“Three Men in the Desert… Two Alive and One Found Dead”

By:Justine Alexander 

An ole’ prospector was found in the heart of the Mojave Desert with three bullet holes. Two men were found still alive named Ben and Madec. Ben is a young local college student who studies geology. Madec, an older man, is a flourishing business man who was hunting for bighorn sheep. At least that what he wants you think...

Evidence shows that the old man was shot a few days early. DNA samples show that Madec’s finger prints were all over the gun. Two stories were told, but only one story was truth.

During the trial, countless questions were asked that made you think long and hard about whom was telling the truth. Madec pleaded innocent and was first to be questioned:

“What happened in the desert?”

“As Ben and I were walking I asked why he took a job as a hunting guide and he seemed a little off answering the question and I saw a gun in his hand and he just fired,” said Madec.

“How many shots were fired?”  

“Well…I heard three shots fired from Ben,” said Madec.

“Who shot you?”

“Ben shot me and it wasn’t in defense,” Madec said in an angered voice.

“Why do you say that Ben didn’t shoot in defense?”

“He just seemed so calm about the whole situation. That’s how I knew,” Madec responded.

 Next Ben was called to the stand and he seemed unprepared for what was to come. Ben pleaded innocent and he was questioned next:

“What happened in the desert?”

“As Madec and I were walking in the desert, he saw something move. Then he took his .358 Magnum and shot like crazy three times. We ran over to see what it was and it was an old man. I asked him does he just shoot everything he sees and he said nothing,” Ben related.

“I’ve over heard that he struck a deal with you, what was that deal he made?”

“Madec said if I don’t tell that he shot the old man he would help pay for my college fund. I said ok, but little did he know that when we arrived back to town I was going straight to the police,” said Ben.

“When you came back to town you were stripped to your underwear, why?”

“Well, Madec didn’t believe that I that I was telling the truth so he made me strip to my underwear. Then he just left me stranded with no food, water…nothing, but I did have a slingshot,” said Ben.

After the questioning was over, the jury deliberated then came back with a verdict. As someone started to stand up to give their answer, Les, a friend of Ben’s, remembered that Ben couldn’t have a gun because he saw his gun in the jeep where Madec’s camp was set. Knowing that information the jury gave the final information and sentenced Madec twenty-five years to life. Ben reported that Madec’s crazed escapade was an accident.