Ghost Boat

Five lawyers represent the men — three for Zarabozo and two for Archer — and everyone huddles around two tables facing the judge. Federal lockup has not been kind to Archer: His spine is rounded, almost in the shape of the letter C, and his eyes have shrunk into narrow slits. His once-blond hair has turned a dull brown. He wears a perpetual smirk and a goatee that appears ridiculous in the serious courtroom.

Zarabozo, on the other hand, looks fresh. He's tall and strapping, with latte-color skin and a neatly trimmed buzz cut. He smiles at his lawyers and turns to grin at his mother and sister, who are sitting on benches a few rows back from the defense table. He looks like a Labrador puppy, eager and naive. And naive he may be: During this court hearing, the lawyers and the judge discuss whether to admit as evidence his description of the crime to the jailhouse snitch.

Both Zarabozo and the snitch (whom thesmokinggun.com identified as a "Miami thug" named Antwan Hall) are represented by the federal public defender's office. Prosecutors claim this is a conflict of interest. More snags are anticipated. The state must try a murder case with no bodies — just DNA from the blood on the boat and circumstantial evidence.

The trial is months away, so relations between the government and the defense are still cordial. "You're all great lawyers," Judge Huck gushes. "That's the great thing about this case."

When the hearing ends, Archer walks from the courtroom first, led by federal agents. He passes within a few feet of Zarabozo's family but doesn't make eye contact.

Guillermo Zarabozo grins and gives his mom a thumbs-up.

A week later, on the 23rd floor of the county courthouse, a less-watched drama is playing out. Judge Sandy Karlan ponders where Taylor and Morgan Branam will live. There are more lawyers and even more complexities involved in this action than the federal murder case. Leanne as well as Kelley's sister Genny filed for custody. So did Jeannette Branam — the children's great-grandmother — and her son Jeff. Great-grandfather Harry Branam Sr. is also seeking custody.

The discussion goes in circles: Social workers should study Genny's one-bedroom apartment in Michigan before she is considered, says the judge.

But Genny is moving into a four-bedroom home in a month, her lawyer responds.

What about Genny's fiancé, asks the judge. Who will evaluate him?

Then there are more questions from the judge, and from the six other lawyers: Has Leanne filed the proper motions? Will there be a background check of Harry Branam Sr.'s girlfriend, Maria? Is Jeannette too old to care for the kids? Should they spend more time on Star Island?

Morgan isn't old enough to know what's going on, but Taylor is full of questions, reports the guardian ad litem.

"She just turned three," says Judge Karlan, looking at the file. "I don't know what she understands about 'never again.'"

There are other issues. Harry and Jeannette don't look at each other in the courtroom. Each has filed motions containing nasty allegations of past substance abuse and bad behavior during their divorce. "I don't intend to retry the divorce between Harry and Jeannette. Is everybody clear on that?" Judge Karlan says, sharply.

Everyone nods.

Currently Taylor and Morgan are shuttled every four days between Star Island and Harry's condo. Leanne and Genny fly in from out of state to visit each month.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Karlan orders psychological evaluations of everyone in the family. And Taylor, she says, must see a therapist regularly. The girl keeps telling everyone she needs to return to Star Island permanently. Her explanation: "It's because Mommy and Daddy are coming home."

Leanne is also focused on finding her daughter. She has contacted Texas EquuSearch, the search-and-recovery outfit that looked for missing Alabama teen Natalee Holloway near Aruba for no charge in 2006 and 2007. But EquuSearch needs a boat for its equipment, and so far no one has donated a vessel large enough, which drives Leanne crazy.

"Isn't my daughter as important as Natalee Holloway?" she asks.