Robert Goddard
Brandon, MS
Author of Upper House Conspiracy, 2nd novel in progress, one poem published, and one play finished.
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Website
Biography

I am a retired CFO. Was active in college theatre and was Ernest in Impromptu, Jeeter Lester in Tobacco Road, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Juan in Yerma, by Garcia Lorca, among others. Founded The Black Rose Theatre Company, a local community theatre, in 1991. It is still active today and doing well. I began writing novels a few years ago, finished one and have another almost finished. I have written several poems, one of which has been published twice, and have finished one play and am working on another. I enjoy writing plays more than novels. I love writing poems, too, and have done some public readings. 

Plays

A Matter of Circumstance
by Robert K. Goddard

A murder trial in which the defendant represents himself. The evidence is all circumstantial but seems overwhelming. Max Barnes, the defendant, tries to create enough doubt that at least one juror will not vote him guilty.

Cast:
CHARACTERS BAILIFF: A uniformed officer of the court. (40s/50s) DEPUTY: A uniformed deputy sheriff. (Late 20s to 40s) COURT CLERK: An officer of the court. (30s/50s) COURT RECORDER: (30s/40s) JURY: Twelve people from the audience. B.J. ROLLINS: The judge. (50s/60s) MAX BARNES: The defendant, a high-school graduate plus trade school for construction. (30s) BRADLY SCOTT: The prosecutor. (40s/50s) WITNESSES, IN ORDER: BETTY JEAN SIMMONS Mary Lou’s older sister. (40s) DR. NORTON: Flint County Medical Examiner. (50s/60s) ELIZABETH JONES: Mary Lou’s next-door neighbor. (60s/70s) LUCIEN BERGERON: The former employer of the late Mary Lou Barnes. (50s) MATT TAYLOR: A Flint County Deputy Sheriff. (30s) ETHAN JOHNSON: A detective sergeant with the Flint County Sheriff’s Department. (40s) EUGENE WILSON: An employee of The Flint County Waste Management Authority. (early 20s) SALLY HOLLAND: A lieutenant and lead crime scene investigator for the Flint County Sheriff’s Department. (40s/50s) JOSEPH BLAIR: A former employee of Max Barnes. College student. (20-22) MATEO CHUA: A former employee of Max. (Mid 20s) PAUL FONTENOT: A heavy-set, tough looking guy. (40s) IN THE AUDIENCE MONA WIGGINS: Deputy Wiggins’ widow. (30s) SETTING AND TIME SETTING: Riverdale, Mississippi, near Jackson, in the main courtroom of the Flint County Circuit Court. TIME: The present, the first Tuesday morning in September.