A/N: I edited this chapter now to make it similar to later chapters. I kept it the same mostly out of laziness. So, sorry about that, heh.

Trial - Day 1 - Part 2

March 22, 2030 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 3

Hold It!

This interjection came not from the prosecutor, but from the witness himself. His demeanor had changed completely, going from calm and relaxed to exasperated and enraged at the drop of a hat.

Poore glared at Phoenix, teeth bared. "Are you trying to imply that I killed him?" he snarled.

Got him.

Phoenix smirked, pointing at Poore. "Yes, I am. You were the only one who could have committed the crime."

Poore noticed Phoenix's small display of hubris and immediately backtracked. He took a few deep breaths, steeled himself, and resumed his former casual stance. A small smile flitted across his face.

That was pretty quick…

Poore betrayed only a tiny hint of impatience in his voice ashe continued, "Hey, Ms Lawyer, shouldn't you be objecting or something right about now? If you keep this up, then this guy is going to accuse me of murder."

Payne also collected herself quite quickly. "Of course, Mr Poore. Your Honor, I apologize for my delay."

And she's back. I'd better be careful. I heard if you mess with them enough, a Payne can be a pain in the—

Payne cleared her throat and Phoenix focused back on the courtroom. "Defense, I have but one question."

"And what's that?"

"Motive. As I showed you before, the defendant had a motive. What possible motive does this witness have to see that mailman dead?"

"Erm—"

Busted… I don't know. I'd better do what always works. Bluff 'til I can't bluff no more.

"Mr Wright, can you give us a motive?" asked the Judge, looking over at the defense attorney.

"Umm…"

Come on, think! The witness…motive…

Wait. Those financial records… Could it be?

Poore is broke, so he would have needed money. Could the motive really be as simple as burglary?

I mean, it would make sense; he's working at the Borscht Bowl club, and I know from personal experience they don't pay much there. It would also be easiest to frame your friend once the murder actually happened.

The Judge nodded gravely and said, "Very well, if the defense cannot prove that the witness had a motive, then I have no choice but to declare a verdict!"

OBJECTION!

Well… No going back now, is there?

Phoenix opened his eyes and kept a mute expression on his face.

"Ready to bluff again, Mr Wright?" sneered Payne, tapping her head.

As ready as I'll ever be…

"Your Honor, the defense would like to provide a motive for the murder."

"Very well, what is your motive for the witness?"

Take That!

"Take a look at these financial records, Your Honor. They're Mr Poore's. I found them in one of the letters which the victim dropped."

Poore became flustered, as though he knew what the Judge was going to say.

"…Oh… My Goodness! I have never seen a balance this low!"

Come see mine on burger nights…

"H-How is that financial statement any indication of the motive, Mr Wright?" asked Payne, wobbling on her feet very slightly.

"The motive for the murder is simple burglary."

The courtroom erupted into chaos and Poore began to sweat visibly on the witness stand, trying his hardest to maintain his cool. The Judge banged his gavel thrice and called for order.

Once the courtroom had sufficiently quieted down, he looked over at Phoenix and stated, "Mr Wright, that seems hard to believe. How does a burglary lead to murder?"

Payne was the first to respond, interrupting Phoenix, "The answer is simple, Your Honor. The defense has simply lost what little brains he had left."

…Was that really the best you could come up with?

OBJECTION!

"Ms Payne, I assure you I haven't lost a single brain cell. The motive behind the murder had to have been burglary."

"There isn't any proof—"

"Oh, there is. According to evidence submitted by the prosecution, the victim's wallet was missing at the time of the body's discovery and no money was found on his person."

"So? The defendant could have stolen that money after he killed him."

Phoenix grinned with pride. "You should remember that the last person who saw the victim was this witness. You even conceded to me on that point."

Checkma—

Hold It!

"Your Honor, may I speak?" said Poore.

The Judge looked curiously at the witness. "What is it you want to say?"

"May I testify about what happened after the crime?"

"After the crime?" he echoed as he ran his fingers through his beard thoughtfully. "Does the defense have any objections?"

"No, Your Honor. Let him testify about what happened after the crime."

"Understood. Witness, please begin your testimony."

Witness Testimony

-What Happened After—

1) After the crime, I saw Lot taking off the gloves that he wore to kill him.

2) He was also acting suspicious, like looking around everywhere. Luckily, he didn't notice me.

3) He moved the body to my side of the street using that van.

4) Then, he dropped his gun and left the scene back to his house.

Much shorter and has one glaring contradiction.

The Judge nodded. "Mr Wright, you may proceed with your cross-examination."

"Alright, Your Honor."

Cross-Examination

-What Happened After-

3) He moved the body to my side of the street using that van.

OBJECTION!

"You say he took off the gloves he used. Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. Maybe he just thought that since the crime was over, he could take them off?"

"'Maybe's aren't enough here. I don't see there being a reason why he would take off the gloves."

Payne smirked, once again crossing her arms over her chest. "And why is that, Mr Wright?"

"Well, if he was planning to move the body to the other side of the street, then wouldn't he have left fingerprints on the steering wheel?"

