Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:40:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Joe Collins <joecollins7420@yahoo.com>
Subject: Avalanche Chapter 8

This story contains the idea of man/man sex. However, there is not a lot of
graphic descriptions but the idea is still there. If you are under the
legal age or this is prohibited in your area, Please leave now. This story
and characters are fictional, only the place names are real. If you care to
e-mail me my address is


Chapter 8

That evening, Louie wanted to go to dinner at one of his favorite restaurants, a
place where all the kids liked to get together. When they walked in, Mike
noticed that most of the patrons were of Louie's age. Several of his old friends
were there and he had a nice chat with them. Mike suggested that he might like
to sit with his friends.

"Are you sure you want to do this. That would mean that you would be all by
yourself."

"Relax, Louie, remember I had many meals by myself before I met you. Another one
won't kill me. So get out of here and go join your friends. Catch up on old
times!"

After a couple of hours, Louie came back to Mike's booth. "Mike, I am really
scared now. I've heard my stepfather has been in all the papers. He has been
charged with 2 accounts of murder, plus 14 accounts of statutory rape of minors
and a whole bunch of other things. There is another man charged with the same
things. I don't even know who he is. I just wonder how many others are involved
in this whole mess!" Louie said with a worried expression on his face.

"Louie, you didn't do any talking, Did you? Just remember what Susan has told
you. You really don't want anything to go wrong at this stage of the game. The
trial starts tomorrow and soon it will all be over."

"No, I didn't. I was just a listener. Several times, I had to bite my lip but I
managed to keep quiet All I had to do was look in your direction and got all the
reassurance I needed," Louie said with confidence.

"Look, Louie. you were not involved in your step-father's wrong doings except as
a victim and nothing is your fault. Remember that...only a victim You did the
right thing. There will be many young boys who won't have to suffer as you have
done, once he sent to prison. They will be able to lead a very different life.
Be absolutely sure of one thing... I will always be here at your side."

"The whole town will know that I am gay." Louie said with a frown and concern
written all over his face.

"Louie, that won't matter. I used to think the same thing. Look how many
straight friends we have back home. We can go anywhere and people don't look
down their nose at us. We are accepted by the entire community and can go to
church and sit in the same pew with them. If there are people who don't like
that we are together, they keep it to themselves. The loud mouthed ones who are
like my cousin, Pastor Tom in Arizona, we don't want to know."

"I know but I grew up in this town. I know it will be different. I..." Louie just
couldn't go on. He just sat there and started sobbing.
A young men detached himself from the group of young men and women that he was
with, came over and put his arms around Louie's shoulders.


"Louie, you have a lot to cry about. I want to tell you that in my books you are
a real hero. I know that the most of this town feels the same way. Those that
don't, I feel sorry for. I know that I won't have or want any of them as
friends. There are many young boys and young men who your step-father deeply and
permanently hurt. You are a super hero in their eyes, I know because I am one of
them! Hold your head high and be proud of what you are doing. I wish that I
could tell you more but I am going to be one of the witnesses that will be
called. Hearing and reading about you gave me courage to tell my story, too. I
just hope and pray that I can be as strong as you are."

"You will be young man. It took a lot of strength and courage for you to come
forward. I am sure that the worst is over. You will have the rest of your life
to live without looking back and hanging you head in shame." Mike said hugging
both young men.

The young man went on, "I just wish that it was all over. Just as soon as the
trial is over, I am leaving town and never coming back. I don't suppose

I'm violating Ms. Cooper's instructions if I tell you the other man on trial is
my Dad, who owns local bank. I was sexually abuse by both of them on a regular
basis since I was 15. I was planning to kill both of them but now I won't have
too. I will finally be free." sobbed the young man. "I want to see them
convicted and sent to prison. I wish that he would get the death sentence but he
won't because I don't think he was involved with the killings but I may be
wrong. I know that he was the camera man for the videos you turned over to the
police. I found several more. I think the police have a very strong case against
both of our dads."

