August 1, 1:00 P.M. District Court, Courtroom No. 1

Sybil Mackey began to collect her thoughts silently, as if she was going to make sure her next testimony was correct and free from errors. The court stood still in an awkwardly silent manner, awaiting what was yet to come from was likely going to be another dead end in the case.

Mr. Helado was the first to break the silence. "Sybbie. Did you hear what about what happened outside the courtroom a short time ago?"

She replied, "Yes. I actually saw the event occur."

The judge sighed, "Sybbie, where were you when you allegedly observed the crash?"

"I was in my car, which was in the parking lot of the District Court. I was there because I was going to watch my friend testify in a trial. His Honor couldn't resist the opportunity to get the trial going at last. "Very well. Please inform the court of what you saw when the crash happened."

Sybbie looked at the cameramen again and began to rattle off words before becoming coherent and actually testifying.

"I was in my car, about to exit the driver's side," she said. "But suddenly, there was this small car with a few teenagers in it driving erratically. I couldn't help but stare at it. Then, to my shock, the car collided into a pickup truck head-on at high speeds! Seconds later, a girl was ejected from the front passenger seat onto the hood of the car!"

The whole gallery paused and the cameramen focused in on the judge. He nodded his head in agreement and elaborated, "Ah. That must have been one of the more shocking testimonies I have listened to in my life. Mr. Helado, are there any police reports out yet?"

Helado shrugged his shoulders. "Unfortunately, no. Not right now. However, the police have made a short video on a list of findings they found at the scene. I wish the court to watch the tape for themselves and draw their own conclusions."

He handed the DVD to the bailiff, who then reached upwards and let the disc fall down upon the bench.

A video screen was lowered from the ceiling. His Honor proceeded to insert the disc into a DVD player and let the disc spin up. Once it had loaded, a title card appeared on screen which read: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AT CAR CRASH #5,234, AUGUST 1, 2019. A police video recording of the wreckage outside the courtroom popped up on screen and a narration track began to play over the courtroom loudspeakers.

"When officers first arrived at the scene, it was discovered that both cars had impacted each other with substantial force, which was determined by the amount of damage to both vehicles. It is unknown which vehicle caused the collision at this time, so from hereafter the larger truck will be known as 'Vehicle A' and the smaller car 'Vehicle B'.

Vehicle B showed substantial damage to the mirrors, windshield, and dashboard. The windshield had partially shattered on impact. The department is at a loss to explain why this occurred, although it is presumed that this was caused by a manufacturing defect. The rear left side door had also be crushed inwards by the force of the impact, while the right side showed no damage.

Vehicle A was mostly undamaged, aside from a severely disfigured front end as a result of the collision. Likely due to the higher height of Vehicle A, the driver was uninjured. In Vehicle B, two of the three occupants were seriously injured, despite seat belts and airbag deployment.

Both vehicles came to rest within 45 feet of the estimated collision point, sliding forwards and sideways to the left before coming to a halt near a stop sign. This was probably due to the inertia still contained in both vehicles. More information will be announced as it is found."

The court gallery chatter increased after the video had been shown, forcing the judge to use his gavel several times to get the court back into its earlier orderly state. Sybbie smirked lightly as the judge regained his composure. "Mr. Wright, please Cross-Examine the witness."

"I was in my car, about to exit the driver's side," she said. "But suddenly, there was this small car with a few teenagers in it driving erratically. I couldn't help but stare at it. Then, to my shock, the car collided into a pickup truck head-on at high speeds!"

The defense attorney roared out, "Objection!"

His finger extended out from his right hand and pointed straight at Sybbie.

"You claim that you saw the truck being struck head-on by the smaller Camry. Are you going to stick with that?"

Sybbie answered, "Yes. What's wrong with it?"

Phoenix slammed his hands down on the counsel bench. He answered, "I saw the crash site after the incident occurred, and the most damage was caused to the Camry. And this would be caused if the truck hit the Camry at high speeds, not the other way around! How do you explain this hole in your story?"

Sybbie began sweating nervously and replied, "Well, you know... that's an excellent point for debate! I must have been confused about I saw, or the laws of motion..."