Payne sputtered, losing her air of confidence. Her knees started shaking once again. "Oh—erm—I—we never…"

Phoenix shook his head. "That's a major inconsistency. As the prosecution found, only the victim's fingerprints were found on the steering wheel. In addition, some were slightly smudged."

She glared at Phoenix. "And what does that mean? I'll tell you what. It doesn't prove anything," said Payne in desperation, leaning forward as she began to sweat.

"You fail to understand me, Prosecutor Payne." Phoenix put his hands on his hips and smirked at his competition.

"Wh—What?! What are you talking about?"

Phoenix pulled out of the court record a paper with information on the delivery van tapping it as he spoke.

"If the fingerprints found on the steering wheel were smudged, then it means that gloves were used in order to cover that up as well. The prosecution's investigation proved that no gloves were found inside my client's house."

Payne began to take shallow breaths.

Phoenix continued with his deductions. "Who else had the time or motive to kill the victim?"

"N-no! My case!" Payne shrieked hyperventilating.

She then abruptly fell down. The Judge banged his gavel, ordering the bailiffs to resuscitate the amateur rookie-killing prosecutor. She came back within moments, still angry at being beaten, but silent realizing who had won.

"Now that Ms Payne is alright," the Judge said, looking over at Phoenix, "tell us who you are wishing to indict, Mr Wright."

Phoenix slammed his hands onto his wooden bench before pointing at the witness. "I'll tell you who. It was the witness, Mr Livin Poore. Exactly what do you have to say for yourself, Mr Poore?"

Poore was unable to contain himself. His chest was heaving and he started frothing at the mouth. "W-Wright… Phoenix Wright… I hope and wish you a painful death, Lawyer! Take your evidence and contradictions with you, you—!"

The Judge banged his gavel. "Bailiffs, please restrain that man."

Instantly, three bailiffs appeared — out of thin air, too, Phoenix thought — and handcuffed Poore, who was still shouting curses at Phoenix as they led him away from the courtroom.

"Mr Wright," said the Judge kindly.

"Yes, Your Honor?"

He shook his head and gave a wry smile. "As usual, you manage to turn this court upside down."

Phoenix put his hand behind his head and gave a bashful smile. "Just doing what I always do, Your Honor."

The Judge smiled gently back down at Phoenix. "Quite."

The Judge cleared his throat and resumed a neutral face. "I think it is now time for me to deliver a verdict. Will the defendant please make their way to the witness stand."

"Thank you so much, Mr Wright."

Sinkan got up and made his way to the witness stand, sneezing once, but giving Phoenix a glowing smile along the way. Phoenix simply smiled back, satisfied at the end of another case.

"On the charge of murder, this court hereby finds the defendant, Mr Lotso Sinkan…"

"Not Guilty!"

The Judge, for a final time, banged his gavel. "This court is hereby adjourned."

Payne grumbled something about 'vengeance' and 'my father' on the way out, but Phoenix paid her no heed.

March 22, 2030 2:12 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2

"Thank you, Mr Wright. Thank you! Achoo! Thank you! Thank you!" exclaimed Sinkan, nearly sticking himself to Phoenix's side in his excitement as they walked out of the courtroom.

"Don't mention it, Mr Sinkan," said Phoenix, smiling warmly at his former client. "I'm just doing my job."

His smile became slightly more awkward at this point. "Now, if you don't mind, Mr Sinkan... I kinda need some space. Heh heh heh. Sorry if I sound rude..."

He's one of the affectionate types...

Sinkan frowned suddenly. "Still. I didn't expect — achoo! — Lee to do anything like that."

"To think that he would try to frame a crime like this on his supposed best friend," said Phoenix, frowning. "I may not have mentioned it, but one thing I absolutely despise is betrayal."

"I know. It feels so bad to be stabbed in the back by someone you — achoo! — thought was your friend."

"Anyways, how are you feeling? Any better after the trial?"

"Yeah! I feel loads better now. Maybe the stress of a murder trial really does do a number on you."

You're telling me...

"Mr Wright… You know how I'm still in college, right?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I've always wanted to go into — achoo! — law. I didn't know if I wanted to be a prosecutor or a defense — achoo! — attorney, though."

Phoenix nodded, urging him to continue.

"Well, thanks to you, I think I know — achoo! — now. I want to become a lawyer. I want to be a defense attorney."

You remind me so much of Athena back when I met her.

Phoenix smiled proudly, tilting his head. "If that's what you really want to do, Mr Sinkan, then I can't possibly have any objections. When you're done with the course, just know that I'll be there, waiting to teach you the ropes."

I've got another one, Chief. I hope you're proud of me.

Suddenly, a woman's voice came from the doorway. "Hope you haven't missed me, Nick."

Sinkan peered suspiciously at the new arrival, who didn't seem to pay him much attention. "Who's that, Mr Wright?"

Phoenix blushed as Maya walked over and gave him a peck on the lips. "Oh, that. This is my girlfriend, Maya Fey. Maya, this is Mr Sinkan."