"I can't keep calling you `young man'. What would you like for me to call you?"
Asked Mike.

"My name is Aaron. However, all my friends call me Bud. I would like it very
much if you called me Bud."

"Bud, I am Mike Long and of course you know Louie. It is getting late, so I will
say good-night and see you in the morning. Bud, I don't mean to pry, but do you
have a place to stay tonight.?

"Yes, I am staying with some friends. Thanks for asking. We can do more visiting
tomorrow at the trial," Bud replied
Bud hugged Louie and Mike, then returned to his friends. Mike and Louie hung out
in the restaurant for a little longer, then went back to Louie's motel room.
Mike and Louie laid out their clothes for the trial, had keep-your-spirits-up
sex, and slept fitfully, until they went to the courthouse
Going through security, they shared encouraging looks and found the court room
assigned to "People of the State of Oregon v. Willis and Stetser". They were
told they had to split up, Mike into the courtroom and Louie into a room with
the other anticipated trial witnesses. An armed deputy Sheriff was stationed at
the door to the room. Louie caught a last glimpse of Mike as he entered.

Even though they got to the courtroom early, Mike found the court room filled
with people. It was a wood paneled, high ceiling room, like a shoebox, with the
entry doors at the rear, the judge's bench, witness and jury box across the
front. Several chairs were arranged below and in front of the bench and Mike
noticed a court reporter with he distinctive stenotype machine sat in one chair
while a clerk sat in the other. There were two long tables in front of the bench
with chairs behind them. The jury had been selected earlier.

Everyone was just waiting for the trial to start. Mike found a seat in the
spectator's section of the courtroom. He and the other spectators waited for the
trial to start, And waited, And waited. After what seemed like a whole day but
actually was only two hours, the uniformed court officer came out, followed by
the trial judge.

"All rise, Oyez, Oyez, Oyez, The Superior Court in and for the County of Marion
is now in session, Judge Charles R. Hannum presiding. All persons having
business with the Court in the matter of "People of the State of Oregon v Willis
and Stetser" draw near and give notice. God save the State of Oregon and this
Honorable court. Please cease all conversation and turn off all mobile phones,
pager and other devices if you have not already done so. Good morning, Your
Honor."

The judge mounted the two steps onto the bench and sat down. "Good morning,
Deputy. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. You may be seated. We'll now open
proceedings in People v. Willis and Stetser"

With that, the members of the jury were escorted in and were seated in the jury
box. The witnesses were brought in and found seating in the courtroom. Assistant
DA Cooper Trudeau took a seat at the table closest to the jury box, alone. Two
dark suited men took seats at the table next to the ADA. Finally the two accused
men, were brought into the court room. Two armed guards apiece escorted the
defendants to the counsel table and watched them with hawk-like intensity.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for the inconvenience and the long delay. I
am told the accused Mr. John Willis and Mr. Ben Stetser, have reached a plea
bargain agreement with the people. Is that understanding correct, Ms. District
Attorney?"

"That is correct, Your Honor" Cooper Trudeau said.

Judge Hannum turned to the jurors in the jury box. With a practiced smile, he
said, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, you may now be excused and leave the
courtroom. Do not leave feeling that you have played no role in the matter as
such a feeling would be both untrue and unjust to you activities in this case.
Because of the prospect, the risk, the jeopardy of proceeding to trial, both the
defendants and the people have come to an agreement that will dispense with the
need of your continued service. Please lead the courtroom and return to your
lives and occupations with the thanks of the Court and your fellow Marion County
Citizens." A bailiff opened the jury room door and the jurors filled out.

After a brief pause as the last of the jurors and alternates disappeared in the
jury room. The Judge looked at the defendants and said, "Mr. Willis and Mr.
Stetser, please rise. Madame Clerk, would you please read all the charges
against them.

The charges were read. It too an agonizing and terrible thirty five minutes as
the detals of murder, rape, torture, and conspiracy filled the courtroom air,
even in the legal phrases of the indictment.