The judge groaned, "Sybbie, the court would like to hear an accurate series of events in your testimony. Your credibility is being seriously damaged as a result of these constant inaccuracies. We may have to dismiss you from the stand if you do not comply."

Sybbie sighed, "Yes, Your Honor", and her face went from that of embarrassment to one of sadness. His Honor banged the gavel once.

"All right, Sybbie. Let's hear your testimony once more please."

"When I saw the cars collide, there was the sound of metal crumpling and a grinding noise. The front end of the Camry was crumpled inwards, while the front of the truck remained fairly undamaged. The car's windshield shattered into pieces, and the passenger in the front seat was ejected from her seat and onto the severely damaged hood of the car. Later, the police pulled the drunk kid from the truck, tested him, and took him away to the police station."

The judge focused on Sybbie and saw that she was visibly disturbed by the experience of having her testimony doubted.

Phoenix took a short look at Sybbie and asked, "Your Honor, I would like to Cross-Examine the witness's testimony."

The judge replied, "You have my authorization."

When I saw the cars collide, there was the sound of metal crumpling and a grinding noise. The front end of the Camry was crumpled inwards, while the front of the truck remained fairly undamaged. The car's windshield shattered into pieces, and the passenger in the front seat was ejected from her seat and onto the severely damaged hood of the car."

Phoenix yelled, "Hold it!"

"Were you surprised when the windshield shattered on impact? Why didn't you call for help?"

Sybbie sweated and answered, "I was in shock from the whole thing, you know? I really didn't consider that I just saw a major car collision right in front of me..."

The defense attorney slammed his hands downwards. "Sybbie... there's just one problem with that."

"And what is that problem?"

Phoenix explained, "If you weren't shocked enough by the crash to do something, then you're hiding something from us. Tell the court the truth!"

Sybbie screamed, "WHAAAAAT? What have I done wrong?"

The court gallery roared in shock and the judge smashed the gavel three times. "ORDER! Order in the court!"

"Mr. Wright, I would assume that you have evidence to prove your claim. If not, then you will be unable to proceed with the Cross-Examination."

"I do, Your Honor. In fact, this evidence comes directly from Officer Mike Meekins himself."

He presented a stack of papers to the judge. His Honor grumbled, "Is this an affidavit?"

"Yes, it is so," the defense attorney elaborated. "It is a transcript of the interrogation of Reece Handel."

The judge inquired, "And who is this 'Reece Handel' that we speak of?"

"Your Honor, Reece Handel was the driver of Vehicle A in the car crash that happened in front of the District Court. After the incident, when a cop pulled him out of his vehicle, he was found to have open beer containers inside of his truck. His BAC was found to be .04%, which is twice the legal limit for someone under 21. He was taken to a nearby jail, where he was booked and was interrogated by Officer Meekins.

According to Meekins, Mr. Handel implicated himself as the cause of the crash, but didn't state whether he caused the crash intentionally or accidentally. He also claimed that two friends of his gave him the alcohol in exchange for firearms. Handel also was found to have tobacco cigarettes in his truck, also allegedly originating from the friends of his. One of his friends was described as being 'mentally insane' and that she 'wanted to kill someone'. Your Honor, there is possibly a connection between Sybil Mackey and this 'friend'."

The judge looked at the defense counsel strangely.

"So you're suggesting that Sybbie is this 'mentally insane' friend you're referring to?"

Phoenix nodded his head. "Yes, Your Honor. However, I will need more evidence in order to proceed with the indictment."

Helado screamed, "¡Objeción!"

"Your Honor, why allow for the defense to delay the trial once again? All they're doing is hurting my case! What is with you and your bias for the-"

The judge smashed the gavel once. "Overruled. The defense wanting to have a recess is justified because they have a valid argument. If you challenge my thought process again, I will find you in contempt of court."

Helado groaned, "Yes, Your Honor..."

The judge bellowed, "I hereby declare that a fifteen minute recess is in effect for both the witness to regain her composure and for the defense to bolster its case. Court is now in recess!"

As the gavel lowered, Helado's head sunk even deeper into the counsel bench, knowing that both his case and strategy were now in pieces.