Welcome back to Turnabout From The Dark. Last time, Phoenix and company returned to the scene of the crime and discovered a valuable clue hidden in the bushes outside the office: a tattered piece of parchment, which as we last saw it, Phoenix and Trucy were still working on putting together. But as they left, Hunter showed up detailing that Spyro's claw test results were ready for court the next morning. So today we see what that is all about. So how's court going to go today? Read on to discover...

District Court Defendant Lobby No. 5

Tuesday March 23

09:50 hrs

(Our story resumes back in the defendant lobby, where Phoenix is on the phone with Trucy, who is for some reason absent. As he finishes up his call, Cynder approaches him, trying to figure out what he's doing.)

Phoenix: (Into the phone) Right. Let me know if the parchment pieces together to anything. Thanks Trucy. Love you. Bye. (Hangs up)

Cynder: What was that all about?

Phoenix: Just getting an update from Trucy. She's still working on piecing together the parchment. Surprised I actually get cell signal here.

Cynder: So we're still getting nowhere with that parchment?

Phoenix: It was apparently in a lot of pieces. There may still be some in that bush for all I know. But if the analysis of Spyro's claw marks goes as I'm hoping it did, we should be able to get reasonable doubt on our side.

Cynder: So that's our whole plan? Keep redirecting to investigation via reasonable doubt?

Phoenix: Until I can find somebody else who may have done it, this is all we really can do.

Cynder: If it helps get Spyro out of this jam, then I'm with you.

Phoenix: Let's hope it does. (Checks the clock) Court starts in a few minutes, we'd better head in and get set up.

District Court Courtroom No. 5

Tuesday March 23

10:00 hrs

(The fervor of the Courtroom is at it's usual fever pitch, until Elora bangs her gavel to signal the start of court proceedings for the day)

Elora: Court will now resume for the trial of Spyro.

Phoenix: The Defense is ready, Your Honor.

Red: As is the Prosecution.

Elora: Very well then. I understand there is news from the defense in regards to their investigation.

Phoenix: Yes, Your Honor, there is. If my sources are correct, the results of Spyro's claw analysis are back.

Red: I can only hope you actually found something useful in all of this, for your sake.

Phoenix: Your hopes are as good as mine, Prosecutor. I've yet to hear the results.

Elora: Well then what are we waiting for? Get the results in here!

Phoenix: The courier should be on the way. We can only hope they get here soon.

(Just as Phoenix makes that remark, the doors to the courtroom open, allowing Hunter to enter, carrying an envelope and package)

Phoenix: Now that's some perfect timing right there.

Red: I assume you've come with the test results.

Hunter: (Places the envelope on the witness stand) I've got them right here.

Red: Excellent. Then testify as to your testing and the results.

Hunter: Gladly.

Witness Testimony: Claw Mark Analysis

Hunter: When the court called in an order for a claw mark analysis I was really surprised. We don't get those that often, but I was more than willing to conduct the test. After receiving a sample of the stone used in the flooring of the Sheila, Bentley, and Sparx law firm offices, we had Spyro scratch the stone while swinging a weight equivalent to that of the murder weapon. Then we went to the scene and compared the resultant scratch pattern to the ones found during the investigation. For comparison's sake, we tested all four sets of Spyro's claws. Our analysis suggested the marks were not made by Spyro's claws. However, there were also some marks in the stone from something that was definitely not a claw. As to what left them, our best guess is they were left by a walking stick of some kind.

Witness Testimony Concludes

Claw Mark Analysis added to Court Record

Phoenix: Okay, that was way more detail than I was expecting.

Elora: Very well then, Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross examination at any time.

Phoenix: Yes, Your Honor.

Cross-Examination: Claw Mark Analysis

Hunter:

When the court called in an order for a claw mark analysis I was really surprised.

We don't get those that often, but I was more than willing to conduct the test.

After receiving a sample of the stone used in the flooring of the Sheila, Bentley, and Sparx law firm offices, we had Spyro scratch the stone while swinging a weight equivalent to that of the murder weapon.

Then we went to the scene and compared the resultant scratch pattern to the ones found during the investigation.

For comparison's sake, we tested all four sets of Spyro's claws.

Phoenix: HOLD IT! What reason would you have for running the test four times?

Hunter: Using the scratch pattern, we can determine how the perpetrator was likely standing, since sometimes dragons will stand on their hind legs for an attack. It's uncommon, but something we had to account for.

Phoenix: And how would you say the perpetrator was standing?

