A few months ago
The beginning Turnabout
Courtroom District
Defendant Room No.3
9:50 AM
Ren was in the defendant room, in the courthouse of the district. He was sweating a lot, visible nervous.
"Okay. I need to calm down." Ren thought. "Everything going to be all right. You can do it!"
-Hello Ren.
-H-Hello Chief. — Said Ren, who was scared by his boss sudden appearing.
-C'mon. You can call me Nick, remember?
Ren stated to the black spiked haired man.
-Sorry if I can't relax when you close now Phoenix Wright, the original Ace Attorney.
Phoenix laughed.
-You're right. And it's your first case after all. You must be nervous.
-I'm nervous. A lot.
-Calm down. I know how you feel.
-Yeah. And I got the luck to have the same prosecutor and client to defend.
-True. As you may know; When something smells…
-It's usually the Butz. I know that.
Phoenix laughed again.
-Now, how could put it in words… Your friend, Chief Nick, is actually… an intriguing person.
-That's a way to say that. — Phoenix said with a shameful smile on his face. —Speaking of him…
A man which some lame clothes, a topper and a goatee appeared in the room. He has crying, really depressed about his condition.
-Not again. I'm innocent. Nick, why you don't defend me?
-Sorry Larry, but don't worry, my apprentice going to defend you. And I am in another case after all.
Larry looked Ren up to down.
-Hey Nick.
-Yes?
-This kid going to defend me!?
-I may be a kid, but it seems I more mature than you.
-What!? — Larry asked surprised.
-You're the type of guy who never grown up! With your age, you can be my father, but you're a kid like me.
Phoenix laughed.
-Nick!
-Sorry Butz, but he's right. He's really right! You're the type who never grown up!
-Nick! — Larry cried again. Ren feels unconfutable with the situation.
"Great! That's my first client and I feel I going to give up." Ren think after seeing Larry action.
-Relax Ren. He's a good person, he just has a terrible luck.
-Yeah. It's the second time he knows his girlfriend has dead. — Ren said seriously. — Sorry about that. — He looked Larry.
-It's okay. — Answered Larry. — I know you're not a bad kid.
-Thanks, and I'm seventeen. — Ren answered. — Now, you we're found on the crime scene. Anyway, do you may break the door?
-No! The door has already broken. When I get in, I saw her dead. I trying to call the police, but they arrived and arrested me! — Larry said nervous.
-Okay, calm down. I'm supposed to be nervous.
-Right. You're the one who gonna defend me. — Answered Larry. — It's was kinda surprising. You very young, like the von Karma.
-Franziska… Brrrr — Phoenix said, remembering the cases he had confronted her.
-I heard she is a tough prosecutor. A great one, but not like her father.
-True. I was the one and only who defeat him.
-Yeah, I know. — Ren said — I read all your cases, remember?
-All? — Larry asked.
-Yes. — Ren looked to Phoenix. — Was the name of the prosecutor again Chief?
-Payne. Winston Payne. AKA Rookie Killer. It's the first time he going to the court overseas. At least, it's the first time I heard of that. — Phoenix said putting his hand on his neck, smiling nervously.
-Relax Chief Nick. I'm going be all right. — Answered Ren now relaxed. — I'm going to win this case. After all, I learned with the best lawyers I know.
-The bests? — Larry said confused.
-Yes. Nick… I mean Phoenix Wright and Miles!
-What!? Nick, he doesn't mean…
-It's a long history… A really long one. I tell you later.
-Ok.
Phoenix checked his wristwatch.
-It's time. You ready?
-Yes. It's showtime!
Courtroom District
Courtroom No.2
10:00 AM
The public are talking to themselves, about the trial to was going to start. The judge hit the gavel, making the courtroom become silent.
-Court is now in session, for the trial of Larry Butz. — Said the Judge.
-The Prosecutor is ready, your honor. — Said Payne.
-The Defense is ready, your honor. — Ren said.
The Judge stared Ren.
-Wait a minute, why a kid was on the defense stand?
-Your honor, this is Ren Amamiya. He is a new defense attorney at law. And my apprentice. — Phoenix explained.
-He? — Asked Winston Payne.
-Yes.
-If you don't mind, can you tell your age? — Payne asked.
-Yes. I'm seventeen years old. — Ren answered.
Winston smiled.
-Your honor. If I may, I need his discomfited from the court. He doesn't have the necessary age to be a lawyer.
-Objection! — Said Phoenix.
-Why you objected? You know the law Wright.
-Yes. Just a lawyer can stand on the stand. And Ren has qualified to be an attorney.
-He can prove it? — Asked the Judge.
-Yes, I can. — Ren showed his badge. — Here. It's my attorney badge.
Every single person in the public benches commented about Ren.
-May you…?
-Yes, your honor.
Ren lend the Badge to the Judge. He checked the back of it and he saw the number behind it.
-That's… an official attorney badge!
The jury talked about that.
-But the bar exam was eight months ago… That's means.