"Mr. Willis, you had previously pleaded not guilty at your arraignment. Do you
wish to change that plea at this time?"

"You honor, I plead guilty!" A stunned hush fell upon the galley. Several
people, include ten young men started sobbing. Louie and Bud were among those
that were crying.

The Judge turned to Bud's father, the town banker, and asked the same questions
to all the charges, getting the same responses. Judge Hannum paused and began
the set piece that is the guilty plea colloquy required by Law

"Gentlemen, you are pleading guilty to all the charges, You are doing this
knowingly, willingly and voluntarily, correct?"

"That is correct Your Honor." the defendants said in unison.

"You do understand, that in making this agreement with the People you have
explicitly and permanently given up certain rights given not to testify against
yourselves, your right to a trial by jury of your peers, and your right to
confront the witnesses against you, correct?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"You understand that in consideration that in consideration of you waiving the
trial, the death penalty is no longer an option when I pronounce sentence
against you. You also realize, however, that aside from removing the death
penalty, neither you nor the People have made any agreement that will affect the
potential sentence I may impose against you considering the fact outline in the
indictment, the sentencing guidelines imposed by our state Supreme Court and in
what you will state shortly."

"Yes, we do."

"Mr. Willis, please tell the court what you did."

Louie's step-father proceeded to relate the hideous details of his years of
abuse. Louie recognized some of the story featuring Willis and his drinking
buddy, now deceased. He did not recognize the rest of the story involving his
step-day and banker Stetser. There was a gasp from within the room and then
complete silence, only a quiet sobbing could be heard.

The Judge called upon Mr. Stetser who told his story and again there was the
same reaction, only this time the sobbing and crying were more profound.

"The court will take a 15 minute recess. I would like to see Louie Harvey and
Aaron Stetser, with their representatives, the District Attorney and the defense
counsel in my chambersif any be present, in my chambers."

Everyone rose and followed with the bailiff and into the judge's chambers. Once
inside the Judge was seated behind his desk. The lawyers were standing in a
semi-circle next to the floor to ceiling bookshelves, two chairs were in place
before the Judge's desk. The Judge rose to his feet and motion to the boys to
have a seat. "Boys, I haven't met either of you so would you please introduce
yourselves. Thank you."

"I am Lewis Harvey but I go by `Louie."

"I am Aaron Stetser but I go by `Bud'."

"I am Judge Charles Hannum. You are the main surviving witnesses. You are also
victims of horrible, unspeakable abuse and betrayals by these two men. I am
obliged to order a pre-sentencing report that I will be given to read before I
pronounce sentence in about 60 days. At that sentencing hearing, the law
requires me to give the victims an opportunity to explains what impact the
defendants' crimes have had on you. You are not required to make a victim impact
statement but you may if you wish. It may help you deal with these
circumstances, so you should give that some thought. What will happen next today
is we will shortly go back into the courtroom and I will accept the defendant's
plea bargain."

"While I am handling , the criminal case against Willis and Stetser, your
situations have come to my attention, thanks to ADA Cooper Trudeau. This
conversation with you is coming a lot sooner than I had anticipated. I can and
will take jurisdiction of your personal cases for the time being. Bud, since you
are under age, you are now a ward of the State of Oregon. Your case will be
placed with the Children' Service Division and you will placed in a foster home.
Louie since you are 19, the court will appoint a legal guardian for you until
you reach the age of 21. I can do that for you today temporarily, pending
investigation and approval by CSD. Do you have anyone in mind that you would
like to have as your guardian?"

Neither Louie nor Bud had expected any of this. Looking straight at Judge Hannum
Louie said "Yes, I do. I would like to have as my legal guardian, Mr. Mike Long
of Deschutes County. He is here in the courtroom."

"Thank you both. I would like to say that I am glad for your sakes, that the
worse is over. Now you can start healing and rebuilding your lives. We must go
back into the other room and finish the proceeding. Then I would like for you
both to return and bring Mr. Long with you. I will also have a representative
from CSD in the room also. Let's go and finish the job before us."


