This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

The next day we received a phone call from attorneys in New Orleans who said they would be with us to represent the grandparents. We found out later they were from the largest law firm in New Orleans. Our attorney sent them copies of all the documents Mr. G. had left us plus our wedding certificates.
Then the media got wind of the story. First there was the local paper and then we heard there were national headlines from New York to San Francisco that read: ?Mississippi vs. John Gregory, Jr.? Reporters hounded us day and night. We ended up blocking the driveway and staying out of the public eye as much as possible.
On the day before the trial was to begin our attorney arrived at our house and we went over all the documents we had. Then the children?s grandparents arrived, followed soon by three lawyers from New Orleans who arrived in the longest limousine I had ever seen.
Then next morning when we arrived at the courthouse you could hardly push your way through the crowd. Finally a deputy escorted us in. The courthouse was filled to capacity and they had even set up speakers outside for those who could not get in. We were fortunate many of our friends had arrived early and filled the best seats.
The prosecutor?s opening remarks made it very clear this was a race issue even though they would deny it. They asked how a young black couple could raise two white children and provide them a stable home life. Our attorneys were adamant that we were the ones that loved them the most and were perfectly capable of raising them. Our attorneys also made it very clear this was a race issue. The judge stepped in and stated: ?This will not be a trial based on race.?
The prosecutors brought witness after witness, most of them with credentials as long as your arm. Our attorneys questioned every one of them on their ability to make a fair decision on how someone else?s children should be raised. All of the first day was devoted to hearing the prosecutor?s case. They were careful not to call us to the stand.
Our attorneys started off the second day by calling the children?s grandparents. They insisted they were in favor of us raising the children and they were not shaken by the prosecutor?s questions. Then the attorneys called businessmen and bankers who attested to the financial stability of the family. Then friends that known us all our lives were called.
Finally Rosa and I were called. Rosa broke down on the stand and a recess had to be called. In the end her testimony was probably the best. I took the stand and told how Mr. G. had clearly stated in writing, through his will, and verbally that he wanted us to raise my brother and sister.
Then our attorneys called Beverly to the stand. The prosecutors objected and all the attorneys were called to the bench. The judge ruled he would talk to Beverly and William in his chambers. It wasn?t long before the judge came out and stood so everyone could hear.
?It is the finding of this court, through preponderance of the evidence presented, and due to the express wishes of Mr. John Gregory, Sr. that this case is without merit.
38