Thursday, October 27, 2011: Holy Cow Sam! Today was the day! I can honestly speak for both Adriana Coronel Tenorio (AKA Adriana Howitt Coronel, Ari Coronel, Ari Coronel Tenorio, Ari Howitt, Ari Howitt Coronel) and myself that we both walked out of court without the 1,000 pound gorilla on both of our backs. Frankly, I forgot how that felt.
We met as agreed and although we had to wait a little bit for a case before us to wrap up, Alfredo did a great job entertaining Maria Guadalupe Tenorio Toledano (AKA Lupita Tenorio, Marsha Tenorio) and their friend while I spent time with Adriana keeping her smiling, not giving her any reason to change her mind. For good measure I snuck up on Maria Guadalupe and planted a big kiss on her forehead. The look of shock on her face was priceless.
The judge dropped what she was doing to draft the pardon. It’s interesting because the prosecutor’s office all echoed the same sentiment about this case – asking Adriana why she did not drop it sooner. She gave the answer everyone wanted to hear. Then after all the papers were signed I chimed in, noting that I was wondering the same thing. I added that the judge shares some of the responsibility too because she knew this case was based on all lies yet she still found me at fault for something that never even happened when she could have dropped the case herself. As we were walking out the translator, who is also an attorney, told me that everyone in Mexico accused of a crime is guilty even if they are innocent. That the house wins 95% of the time no matter what. Not this time. Although hind sight being what it is, that explains the “instigation” part.
After this was all over, we went to lunch to smooth things over and restore balance. At least for now things are amicable. Maria Guadalupe is ecstatic because she can get out of dodge now. She can’t leave soon enough if you ask her. I am exhausted Sam. I tried to watch what turned out to be an epic Game 6 of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals. I opted for complete and utter silence as I lay flat on the bed falling asleep a little after 7:00. Tomorrow is another day. I LOVE YOU!