The bailiff said in a loud clear voice "All rise, court is back in session." The
judge went up on the bench and sat down. He looked up and said "You may be
seated."

"Mr. Willis and Mr. Stetser, please rise. Thank you." The two defendants and
their lawyers stoop up. "From the indictment and your own word in your plea
agreement colloquy before me, it is clear to me that your shocking and depraved
conduct has hurt many people. I am revolted by what I have heard, but as a Judge
I have my duty to do."

Turning to Assistant DA Cooper Trudeau, Judge Hannum asked, "Are the People
satisfied with the defendants' statements on the record of their crimes as part
of the guilty plea colloquy?"

Cooper Trudeau lookd from the Judge, to the defendants, to Louie and Bud then
back to the Judge again. "Yes, Your Honor, the people are satisfied."

Judge Hannum looked at the defendants through narrowed eyes. "I reluctantly
accept your guilty pleas. I find you guilty on all accounts, with an open,
non-capital pleas as to sentence. Formal sentencing shall be set for this
courtroom before me in sixty days. The Probation Department shall prepare the
appropriate pre-sentencing report, with comments in aggravation and mitigation
from the defense and the People. At the sentencing, victim impact statements
will be heard and considered. In the meantime, all bail is revoked and both
defendants will be transported to a state correctional facility, tomorrow."

"You may be seated because I would like you to hear the rest of what I have to
say, even though you may not agree but all if any control has been removed from
you now."

Louie rose to his feet, "Your honor, I know that I will get my change to tell
Mr. Willis what I think and how I feel. However, I would like to meet with my
stepfather in a room and I would like to have Mike Long with me. This can be off
the record."

"I would also, like to meet with my dad! I would like to have Mike also."
requested Bud.

The Judge looked to the prosecution table, where Cooper Trudeau looked up from
her note taking and said "The People do not object."
The two defense attorneys, having saved their clients from death, said, "No
objection, your honor.

"Boys, this does not surprise me any at all. I am going to grant your wishes.
However, I will instruct the Sheriff's Deputies to be sure both defendants will
remain cuffed and shackle and there is to be armed guards in the room. Would you
like separate rooms or would one room be sufficient?" asked the Judge.

The boys looked at each other and did some whispering. "Judge, one room would be
just fine. Since our fathers committed their crimes together, then it is only
fitting that they hear us as part of their punishment, together." stated Louie
with Bud agreeing.

"I can see no reason to prevent this from happening. I think both of you boys
need to tell your dads what and how you feel. When this case is closed, both Mr.
Willis and Mr. Stetser will be made available," remarked the Judge. Looking out
into the spectator section, Judge Hannum said to Mike,


"Mr. Long, Louie and Aaron, I need to see you in my chambers again after you
meet with the defendants. We have some legal paper work to complete. I will wait
until after you have met with the defendants. Court is adjourned."

Mike, Louie and Bud were taken into a room next to the court room. Willis and
Stetser were sitting handcuffed and shackled. They were sitting on a bench on
the wall with their restraints passed through a large metal stanchion attached
to the floor that severely limited their movements. Both of them wore looks of
total dejection. They appeared to be broken men and each had tears rolling down
their faces.


The boys had asked Mike to do the talking for them. He, however refused. "Boys,
I think you need to say what is in your hearts. This maybe will the last time
you will ever have to tell your dad what you think and how you feel."

Bud was the first to speak. "Dad, You're no longer my father. I will be getting
a new dad and I know that it will be very easy for him to replace you. From now
on you will just be called Mr. Stetser and just a bad memory for me. I don't
even know if Mr. Stetser is a good term to call you. I have lots of names that I
want to call you but I am not going to lower myself to your level. Don't say
anything, I don't even want to hear it. I will never forgive you for all your
evil doings. Rest assured that I don't hate you only the things that you did.
However, it is very hard to separate one from the other. I know that you will
pay for all your mis-doings many times over and I can see by the look on your
face that you have already started paying. I have heard rumors about what the
other inmates do to a child rapist. I just hope that what I have heard is the
truth. You will wish for the death penalty before all of this is over."

