Ric buttoned his suit jacket as he walked towards Taggert, who sat in the witness chair, Ric waiting for him to answer the question.
"If you would Detective, tell the court what happened on the night in question." Ric asked again.
"I received an anonymous phone call around midnight at the station, they said the police would be interested to to know that there was a body lying in the alley down at the docks near Pier 34. A few officers and myself went to investigate the lead." Taggert began.
"And then what happened?"
"When we arrived on the scene, not knowing what we may find, we had our weapons drawn and we walked into the alley. We found Zander standing over the body that laid on the ground at his feet. We proceeded to then remove him from the immediate area of the body and searched him."
"And what if anything did you find in your initial search?" Ric questioned.
"We searched the defendant and found a gun in his jacket pocket." Taggert replied as Ric went to the evidence table and picked up the weapon that laid on display.
"Is this the gun you found in Mr. Smith's pocket that night?" Ric asked as he handed a gun that was sealed in a plastic bag to Taggert.
"Yes sir it is. Ballistics tell us that it is the weapon that was used to shoot and kill Mr. Corinthos." Taggert replied as he adjusted his posture in his seat.
"Then what happened?"
"We removed Mr. Smith from the crime scene and placed him in a squad car. We took him back to the PCPD and began questioning him after reading Mr. Smith his rights."
"What if anything did Mr. Smith tell you?" Ric continued with his questions as he pointed to Zander sitting at the defense table.
"Mr. Smith didn't tell us anything. He asked for counsel and made his one phone call. A short time later, Ms. Davis showed up." Taggert replied as he glanced over Ric's shoulder at Alexis.
"One last question, Detective Taggert .... the weapon that was found on Mr. Smith, what can you tell me about it?" Ric asked and walked back towards the table.
"The weapon isn't traceable, Mr. Lansing. The registration numbers have been shaved off it so it can't be. It's a common practice among criminals." Taggert replied looking directly at Zander.
"Thank you Detective Taggert, your witness Ms. Davis." Ric said as he sat down in his seat.
Alexis stood up and buttoned her blazer as she approached the detective still in the witness chair. "Did you find Mr. Smith to be coherent when you found him in the alley standing over the deceased?" Alexis asked as she looked over her black rimmed glasses at Taggert.
"How do you mean, counselor?" Taggert returned a question instead of the answer she was looking for.
"I mean, was he perhaps staggering or needed assistance to walk? Was his speech slurred?" she replied with more of a direct question.
"He may have mentioned something about being hit over the head by someone ... yes he was uneasy on his feet, Ms. Davis." Taggert replied remembering now that he noticed Zander's staggering about the alley that night.
"Did the defendant see a medical professional that night before you started questioning him?" Alexis questioned.
"There were paramedics on the scene and one did take a look at Mr. Smith before we took him down to the PCPD, yes someone did take a look at Mr. Smith."
Alexis took out the paramedic's report and held it up so those in the courtroom could see what she was holding. "This is the paramedic's report from that night, your honor and I'd like it ordered into evidence." Alexis said as she handed the report to the clerk.
"Objection, your Honor. The prosecution has had no prior knowledge of this report till now." Ric stood from his chair to argue.
"The defense didn't have this report till this morning, your Honor. I just received it before walking into the courtroom. There was no time to give prior notice about the report to the prosecution." Alexis came back.
Judge Williamson had both of them approach his bench for a private conference. After a short time of whispers between the three of them, the judge spoke up.
"Counselor, the report will be accepted and it's so ordered into evidence." Judge Williamson announced as he extended the documents to the clerk.
Ric and Alexis walked away from the bench, Alexis giving Ric a look of victory and then she continued her questions for the witness.
"This report clearing shows that Mr. Smith had been assaulted prior to the crime and that he was in need of medical attention. Also the report tells us that the paramedics on the scene told the officers that Mr. Smith needed more medical attention then what they could give him, that he should go to the hospital to see a doctor. Do you Detective remember any of this conversation between the paramedics and the officers?"
Taggert cleared his throat, now that she mentioned it, he did remember something like what has been reported. "Yeah vaguely ..." he replied being evasive.
"Yes or no, Detective." Alexis replied sternly.
"Yes I do remember the conversation, Ms. Davis. And no Mr. Smith saw no one else about his alleged injuries after he saw the paramedics. We took him to the PCPD for questioning." Taggert replied more directly this time.
"I have no further questions for this witness, your Honor." Alexis said as she returned to the defense table and sat down in her seat.
Ric rose from his seat and announced his next witness for the prosecution. "The prosecution calls Dr. Cameron Lewis to the stand."
Alexis glared at Ric and a victory smirk came across his face. Alexis shot back a piercing look of detest to Ric and wondered what he was up to this time.
Shock overwhelmed Zander as he heard a name from his past mentioned in open court. Alexis looked at Zander confused about this man the DA was calling to the stand. Zander didn't tell her about his past, it hadn't crossed his mind that the DA would dig this deep for evidence against him.
Alexis leaned in and spoke softly to Zander .... "You know this Dr. Lewis?" she asked and Zander's eyes were filled with all sorts of emotions for this man, but mostly anger and fear.
Zander didn't want his past known to everyone, there were too many buried secrets he wanted to keep that way. He couldn't let this man from his past tell all that he knows, it would prove disastrous for Zander.
Zander swallowed hard as the man stepped into the courtroom all eyes were focused on the distinguished man in the tweed suit. The older man walked in passing those who were sitting in the Grand Jury box and made eye contact with Zander. Zander glared towards him and returned a confused look to him, wondering why the man would take these extreme measures against him.
"Zander .. who is this man and how do you know him?" Alexis asked again.
Zander leaned in towards her as he his eyes never left focus of the man from his past .... "He's my father."