My Best Student Ended Up in Court, and I Had to Testify Against Him — Then a Little Girl Revealed the Truth

10. The Judge Asked Ben One More Question

The judge turned toward Ben.

“Benjamin, is everything shown in this recording accurate?”

Ben nodded.

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Why didn’t you tell your teacher what happened?”

Ben looked down.

“Because everyone was laughing. I didn’t want them to laugh at my mother again.”

“Did you understand that pushing Tyler could hurt him?”

“Yes.”

“Did you understand that damaging his phone was wrong?”

“Yes.”

The judge paused.

“Then why did you refuse to apologize?”

Ben took a deep breath.

“Because I thought if I apologized without telling the truth, everyone would believe he did nothing wrong. I don’t want him to keep doing this to other people.”

He looked toward Tyler.

“I know I shouldn’t have pushed you. I know I shouldn’t have kicked your phone. But you shouldn’t have used my mother to make everyone laugh.”

For the first time, Tyler looked uncomfortable.

His parents exchanged worried glances.

The judge asked for a short recess so the lawyers could review the recording and discuss the additional evidence.