-Yes. I recently pass the exam.
The jury talked again surprised by this new information. The Judge hit the gavel.
-Order! Ahem! — The Judge gave it back the attorney badge. — Ok, with this proof, the defense can defend the defendant.
-But he seventeen.
-He may be young, but I have to remember the court, the prosecutor Gavin has seventeen when he became a prosecutor, and another example is Franziska von Karma, who started when she had thirteen years old. — Answered Phoenix. Ren was surprised with the new information he had of Franziska.
"Thirteen!?"
The jury was talking again of Ren age. Ren was sweating. He has really nervous about this whole situation.
-Are you ok, my son?
-Y-yes, your honor! — Ren answered.
-Are you really okay?
-Yes, just nervous.
-Can you defend your client.
-Yes.
-Ok, but first, I need you to answer a few questions.
-Right.
-Who the defendant?
-Larry Butz.
-Correct. Next. The victim name?
-Hiromi Inafune.
-Right. As you may know, the victim has dead with a single blow on her head. — Said Payne. — The murder weapon has a statue, who was used to make the blow. Sound familiar Wright?
-Right. Just like my first case. — Said Phoenix.
-And the defendant was the same as this time. Larry Butz.
-Right. — Said Ren. — But, wait. Why you are here defendant. I mean, your girlfriend it's a native from this city. You don't have reason to came here.
-Oh yeah! I came with her, for a visit trip. — Answered Larry.
"That's answered why he are here after all." Phoenix thought.
-OK. On the time of 1:50 PM the murder happened. Ten minutes later the cops arrested the suspect, who standing of the defendant room. He has trying to call someone to help him. As we can see, he calling you! — Payne points Phoenix.
-Objection! — Said Ren. — You don't have any proof to tell that.
Payne smiled.
-You're are a rookie. Don't you remember he was found in the apartment? And a witness was on the local.
-A witness… — Said Ren. "Just great. Someone saw him in the room."
-Yes. But before I call, can I ask something defendant?
-I'm innocent.
-Yeah! Yeah! Your all said that! — Answered Payne.
"For the sake of …this guy it's very arrogant." Ren thought.
"Always subtle like a horse." Phoenix thought.
-If you innocent, why you are in the apartment in the first place. With your historic, it's very easy to think you're dumped again.
-How many girlfriend's he had it? — Asked Ren surprised.
-Don't ask me. I'm lost the track on the third. — Phoenix
-Wow.
-The answer it's simple. I was living with her actually.
-What!? — Ren said surprised. — Why didn't you tell me? I'm your lawyer.
-I think was Nick gonna defend me!
Ren nodded his head in negative.
-Phoenix, I think that's is not a best start. — Ren commented.
Payne smiled.
-Maybe you want to give up kid. He have a reason, and he killed the victim.
Ren nodded in negative again.
-Better wait for another thing. I going until the end of this trial.
The Judge hit the gavel.
-Ok, now the prosecutor can call the witness.
The witness came into the room. He stands on the witness stand, very relaxed and looked the room.
-Name and occupation.
-Kotaro Musou. I'm a pro athlete.
-You are really close to the local, if I'm right? — Asked Payne.
-Yes. I saw the suspect on the local when I was training. I was on the ground, and I saw everything.
-Can you say that happed on that day.
-Yes, I can. — Kotaro take a break. A recorder has triggered, recording every single word of him. — The defendant come to the apartment that day. He had a package of something in hands. When he arrived, he tried to get into the apartment, but the victim didn't open the door. Furious he's breaks the door and entered the apartment. In a few moments he killed the victim. I called the cops in the same moment.
The recorder stopped the recording.
-Ok. Now you may start your cross-examination Mr. Amamiya.
-Ok. Cross-examination.
-You know, that's the most important part of the trial. That's the moment when you have to discover the truth behind the lies. — Said Phoenix.
-To simplifying a contradiction. I have to discover the contradictions on the testimony. Even if the person is not lying, he or she can misunderstand or confuse the facts. All I have to do it's to use the evidence who contradicts the witness testimony. Even the witness own words. — Ren said to Phoenix, who smiled to him.
-You very smart Ren. I don't have nothing more to say. It's your time.
-Alright Chief.
Ren looked to the witness. The recorder has triggered.
-Can you repeat your testimony?
-Ok. — Kotaro says. — The defendant come to the apartment that day. He had a package of something in hands.
-Hold it! — Ren scream. — You may can be more specific?
-What you mean?
-What he has holding in hands?
-Hm… I think has a market package, or something similar.
-Right. You can continue.
-Ok. — Kotaro makes a quick pause. — When he arrived, he tried to get into the apartment, but the victim didn't open the door.
-Hold it! Why he waited? He doesn't was with the victim?
-Well… I don't see her.
-That means she possible was death this time…
-Objection! — Payne shouted. — That's impossible. The door was broken in that moment. The victim was alive that time, so that impossible.
"Strange…" Ren thought.