"I am not even going to waste my time by calling you dad or Mr. Willis. I agree
with everything that Bud said. I would like to line every person you hurt and
have them march past you and even spit in your face if they so desired. I would
like to add the life without parole is a long, long time. You will have many
long days and nights to think about what you have done. I just hope and pray
that you will keep your sanity so that you will realize what a bad and evil
person you really are. Mike, I am ready to go." said Louie. He rose and started
to leave.

"Boys, please stay and talk with us." begged Mr. Willis.

"I am afraid not. You were partners in crime so talk with each other!" said
Louie as he was going out the door with Bud and Mike following close behind.

Mike, Louie and Bud were escorted into the Judge's Chambers. "I can tell by the
looks on your faces and from your reactions, That justice has been served. First
of all, I need to make some introductions of those in this room. I am Judge
Charles Hannum and I know every one but you young man, looking directly towards
Mike. You must be Mike Long from Deschutes County. Am I correct?"

"That is correct, you honor."

"This young lady is Beth Conway and she is with the Children's Services here in
Stayton. She has been assigned Aaron Stetser's case. Mrs. Conway, Aaron prefers
to go by `Bud"

"Now, down to business. Mr. Long, Louie has requested that you be appointed his
legal guardian. I want to chat with you a little to satisfy myself and that
Louie's wishes be heeded here. We can then make you temporary guardian, as it
were. This would involve you acting in his behalf on all legal matters until he
reaches the age of 21. We will need to have CSD make a character investigation
but temporarily, I can appoint you to that post, if you agree. Then at the
conclusion of their investigation, assuming the Division is satisfied, you
guardian status can be made permanent. If you agree, then all you have to do is
sign this document. Before you sign I need to have the court reporter present so
she can notarize it and make it all nice and legal" Mrs. Conway could you get
her for us, please and thank you."

"Mike, while we are waiting, may I ask how you know these two young men and are
you related to either of them?"

" I am not related to of either Louie or Bud. After Louie's episode with his
stepfather, he ran away from home and he'd apparently been living on the
streets. The week before last Christmas, he was driving over the Cascade Mt.
Pass. There was a snow slide and he tried to miss it but landed in the ditch. He
was almost frozen to death when I found him. I took him to my ranch and he has
been living with me since I found him."

At this point, Louie could contain himself no longer. "Judge Hannum, Mike
doesn't bive himself nearly enough credit. Not only did he take me in, he showed
me how to ranch and he got me professional help to deal with my abuse. He's
stood by me like a rock in preparation for this trial and all the re-hashing of
old memories it brought up."

"This true, Mr. Long?"

"Yes, Sir," Mike said.

"OK, what's your connection to Aaron Stetser?"

"I just met Bud, I mean Aaron, last night. Louie and I went to a pizza place
that Louie likes and Aaron was there." Mike then explained the scene from the
pizza restaurant from the night before.

Judge Hannum paused for a few moments. He then signed the papers and had Mike do
the same. He turned and looked at Louie. "Louie, I've had a search or two run
here in the courthouse and as a result, I know that you inherited all of your
mother's estate and it is held in trust for you. You may or may not know,
however, that Mr. Willis legally adopted you. He recently received a large
inheritance from his parents. I can't be your lawyer, but I strongly urge you
and Mr. Long to consult one. Our Legislature has adopted the "Civil Death Act",
such that a felon like Mr. Willis is presumed civilly dead and any inheritance
or other property go to his heirs. Mr. Willis has some cousins that have already
filed suits to be his legal heirs. However, Louie, you are most fortunate that
Mr. Willis legally adopted you before the death of you mother. So legally you
are his sole heir and everything will go to you. You need to get a lawyer and
finalize that.