Sinkan gaped at Phoenix and Maya. "You have a girlfriend? I researched all about you at Themis, but it never said that! It only said she was your former assistant."

"Well, we haven't been a couple that long and I didn't really expect her until tomorrow, so yeah," said Phoenix, rubbing at his chin thoughtfully.

"Rude!" exclaimed Maya, glaring at him as she puffed out her cheeks. She playfully punched Phoenix on the arm. He reciprocated with a feigned look of pain, which she simply laughed at.

"Anyways, Mr Wright, wish me luck — achoo! — because I'm going to study law and become a lawyer, just like you."

"And start bluffing away, just like this sweaty amnesiac here!" Maya shouted at the retreating Sinkan, gesturing towards Phoenix. Phoenix simply leaned forward and began sweating in response.

Sinkan turned around and gave the couple a final wave before departing.

"That's not all I do!" protested Phoenix adamantly after his client's footsteps had quietened down.

"You know I'm just kidding, right? Jeez, Nick, we've been dating for about three months now and you still haven't learned to take a joke. I guess it's just the old geezer genes in you."

Phoenix simply shook his head and moved on, asking, "What're you doing here, Maya? I didn't think you'd be free until tomorrow."

Maya nodded her head happily. "What else do you think I'm doing? I came down to see my boyfriend. You always come down to Kurain for the weekends, so I'm just returning the favor this time. I'm staying at your place, of course."

Phoenix sighed and shook his head. "Maya, you stayed at my place even when you were just my assistant. The only real difference between now and then is the title of our relationship, that's all."

Maya smiled knowingly, leaning forward slightly. "Mostly true. But there's one thing you got wrong there."

"And what's that?"

Maya put her hand to her cheek in thought. "You're way more of an old man now, Nick. I don't think you were ever young sometimes that I think about it."

"Of course I was young, Maya. Everyone was young once, except for Edgeworth, but that's a whole different story."

"Hey! Don't go insulting Mr Edgeworth like that."

"He's my best friend. I can insult him any time I want. He probably does it to me behind my back all the time."

Maya sighed. "I guess you're right."

Phoenix looked around to try and spot Pearl, Maya's younger cousin — and practically a daughter to him. "Where's Pearls? I thought she'd be here with you."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Where she always is whenever we come down to the city nowadays."

"Again?"

"Yep, you don't have to ask that every time, y'know..." said Maya, shaking her head lightly. "It's not like it's illegal..."

Phoenix sighed and shook his head. Maybe he really was becoming the old and worried fuddy-duddy that Maya was always making him out to be. "You're right. We should go meet her afterward."

Maya looked confused, tilting her head to the right. "After what?"

Phoenix smirked, rubbing under his nose. "Now that the trial is over, what do you say we go get some burgers, Maya?"

Maya smiled coyly, asking, "Are you asking me out on a date, Nick?"

"Yep, if that's what you want, of course," said Phoenix, smiling.

"Of course that's what I want! Burgers sound great on a Friday afternoon," exclaimed Maya, leaning forward and with her hands at her sides.

Of course, only Maya would get this excited over burgers...

Phoenix began to slowly walk to the door when Maya ran and caught up to him, taking him by surprise.

"I'm running over there and I'm forcing your arthritis-infected legs over there with me!"

Maya suddenly grabbed Phoenix's hand and, intertwining her fingers with his, pulled him away from the courthouse, both laughing heartily at some joke the other told, to their favorite burger joint.

I don't know what I did to deserve a girl like this. I have to say a thank you to Athena sometime. Maybe when she comes to visit from England.

She was the reason Phoenix and Maya got together in the first place. Athena had left to Europe almost three months ago. She promised that she would return, but she didn't know when that would be...

End of Case 1

Court Record:

Evidence:

Attorney's Badge: Proof of my profession. No one would believe I was an attorney without it.

Gun: The gun that claimed the victim's life. Belonged to the defendant. Has the defendant's fingerprints on it. Some of the prints are smudges, as though someone used gloves.

Letters: Letters dropped by the victim prior to his death. They seem to be addressed to Livin Poore.

Financial Statement: Looking into one of the letters I found during my investigation, I came across a financial statement belonging to one Livin Poore. He's practically bankrupt. Sad thing is, I can relate...

Autopsy Report: Time of Death: 3/21, 9AM-10AM; Cause of Death: Three shots to the chest.

Veterinarian's Report: Evidence presented by the prosecution which shows that the defendant had a motive to see the victim dead. It seems that the dog had multiple bone fractures; quite brutal.

Delivery Van: The van the victim used in order to deliver his mail. Only his fingerprints were found on the van, with some of it being smudged.

Profiles:

Phoenix Wright (age 37): That's me! I'm a defense attorney who fights for the people who can't defend themselves.

Falen Payne (age 24): Daughter of Winston Payne, my longstanding... 'rival'. She has quite a grudge against me for defeating her father numerous times.

Lotso Sinkan (age 21): My client currently accused of the murder of a mailman. He seems to be very emotional over things.

Livin Poore (age 25): A "friend" of my client who is currently bankrupt. He is currently testifying against Mr Sinkan.