-The prosecutor has a point. — The Judge stare the witness. — You may continue.
-Furious he's breaks the door and entered the apartment.
-Hold it! — He tried to enter before break it?
-Yes. He has tried to even use his keys to enter.
-Hm…
-You think this part it's important?
-I like the witness to amend this to his testimony. — Ren said.
-Very well. Witness add this part to your testimony.
-Yes. — Kotaro makes another pause. — He tried to use his keys to open the door.
-Objection! — Ren shouted "At least, a contradiction." — Are you sure about that?
-Yes. Why?
-I think you're wrong about that!
-Objection! — Shouted Payne. — That's not relevant mister Amamiya. You just may know that. But you're an amateur. You can't really know that.
"That's a lot of arrogance for a single person." Ren commented mentally.
-I'm sorry, but you're the real amateur here.
-What?
-Yes. I have here the defendant keychain. As you may know, this was found at the crime scene.
-Yes. And so?
-And I asked for a test. One of the keys opens the door. I tested myself. That's means the defendant doesn't need to break the door to enter into the apartment. He has in his key chain a copy key!
-NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO! — Payne shout surprised.
-Yes. If Larry wanted to get in, he simply gets his key chain and unlock the door.
The public talked themselves, asking for a response for the witness. The Judge hit the gavel.
-Order! Witness. What the meaning of this?
-Er…
"The first contradiction. But not the last."
Payne smiled, shaking his hand front of his bald head.
-You maybe have answered the way the defendant came in, but the door was break, more specific, the lock. He had to get in any way.
-Objection! — Ren shouted — If the door was with the lock broken already on the time of crime, why he tried to open the door with the key in the first place? Can you or the witness answer this.
-Well… — Payne said nervous.
-Witness? — Asked the Judge.
-Yes, I can answer this.
-Ok. You can testify about that.
The recorder was triggered again.
-I saw he tried to open with the keys, but he failed. In the next moment he breaks the door. He attacked the victim when he entered into the apartment. I called the police in the same time. The time has before midday. — The recorder stops.
-So, you saw the defendant trying to open the door? — Asked Ren.
-Yes, and he don't get it. So, he breaks the door.
-Now your cross-examination Mr. Amamiya.
The recorder has triggered again, recording the cross-examination.
-Was I said. He tried to open with the keys.
-Hold it! He tried to open the door, right? There something strange when he tried? — Asked Ren.
-Hey! Why you trying to get with that? — Asked Larry angry with the situation.
-Calm down. — Ren said. — Can you answer that?
-Yes. I don't see anything strange.
-Really? I don't feel the same.
-But I didn't saw it. All I saw was he tried to open the door and broke it when he couldn't open it.
-Ok. You can continue.
-Right. —Said Kotaro. — He attacked the victim when he entered into the apartment. I called the police in the same time.
-Hold it! Can you say the time when that happens?
-Yes. Before midday.
-Can you be more specific?
-The time has 11:30 AM.
-Objection! — Said Ren. — As the prosecutor know. This testimony contradicts the evidence.
Payne sweating after hear that.
-You don't mean…
-Yes. The autopsy report said the time of death was 1:50 PM.
-Objection! — Said Payne. — Maybe the victim bleed to the death.
-Objection! — Ren shout. — That's impossible, because the blow was fatal. A single blow. If the defendant has killed the victim, how the blow has made before midday? The autopsy report estimated the time of death after midday. In case the victim has bleed to the death, with the trauma she had it, her death by hemorrhage has to been happened in a matter of minutes, not in a matter of hours.
The public talked about that. The Judge hit the gavel.
-Order! Order! Witness, may you can explain this?
Kotaro was sweating nervously.
-Obviously I can. The answer it's simple. My wristwatch has delayed. The time when the crime occurred, when I saw the watch was 11:30 AM.
Ren was sweating.
"Great! When I was to break his testimony, he pulled of the carpet and knock me down. Now I have to… Wait."
-Hey, can I ask you something?
-Yes.
- How you were able to know he was trying to open the door. If I'm correct, you said your said you're are on the ground.
-But I was it. I said it earlier.
-Because for you testify with that details, you have to be on the third floor, not on the ground floor.
Kotaro, was surprised and he was start becoming nervous by the affirmation of the defense.
-What you wanna mean? I was on the ground!
-Are you sure? Because I have the proof.
-And was it? I sure you don't have it.
-Do you have it? — Asked Phoenix.
-Yes. I think…
"I have to bet high. That's no turning back."
-Yes. And you gave it to me, in testimony. The keychain.
-What...?
- Yes, the key chain. In you two testimonies, you said the defendant tried to open the door. That means he used his key copy he receive it from the victim, his girlfriend, to enter in the apartment.
-So, the defense claims the defendant was in the local? — Asked the Judge.
-Yes, but he doesn't kill the victim.
Payne smiled, shaking his hand again.
-Of course, it's you client after all. Did I need to remind you the murder weapon had the fingerprints of the defendant?
