My Silence Shall Be My Defense

In these days of great desperation, despair and poverty, to be born into a wealthy family could be considered a sign of luck. Money could open doors, but it could also close them. It could enslave a man and in some cases set a man free. It could turn a brother against a brother, a sister against a sister and true friends into enemies. A rich old man was once asked if he would trade his wealth for youth, in which he replied and said; who needs youth when you've got money? A poor man in his youth was also asked if he would trade his youth for money, in which he replied and said; who needs money when you've got youth? In essence, money should be a means to an end and not the end itself. However, it all depends on who you talk to. That said, none of us could dispute the fact that for us living money means life. Money rules supreme in a world, which has arrived in the cosmic time of great poverty and need. At time which was predicted to bring distrust and treason amongst men.

Simon Akoto was born into a very wealthy family and he never needed to work. Servants attended to his overall needs at the snap of his finger. He attended for his education the best institution which money could afford. Simon never carried money in his pockets. All because, his parents paid everything beforehand for their son. For the less fortunate, Simon's life was a dream- a beautiful dream. A dream which made him the envy of the town and its people. Simon was also a bachelor-an eligible bachelor. He said that he was waiting on the right person. Hence, his need not to haste into marriage. There was this particular young lady by the name of Akos, who had her eyes set on this eligible bachelor. She fantasized marrying Simon. Then again, who could blame her? Not only was Simon a rich young man, but he was also very well read and handsome. Occasionally, this young lady would be spotted at parties thrown by Simon. Of course, dancing and drinking herself to the stupor with the intent to catch Simon's attention.

One day Akos felt herself extremely lucky, when she invited Simon over to her house and he actually said yes. You would've seen the surprise on her face when Simon arrived at her place. See, she didn't expect him to come. They both started talking and Akos kept the drinks coming. Akos loved to drink. It didn't take long before Akos started making her advances towards Simon. Simon told her point blank that he didn't come for that. He told her that he just wanted to make new friends. Obviously drunk and not paying attention, this girl continued to stripe and fondle herself in front of Simon. Simon told her to stop, but Akos continued. So what did Simon do? He stood up and left. Akos, feeling utterly outraged and rejected tore her underwear in pieces. She took up the knife and caught herself open. She deliberately hit her head against the wall. She went on to wrinkle her neatly made bed, and that started screaming for help after that. When her neighbors finally arrived, she told them that she has been raped by Simon. The police without hesitation went to Simon's house and picked him up.

During the court hearing of this case, Simon was asked how he pleas. Guilty or not guilty? His only answer was; my silence shall be my defense. "Are you admitting your guilt or innocence?" the judge asked. Simon didn't utter a word. His refusal not to answer any questions meant his lawyers couldn't defend him. He was hereby sentenced to jail without parole. This verdict came as a shock to Simon's friends, who always believed in his innocence. They pledged among themselves to find the truth. One of Simon's friends came up with a plan to throw an exclusive party. An invitation only party. Akos also received her invitation card to this party. During the party, Akos was seen downing one cocktail after the other. It didn't take long before she started revealing to one of Simon's friends, whom she didn't know was Simon's friend what actually took place on that fateful day. What Akos didn't know was that the whole party was a setup to trap her. Simon's friend had her confession on tape. He handed this tape to one of Simon's lawyers. Simon got released and Akos was sentenced to jail a disgraced woman. Indeed, Simon's silence proved itself golden. But the question is; was this silence also wise?