"All things being equal with the Children Services Division investigation, I
suggest you petition the Probate Court to have Mr. Long appointed you new
trustee. As guardian and trustee, he will have to approve all transactions. He
is at liberty to invest any way he sees fit. But he'd have to get the court's
approval before any large transaction can take place. He will have to report
yearly to the court and account finally when you turn 21. That will be another
task for your lawyer.

"Your honor, can I change my name from Harvey to Long. I want to sever all
connections to my step-father.?"

"You may Louie, if this is agreeable with Mike. But again that is something that
has to be done formally in a separate court proceeding."
"This is the next best thing to adoption. I would like to have him be Lewis
Long. You Honor, is there any way that I can adopt Aaron or at lest become his
foster parent or legal guardian?" asked Mike.

"Mrs. Conway, this is yours to handle," said Judge Hannum.

"Mr. Long, in short the adoption would take a little longer. You will have to
apply, a formal investigation will have to be conducted and the Juvenile Judge
would have sign off on it. However, I don't see any problems." She opened her
brief case and handed Mike the application papers. "You can take these home and
return them in a week. If the Judge will sign some papers, I can put Aaron in
your care as a temporary foster child and later after an investigation he can
become permanent until his adoption is approved. The Judge can to handle the
legal guardianship."

"Bud, what have you to say about all of this? Does it met with your approval.?"
Asked the judge.

Bud was crying so hard that all he could do was shake his head yes. Mike and
Louie moved closer and took him in their arms and wiped away his tears.

"Mike, I would like to make you Bud's guardian until the adoption is complete. I
am going to release his inheritance, which is a rather large one as well under
the same conditions that I just spoke about concerning Louie's inheritance. You
will need to get the proper documents filed promptly, Do you agree?"

"Absolutely!" Exclaimed Mike.

The court reporter went to the other room and returned with the forms to
complete this transaction.

"Mike, you were over earlier with Louie when he turned all the evidence over to
the police. I must say that this was the big turning point in the case. Up until
that point, we were at a dead end and we were stymied. Louie, you took a big
chance, knowing that you could have been killed. The other man in the tapes was
accidentally killed. Mr. Stetser was the camera man and he did participated in
the killings.


"It was no accident that Bud just happened to be in the pizza joint. We knew
that Bud would need some place to go and we, that is Mrs. Conway and myself,
meet secretively and decided to offer you the position of temporary foster
parent. You made a mistake and called Stan, the Deschutes County deputy sheriff
and you told him where you were going to eat. It took some doing but one of Bud
friends got him there. All it took was the offer of a free pizza. Bud, you will
have to thank your friend Leon for being a super undercover agent. We wanted you
to meet Bud before the trial. Our plans evidently worked to the tee."

"I am glad that you two are on my side," laughed Mike.

"Boys you are free to go to your homes and get what you want to take. Mike can
get a moving company to come in and move it for you or you can get a u-haul
truck. You have to decide what you want done with the property and what is left
behind."

"I already know what I want done with my house. I want it to be given to the
city to be used a shelter for homeless children and run-aways." Said Louie.

"I want my house to be use the same way, only I want it to be given for the use
of abused children while they are waiting to be placed in foster homes." Bud
declared.

"I want to donate $75,000 to be used to get both houses up and running." Said
Mike. "I must say that I am please beyond belief, about how you have handled
this entire matter. Thank you! These two boys will have more love than they know
what to do with. I am just going to completely spoil them rotten." grinned Mike
as he grabbed both boys in a big bear hug.

"On behalf of the Community of Stayton and the State of Oregon. I want to thank
you from the bottom of my heart. You, two young men, probably saved untold young
boys from a very tragic and sorrowful life, plus you were instrumental in
getting two very dangerous and wicked criminals off the streets. They won't be
hurting anyone ever again.Thank you!" As Mike, Louie and Bud left the Judge's
Chambers, more than a few hard-boiled courthouse veterans were dabbing their
eyes with their handkerchiefs.

TBC

(Thanks again edinpa. You have been a big help especially in the legal field.
The story takes on a new meaning and a new direction , all because of your help.

Thanks. Joe Collins)joecollins7420@yahoo.com