-Yes, but if may I correct, the results will be ready soon. And depending of the results the whole case going to turnabout.
Payne laughed.
-So, you have a secret weapon? Who kind of evidence it is?
-The kind of evidence you seem don't care enough to investigate.
-What?
-Apparently an evidence has found on the local. I, by myself checked and I asked an analysis of the object.
-What!? — Payne shout surprised. He doesn't expect for that. Kotaro was sweating nervous.
-But the evidence has very damaged. Maybe the police couldn't analyze it. — Ren explained. — However, if I was you, I don't count with this.
The Judge hit the gavel.
-What the defense wants to say with that?
-The defense says… The witness was lying about his localization on the crime.
-You don't believe him judge? Do you? He's lying!
-But the defense has a point. Where you are in the time of the crime?
Kotaro was nervous, but he quickly calmed himself and answered the question.
-Yes, I was in the third floor. I witness the moment he entered the room.
-Can you testify about that?
-Of course. — Kotaro breath heavily. The recorder has triggered. — The door was opened and he entered in the room. He attacked her with fury. She tried to escape, but he gives on her head a dead blow with the statue. I saw almost everything. He used the statue in that moment. I watch everything behind a wall. — The records stop. Ren heard all of it thinking in a way to breaks the testimony of the witness.
-The defense can cross-examination now.
-Yes, your honor. — Ren looked the witness. — Ok. Can you repeat your testimony?
-Yes. The door was opened and he entered in the room. He attacked her with fury.
-Hold it! You have watching all of this?
-Yes. I was too shocked to react.
-So, you see everything?
-Not everything. I was hidden, in a blind spot. I'm was climbing stairs on the time of the crime and I hid myself.
-The witness can continue. — The Judge said.
-Ok. — Kotaro makes another pause. — She tried to escape, but he gives on her head a dead blow with something.
-Hold it! Can you be more specific?
-Maybe. Was happened too fast. I can't remember very well. It's sort like a small bat.
-Ok. You can continue.
-I saw almost everything. He used the statue in that moment. I watched everything, hidden behind a wall.
-Hold it! Can you be more specific about where you were in that moment?
-I was hidden, behind a wall, next to the stairs.
-The defense thinks this part it's important?
-Yes. I want the witness to amend it.
-Witness, can you do this?
-Yes. — Kotaro makes another pause. — I was hidden next to the stairs, watching everything.
Ren looked again the court record, searching the evidence he looking for. After the find it he shouted.
-Objection! The witness is lying, and I can prove it.
-Oh, I want to see it. — Said Payne.
-Simple. Look to the floor plan. — Ren showed the floor plans to the court in a tv. He pointed the witness position. — That's the place, the only possible spot for the witness can hide himself.
-And?
-That's obviously a blind spot.
-That's not wrong with it. — Payne said. — He can saw everything in this point.
-The prosecutor has a point! Mr. Amamiya, what the meaning of this?
"Fast as always to jump conclusions…" Ren and Phoenix thought.
-Your honor.
-Yes?
-May you can look closer to the blind spot. — The Judge looked to the point. — As you can see it, neither the victim has a clear vision of that. He's radius of vision has been blocked by the position he is were. Obviously, he can see someone get in and out of the apartment, but almost everything he said he was able to see is impossible in that position!
-The defense got a point. — The Judge said surprised. Ren was astounded by the judge reaction. The public is now commenting the new information. — Witness. Explain yourself!
Kotaro was nervous.
-Objection! — Shouted Payne. — Maybe he's in another point.
-Not this time, Payne. — Said Ren — In the witness testimony, he said he has hidden behind the wall next to the stairs, and now as established, he could not know about the statue and what happened in the apartment in that point. It's impossible.
-NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO! — Payne shout astonished. — But that means…
-Yes. The witness was before in the victim apartment!
-NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO! — Shout the witness.
The jury has talking about the new information he heard. The Judge hit the gavel.
-Order! Order! Order! What the meaning of all of this? — Asked the Judge. — Prosecutor Payne, can you answer me?
Payne was nervous for the whole situation.
-Err… The defense points are baseless.
-You mean…?
-I mean, if the witness has there before, he still saw the defendant. And you can explain the witness motive to be there?
-That's a good point. Mr. Amamiya, can you explain that?
"Great. Now it's time."
-No. Not now. — Answered Ren.
-So, this was simply a whole waste of time. — Said Payne.
-The prosecutor has a point! — The Judge said. — The witness have no relation with the victim.
"Jumping conclusions like always…" Ren thought disappointed. — Your honor. I'm not finished yet.
-Really?
"He's not serious about that!?"
-He is. — Phoenix answered.
-Let me guess… My face said what I thinking.
-Yeah… — Phoenix said with a shameful smile.
Ren hit the stand with one of the hands.
-Your honor. Has one person we don't heard. A person who has in the crime scene in the same day.
-You mean… — Asked the Judge.
-Yes. The defense requests to hear the defendant, Larry Butz!
