediately preceding key environmental rulings. The judge’s face goes pale. I want immunity. His attorney stands abruptly. My client is not making statements at this time.
