Deb fell asleep for awhile. When she woke up Grayson had left. Stacy was there.
"Hey sweetie," Stacy said, "How does it feel to be yourself again?"
Deb ran a hand through her hair.
"I'm being tried for murder," she said, "I have a broken ankle and my life is basically suckage in a sewer. Other then that it's great."
"Now Deb you know Grayson is going to get you off those charges," Stacy said, "Like when you overspent on our college trip and Grayson paid off your bills."
"Stacy," Deb said, "I'm scared for Grayson. If I die... if he can't save me what is that going to-"
"DON'T," Stacy said, "JUST DON'T EVEN SAY THAT. YOU AREN'T GOING TO DIE. YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO DIE! I DON'T CARE IF I HAVE TO GO TO THE MOON AND BACK I AM NOT GOING TO LET MY BEST FRIEND DIE."
Deb hugged Stacy.
"Can I get you anything," Stacy asked.
"Some water with lemon," Deb said, "Wait make that lime."
"Coming right up," Stacy said.
Deb smiled. She felt so lucky.
((May 31st start of the trial))
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," the D.A. began, "This is not a case of emotion. It is not a case of whether the defendant is likable or not. It is not a case of being sympathetic. This case is based on one thing. It is based on the facts."
Grayson took notes as the D.A. spoke.
"Here are the facts. Fact #1 is that a woman is dead. Fact #2 is that she was murdered. Fact #3 is that there is plenty of evidence to suggest Ms. Dobkins is responsible for murder. It is sad but it's what the facts lead us to.
"The defendant was not particularly fond of the party with whom lost her life. That is a fact. Ms. Dobkins had motive, means and opportunity. It is sad that Ms. Dobkins murdered this lady however the D.A. will show you that it was likely the defendant that murdered this woman in cold blood. It will be up to you, the jury to decide whether the defendant is innocent or guilty. If there is no reasonable doubt in your mind of her guilt you must vote guilty. If there is a reasonable doubt you must vote not guilty."
It was Grayson's turn to go.
"Okay let me just say it. The defendant is my client and she is also my fiancée. I love her beyond everything but I am not looking at this case blindly. Deb has literally never even killed a fly. I have seen her take a fly or a bee even, whom she is terrified of and gently put them outside. The so called evidence against my client is circumstance at best and contrived at worst. Let's look at this so called evidence."
Grayson opened the arrest report.
"According to this report the defendant was seen doing the toe tap booty bounce. Everyone who knows how to do that please raise your hand?"
Three quarters of everyone in the courtroom raised their hand; Grayson included.
"Also, the D.A. said that Deb wasn't particularly fond of the victim. I'm not particularly fond of rice pudding but I didn't go and murder the person who invented rice pudding did I? I wasn't particularly fond of a bully who used to beat me up in school but I didn't go and kill him."
Everyone laughed.
"The victim was killed in between the hours of 8 PM and 10 PM. My client has an alibi for those hours. She said she was driving her friend home from a party because her friend was drunk. I have her friend who will testify to that. There were witnesses who would describe the defendant as a blonde haired slender girl with possibly green eyes. Looking in the courtroom I see tons of girls fit that profile. How many of you are murders?"
The jury laughed.
"Listen the defense plans to prove that Ms. Dobkins is innocent of all the ridiculous charges against her.
"The jury has an important job. You must decide whether or not the defendant is innocent or guilty. Remember guilty means beyond a reasonable doubt. I don't believe that you will find no doubt of her guilt but I do believe you will find every reason to believe her innocence."
Grayson turned around.
"I want you to see something," he said.
He did the toe, tap booty bounce.
Deb felt a wave of nausea run through her body. She took some deep breaths to calm her stomach. She was probably just very nervous. Grayson turned to face the jury.
"See," he said, "I can do the toe tap booty bounce too. It doesn't mean that I killed the victim either."
"No but you have a cute booty," said one member of the jury.
"Thank you," Grayson said, "So does the defendant."
Deb smiled at that line.
"I have an older sister. She and I are really close. When I was first being potty trained she played a trick on me. She told me that you pee through your butt and you poop through your privates. When I did the opposite I was very upset.
"I thought something was wrong with me. My mom reassured me that my sister was just playing a trick on me. You actually poop from your butt and pee from your privates. Deb is innocent just like my sister was pulling a joke on me. Don't let a few facts cloud the truth."
Grayson went to take his seat.
"Trial will continue in 3 days time at 11 o'clock AM," the judge said, "And Mr. Kent thank you for the entertaining yet prevalent speech. Court is adjourned until Friday"
The judge banged his gavel.