Everyone was in silence. Ren feels the oppression of the silence in the local.
-Anyone want to say something? — Ren and Phoenix said, one was calm, but strained and other was nervous.
-Ahem! The prosecutor has any objections? — Asked the Judge.
-The prosecutor had no objections. — Payne said with a smile. — You sure of that, kid?
-I'm sure.
The Judge hit the gavel.
-Now the defendant going to testify. Defendant, please come to the witness stand.
Larry sit up and was going to the stand when someone shout.
-Hold it!
The shout came from the witness.
-And about my testimony?
-Your testimony and your cross-examination have finished. Now you can go back to the waiting room.
-But they going to interrogate the defendant. And he's going to lie?
-Like you, he's going to suffer with the consequences of his act's if he lying. You like anyone here, should to know that. — Said Phoenix. — Now if you can excuse us, we, I mean, my apprentice had to cross-exanimate the defendant. You can go now.
-Judge. He can talk to me like that!? — Kotaro said furious.
-The defense had a point. — The Judge stared Larry. — Defendant, come to the witness stand.
Kotaro get out of the witness stand and Larry was now standing on the witness stand.
-Defendant, name and occupation. — Ordered Payne.
-Larry Butz, also known as Laurice Deauxnim. I'm an artist and picture book author.
-He has dumped recently. — Said Payne.
-Actually no. I'm with her in a visit trip. She was nervous to come here for some reason.
-The victim has a native from this city, in this country. She come to visit her parents.
-And I come with her to purpose her hand in marriage here.
Phoenix gasped surprised.
-Hey Chief Nick, are you alright? — Asked Ren worried.
-I'm not sure… I swear I heard Larry said he going to ask his girlfriend in marriage. — Phoenix answered.
-But I said that. — Larry said.
-WHAT!? — Phoenix shout even more surprised. "I think she going to dump him if he able to ask." Think Phoenix, sweating nervous and in shock with this new information.
-You sure about that? — Ren commented understanding Phoenix thoughts.
-My face shows my doubts? — Phoenix asked.
-Nope. — Ren confirmed.
-Hey, what you wanna mean by that Nick?
-Please calm down Larry… — Phoenix said with a nervous smile. — You going to testify, remember?
Larry sighed heavily.
-You lucky, Nick…
-Ok, now if you can stop this, I want to ask a few questions to the defendant.
Phoenix and Ren put the hand on the neck.
-Sorry your honor.
-Now defendant… — Said the Judge. — … What you doing in the day of the crime?
-I was in the market near from the apartment, buying food for lunch.
-Pretty late for the lunch. — Said Payne.
-It's because we had noting in the fridge. So, I came to the market.
-What time was it?
-Midday.
-And you come back which time?
-2:00 PM.
-So, you came back to the apartment after the crime. Can you testify about that?
-Sure. — The recorder started to record. — I arrived 2:00pm at the apartment. I tried to unlock the door, but the lock was strange, like broken. I open the door and I see the body. The statue has there, stand up on the blood. I tried to call the police, but they arrived and arrest me without reason. I just get in there. I didn't kill Hiromi. — The recorder stops.
-That all?
-Yes. I was arrested just for I there.
-That means you kill her, after arrive. — Said Payne. — That's a possibility.
-Mr. Amamiya, you can cross-exanimate the defendant.
-All right. Time to find the contradictions behind this. — Ren said.
-That the spirit. — Said Phoenix. — Now get it!
-Ok. — Ren turns to Larry. — Defendant. I mean Mr. Butz, you can repeat your testimony?
-OK. Like I said, I arrived 2:00pm at the apartment. I tried to unlock the door, but the lock was strange, like broken.
-Hold it! — Ren shout. "Ok, now I have to…" — Larry. Do you noticed anything strange before get in?
-Yeah. Now you mention it, the door was damaged. More than before.
-More? Can you explain that?
-Objection! — Payne shouted. — That's irrelevant. The door possibly was damaged before they are in the apartment.
-The prosecutor was a point. The damage of the door was irrelevant to this case.
"Thanks Judge. Now I have to analyze another thing." Ren thought sarcastic. — Ok Larry, you can continue your testimony.
-All right! I open the door and I see the body. The statue has there, stand up the blood.
-Hold it! So, the statue was stand up there?
-Yeah.
-And what the type of statue is? I never seem one like that.
-It's a custom made. I made it myself. The theme is the athlete.
-Oh. — Ren said surprised.
-Like the other case which the defendant was involved, he made the murder weapon! — Said Payne. The public was talking about that.
"This guy is annoying. But something has odd in this statue."
-Yeah, like the prosecutor said, the murder weapon it's the statue. But something is strange.
-What you mean? — Asked Payne.
-The statue. The blood traces were detected only on the bottom of the base of the statue.
-And what's the point? There's blood in the place. — Said Payne.
Ren fixed his glasses on his face, smiling.
-So, if only the statue has blood, that means this is the murder weapon?
-Obviously!
