π The Legal Fiction of Hugh “Tim” Halford
Part I: The Incident
The M.Div. student had just stepped out of his car after another driver ran a red light in Pasadena, clipping his bumper.
Beside him, Lola, his golden retriever, wagged her tail exuberantly—entirely unaware of traffic laws, legal strategy, or courtroom theatrics. Have you ever met a mean golden retriever? Or a mean golden retriever owner? Not here.
Two police officers approached, hands hovering near their belts. Later, they would claim the student swung at them—though in reality, he had not even considered it.
The incident was quickly misreported, and from that distortion emerged the foundation for Tim Halford’s legal fiction and dramatic maneuvers.
Part II: The Local Legend
The M.Div. student—known simply as the Good Citizen—became something of a local legend at Fuller Seminary for “almost fighting the police,” a claim always retold with the detail that Lola wagged happily nearby.
Halford sought to prove the student had an anger problem. He embellished minor frustrations, weaving unrelated behaviors into supposed evidence of volatility.
Yet Lola’s presence—joyful, calm, and steadfast—softened impressions of her owner. The contrast made Halford’s claims appear exaggerated, even theatrical.
While Halford drafted memos and dramatized motions, the Good Citizen quietly gathered evidence of truth: timelines, procedural irregularities, and witness recollections.
Part III: The Novella
Weeks later, subpoenas arrived. The Good Citizen appeared in court armed with documentation—chronological records, witness statements, and carefully preserved facts.
Tim Halford presented his crafted narrative with theatrical flair, attempting to portray the student as volatile or dangerous.
The M.Div. student responded calmly, allowing facts to speak for themselves. His restraint and moral integrity contrasted sharply with the performance against him.
Lola sat loyally at his feet—a living symbol of innocence and patience—quietly highlighting the absurdity of Halford’s allegations.
Eventually, the schemes unraveled. Fact triumphed over fiction, and the courtroom recognized the truth of the incident.
The story of the Good Citizen and his golden retriever became a whispered legend—echoing through Fuller Seminary halls and City Hall corridors alike.