-I don't think so Prosecutor Payne. — Ren picked a document. — According the results of the forensic analysis, only the bottom of the base had blood traces. And there more. The base doesn't have any more traces of DNA from the victim. Even the wounds format doesn't match with the statue base. That means the statue it was not used for murder the victim! With that, I sure the statue isn't the murder weapon!
-What!? — Said Payne. — If that the case… The statue…
-Yes. It's a replacement to pin the defendant.
Payne was sweating. Ren looked to Larry.
"Now I have to wait the results… And trying to figure out what really happen, even I already have the idea of what happened."
The jury was talking again. The Judge hit the gavel.
-Order! Order! Order! Mr. Amamiya, what the meaning of this?
-Huh!? Me?
-Yes. You claim this statue isn't the murder weapon. So, what is the real murder weapon?
-Oh. I almost forgot… — Ren answered embarrassed.
Phoenix was sweating nervous.
-Really Ren?
-Sorry. I thinking about this detail in fact.
-Really? — Asked the Judge.
-Yes. Like I said. The evidence is being analyzed. The results…
-Your Honor? — The bailiff interrupted Ren.
-Yes Bailiff? What it is? I'm in a middle of a trial.
-The defense analysis results it's ready. And the evidence it's here. — The bailiff gave the trophy to the Judge, and a document to Ren.
-The results? — The Judge said.
- According to the results, traces of blood and DNA was detected in mostly part of the base and the wound format matches with the trophy base. The murder weapon it's the trophy, found in a trash can out of the apartment.
The public was talking about the new evidence. The Judge hit the gavel quickly.
-So that's…
-Yes. The real murder weapon! — Shouted Ren.
-NNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! — Shouted Payne.
The public was talking again.
-That's a new turn of events! — The Judge said surprised.
-Yeah, but the defense haven't finished the cross-examination of the defendant. — Ren said calm.
-That's true.
-What you want to know more? — Asked Payne. — There nothing more.
Ren nodded his head in a negative.
-I don't think so. — Ren answered — Larry. Can you testify about the moment you find the body?
-Sure. — Larry coughed. — Ahem. When I entered the apartment, I found Hiromi body. She has lying on the ground and her head has bleeding. A lot. Her position has strange. I don't know. Looks like she holding something. I tried to call the police, but they arrived in the same moment. They arrested me without asking anything. — Larry stop his testimony.
-Ok. You can cross-exanimate now Mr. Amamiya.
-Yes, Your Honor. — Ren looked to Larry. — Larry. Can you repeat?
-Ok. — Larry put his hand on his chin, trying to remember. — When I entered the apartment, I found Hiromi body. She has lying on the ground and her head has bleeding. A lot. Her position has strange.
-Hold it! Strange?
-Yeah. Strange like, looks unnatural the position. Look like she fell of the wall, like she was supporting her body on the wall.
"Hmm… Maybe she was cornered… That's explain the position of the body."
-Ok. Continue please.
-And like I said, I don't know. Looks like she holding something.
-Hold it! — Ren stared to Larry. — Larry. You said before the position of her body was strange. And now you said she was holding something.
-Yes. I really don't know. She looked hold something, but I not sure. I was in shock and in the same time I grabbed my phone to call the police.
-Ok. Can you be more specific? About she was holding.
-Well… looks a motorcycle… Or something.
-Well Mr. Amamiya, what do you think? — The Judge asked.
-I want to him to amend his part in his testimony.
-Defendant, add this part to your testimony. — The Judge ordered.
-Ok. — Larry put his hand on the chin again. — She holding a motorcycle. At least something similar.
-Objection! — Ren slam the stand with his palm. — May you can be more specific?
-Maybe. Looks a motorcycle, but with something more.
-Objection! — Shouted Payne. — It's impossible to the victim hold a motorcycle!
-Chief…
-No comments Ren. — Said Phoenix.
Ren slam the stand again.
-Yes, Except the motorcycle… — Ren show a keychain with a motorcycle icon. — …It's a keychain icon.
-What!?
-And more. This was found with the victim body. And had a name for identification, it's the witness name, Kotaro Musou.
-WHAT!? — Payne shout surprised. The public commented this new information. The Judge hit the gavel.
-What the meaning of this!?
-Before that Judge, can I ask something to the witness?
-Of course.
-Mr. Musou, why your keychain has in the victim apartment?
Musou was sweating, really nervous.
-I don't know what do you mean.
-Really? I have a suspicion. But like before, the defense doesn't end the cross-examination. — Ren said and turns his head to Larry. — Larry, can you testify your arrest?
-Objection! — Shouted Payne. — The prosecutor doesn't see a reason or sense to the defendant to testify about that.
-Honestly, Mr. Amamiya, give me a reason to continue the cross-examination. — The Judge said.
-Yes. I doubt it you couldn't. — Said Musou.
"He has thinking he safe…"
-Your honor. The defendant was arrested on the spot, but none of the police officers testified with precision the happening. And by the time the defendant arrived on the crime scene, had a break of ten minutes! He arrived a few seconds before get arrested. It's necessary to know what happened to him in that exactly moment. — Payne was sweating after hear that. — And the time of death doesn't match the time of arrival, like I proved earlier.
-The defense have a point. — The Judge hit the gavel. — Defendant, can you testify about your prison?
- 'Course. — Larry put his hand on the chin again. — The police arrived a few minutes later. They arrest me in the same moment. I tried to explain, but they don't listen to me. After that I has taken out of the apartment. I saw a plate outside the apartment, in a plant vase. After that I was sent to the prison.
-Wow. That's impressive.
-Yeah, you can say that.
-The defense can cross-exanimate the defendant.
Ren accessed again the court record. He's saw the plate again; he obtains on the same plant vase. He gets the plate and he saw a curious thing. After see, he shouts.
-Objection! — Ren slam again the stain, after point the objection. — Defendant.
-Yes? — Larry said almost crying.
-The last part of your testimony. The plant vase. You saw a plate, right?
-Yeah.
-You right about the plate. I have it right now. It's an evidence. — Ren showed the plate. — And the curious thing, Your Honor, it's not the name on this plate, but when the plate came from. — Ren looked to Phoenix. — We still have the trophy?
-Yes, but has with the Judge.
-Your Honor, may you can compare this plate with the trophy, please?
-Yes.
The Judge compared and saw a piece of the trophy missing.
-But, that's…
-Yeah. The plate of the trophy!
-And the name graved on the plate is… The witness name.
The public has unquiet. The Judge hit the gavel three times.
-Order! Order! Order! — The Judge stare the witness. — Witness, what the meaning of this!?
Kotaro was nervous, sweating a lot.
-I don't know what they talking about.
Larry suddenly recognize the trophy.
-Hey, that's from the Hiromi ex-boyfriend!
-What!? —Shouted Payne.
-Order! Defendant, can you explain that? — The Judge asked.
-The trophy actually has one of those things has belonged her ex-boyfriend. She almost never mentioned he to me. When she mentions it, she was furious and very scared. — Larry explained.
-So, that's belong… To the victim ex-boyfriend!
-And he is the witness.
-Hold it! — Said Kotaro for the surprise of everyone. — Do you have any proof to prove I was there?
Ren was silent.
"Ok… Now is time to the trump card… Literally!"
-It's seems I was right. You have nothing.
-Are you sure? — Ren asked.
-Er?
-I asked, are you sure? About your affirmation?
Kotaro become irritated by being questioned.
-What you mean?
-Look your wallet.
Kotaro looked his wallet. He searched all of it nervous.
-Looking for this? — Ren showed a card.
-How you…
-I found in the crime scene. It's submitted as evidence as well. This has really hard to find, but when I found it…
-Give me back!
-What is this card? — The Judge asked.
-It's a credit card. More specific a savings card, submitted in the name of the witness. Curiosity, the card has cut from the account for a long time. An account was in the name of the victim and the witness!
-What!? — Shout Payne. — What the meaning of this!?
-Simple. This witness was a reputation of financial abuse from his girlfriends. That's just rumors obviously. Expect, one person refuses that. The victim Hiromi Inafune. Afraid from him she moved to Los Angeles, when she met the defendant.
-How you can be sure about that? — Asked Kotaro.
-The defendant, Larry Butz, says about Hiromi, she was nervous to see her parents again, because she had some problems here. She never says about the nature of her problems, but I have evidence to prove that.
-I like to see it — Said Payne.
-Here. — Ren showed a document. — This is the banking stratum of the victim, found in her desk in her bedroom. Here is the number of the account mentioned.
-The number account is 5251-5.
Payne and Kotaro recognized the number.
-That's the victim saving account number. — Said the Judge.
-And the witness recognized the number as well, at least, it seems like. Sounds familiar? — Ren asked. Kotaro was furious. — As you said Judge, this is the victim account number. And she come back to Japan in a visit trip to meet her parents again, as we may know. She has in her old apartment with her boyfriend, the defendant. He needs to go to the market to buy food for both. Meanwhile, the witness arrived to the local. He tried to get in by the victim, so he breaks the door and kill her.
The public has talking about the possibility. Payne was smiling, also Kotaro as well.
-So, you claiming the witness it's the killer.
-Yes.
-And you prove the "connection" between the victim and the witness.
-Correct.
Payne shake his hand again.
-That's a good theory, but do you have the evidence who can be decisive for that?
Ren become nervous after this question.
-Yeah, so do you have it? — Kotaro asked.
Ren was almost sweating of nervousness.
"I have it?" Ren checked all the evidence he had.
-Ren, check carefully. You don't want to make mistakes. — Phoenix warned.
-I know. — Ren answered.
-Maybe you have to quit this case kid. There no place for you. — Said Payne. — And no place for amateurs as well.
"This guy pisses me off. Oh, that feeling to throw this statue on him…" Ren pick up the statue, and noticed something odd after he hit the base.
-Chief Nick.
-Yes?
-You noticed anything strange on the base of the statue?
They looked the bottom of the statue. Ren gave there a small knock and noticed something.
-The base its hollow.
-That means…
Ren searched the base, looking for a way to open the base. Ren found a gap and he managed to open the base. Inside has a paper folded up. Ren retrieved the paper and he open it. Surprised with the contend on the paper, he said:
-Your Honor. We have a new evidence, found inside the base of the statue. You can look it?
Ren gave the paper to the Judge. He read it and become surprised.
-That's a memo from the victim. — Said the Judge.
-Yes. Here says about the victim and the witness bank account. He shared the same account, for savings. This is a copy, who says the withdrawal of the witness of the account.
Kotaro was sweating.
-That means…
-Yes. This memo was the proof. The proof of the witness motive to kill the victim. And the reason it's simple in fact. You heard from her parents, when she come back, and the victim has a new boyfriend.
Kotaro feelings is a mix of anger and despair.
-Stop! — He claims. Ren nodded in negative and showed the new proof.
-This memo is the only way to recover his gain. In fact, you planned just to get the document, at least that's the original plan. With this, you can get access to her account and get her money. With this in hands he gets everything, and a plus, because she has another account linked to this one. With that he had all of it and leaves her without nothing. You planned to convince her to give the memo, but she refuse it. So, you had to get this memo no matter what. You tried to enter in the apartment and you get it, but you didn't count she was there. You only saw Larry going to the market in your way to the apartment. And you tried to get the memo, but you fought with her and the result was her death.
-Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! — Said Kotaro.
-And you don't have much time. You know he going to come back any moment, so you grabbed the murder weapon, forged a new one and call the cops. The only think you don't expect it's the trophy. It's very damaged by the impact and you have to leave in the same time, so you close the door and run away, thumping in the process on the plant vase, dropping the plate. And more. In your fight with the victim, you dropped you card and, in the rush, you completely forgot about it. You wait for Larry and call the cops when you saw it.
-Stop! He lying. I don't have anything with Inafune.
-But you have. In fact, you know a lot about the victim, even her family name.
-!
-The victim name has only mentioned in the court only one time. But there a possibility to you heard the victim name on the investigation of her murder. But with all this evidence I doubt that. In fact, you know a lot to be a stranger to the victim!
-NO! STOP!
-Confess the truth! You know the victim, and you killed her without mercy. In fact, you wanted to kill her in the first time!
Kotaro cannot restrain himself anymore. He shouts a scream of anger and fear.
-NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Kotaro collapsed on the floor. A few minutes passed.
-So, how the witness? — The Judge asked.
-He has arrested and confessed everything. He killed the victim in fact. — Payne answered.
-So, he's the killed after all, and tried to pin the defendant to save himself. How unfortunate. And he tried to get the money of the victim. How horrible… — The Judge looked the statue again. — In fact, the victim was very smart to hide the memo inside the statue, but what kind of statue is this?
-I can answer that. That's a new prototype of table watch I was developing. In fact, she like the statue and I gave it to her, without the digital watch. I was still working on the new version. — Larry explained.
-Wow… — Ren said really surprised. — Now Mr. Payne, what you said again? I am an amateur? This trial proved it you nothing just an arrogant selfish and an unprepared lawyer, who can't even win against a kid, as you can said. — Ren points to Payne. — Now who the real amateur here?
Payne was sweating. After he heard that, he realizes what Ren said with that and shout.
-NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT AGAIN!
Payne lost the rest of his hair in the process. Phoenix and the Judge was surprised after see that.
-Wow. — That's the only thing Phoenix said. The Judge coughed again.
-After all these events, I cannot prolong much longer this trial. Now I going to announce the verdict. — The Judge looked to all the courtroom. — The court finds the defendant, Larry Butz… Not Guilty!
The Judge hit the gavel. The public celebrated the verdict.
-Now the court is adjourned. — The Judge hit the gavel again.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Hello guys, how are everyone? Third chapter… and a long one, who surpassed seven thousand words. Impressive, huh? At least to me. That's a long one and the first case of Joker as a defense attorney. What everyone thinks? Comment if you like. I'm here to say thank you for the more of two hundred views in just two chapters. You guys are awesome. This debut, it's one of several cases when Ren going to fought. If I delay to post the chapters, I sorry. The college its very pushy and I have to study for my monography. But don't worry, I going to finish this story and I have planned almost all of the cases, at least the confident cases. The game It's very long and I have to watch gameplay to write the events in the most precision possible, with a few adaptations to merge the Persona universe series with the Phoenix Wright universe series. And there more. We going to see old characters from another's games of both series come back. I still planning when going to make their debut, but the role of everyone it's almost ready as well. After all this long text, I want to say again thank you and if you like it, please favorite, follow and comment if you like. The story now it's going to the fourth chapter and I planning to write a special for one thousand views. Thank you and for now farewell.