Hunter: The analysis definitely confirms a more bipedal stance. And it took us about 20 tries to get the bipedal samples, because Spyro was very hard of balance on his hind legs.

Red: OBJECTION! Did it ever cross your mind that he may have intentionally acted hard of balance to throw off the lab results?

Phoenix: OBJECTION! Spyro knows how serious this is, I doubt he would risk the integrity of the test that could set him free.

Red: Who knows what ways the guilty will use to hide it.

Hunter: I can confirm Spyro was taking this very seriously. I highly doubt he was faking being hard of balance. The test results would have showed him being more erratic if he was faking. Trust me, I've done more than a few of these.

Cross-Examination Continues

Our analysis suggested the marks were not made by Spyro's claws.

Phoenix: HOLD IT! So in your professional opinion, if Spyro did not make those scratch marks, who did?

Hunter: Your guess is as good as mine. I'd need a sample to compare to...

Red: (In a very demonic tone) OBJECTION! As fascinating as this forensic deep dive is, you have so far failed to live up to the conditions of surviving today. You have yet to prove how any of this is relevant to the court!

Phoenix: OBJECTION! I do believe the witness has already clarified why this is important. Hunter has already confirmed the results were taken performing the act of which Spyro is accused, swinging the murder weapon at his brother. (Slams his hands down on the desk) If the test results don't line up... (Points accusingly at Red) Then there's no evidence left that pins Spyro to the crime!

(With this revelation, the court erupts into uproar, until Elora bangs her gavel to silence them.)

Elora: Order! Order in the court! It seems Mr. Wright has made quite the point. Prosecutor Red, your response?

(Despite his entire case having fallen apart around him, Red seems calm, and has almost a devilish smirk on his face, as if he somehow expected this)

Red: The prosecution... holds no concerns.

Phoenix: Wait, is he giving up already?

Red: Very well done, Mr. Wright. You have found evidence that upon a cursory glance would exonerate your client. Yet, you still are missing one crucial element. A secondary suspect. If your client isn't the guilty party, then who is?

Elora: Indeed a good question. Mr. Wright, do you have any suspects as to who actually committed this crime?

Phoenix: At the moment, I do not. But I do have my team working on a lead.

Elora: Would you care to enlighten the court?

Phoenix: (Presents the Fragments of Parchment) These pieces of parchment were found in a bush outside the crime scene. We believe they may point us in the direction of the real killer once pieced back together.

Red: OBJECTION!

(With that objection, we see Red is now looking more devilish than he previously was, as if he was waiting on this)

Red: I hate to be the negative one, but what evidence do you have that these came from the office?

Phoenix: OBJECTION! I've got all the proof I need right here. (Presents the Ink Smudge)

Red: That's it? A smudge of ink on the windowsill?

Phoenix: Some of the fragments have been found to have a marking indicative of having the ink smeared, possibly by being shoved out the window. In addition, flakes of parchment were found in the dried ink.

Red: And what makes you think this ink didn't come from, say, the murder weapon? You know, the inkwell?

Phoenix: (Presents the Inkwell) As you can clearly see, Prosecutor, the inkwell has a stopper in it. And the police report confirms the stopper was in place the entire time.

Red: (Sighs) Very well.

Phoenix: The defense seeks time to investigate this lead further. And vows we will return to court with a suspect for this heinous crime.

Elora: Does the Prosecution have any objections to this?

Red: (With a subtle but devilish smirk on his face) Of course not, my dear. I for one would like to see where this actually goes.

Phoenix: I'm getting nervous about this guy. He's way too calm for a Prosecutor who's case just fell apart in front of them.

Elora: Very well then. The motion for investigation is granted. Court will resume tomorrow at 10:00 sharp!

(As Elora bangs her gavel to end court for the day, we focus on Phoenix, who should be celebrating his victory, but instead still looks as intense as ever)

Phoenix: Something strikes me as off about this Prosecutor. (Looks over at Red) He's way too calm for having his case fall apart around him. I'm starting to wonder if he knows more than anyone else about this. The more I look at this, the more like Manfred von Karma he seems. Actually, not just von Karma. I'm starting to see a bit of Matt Engarde in him as well. Which doesn't give me any better feelings about all this. (Looks over to Spyro in the Defendant's Chair) Looks like Spyro's got his best bet at an acquittal, thanks to Hunter's tests. But something tells me this fight is far from over. Let's just hope Trucy was able to put something together in that parchment, literally. That's the only thing I've got in my corner at this point. The lynchpin of the case. All I can hope is that it actually leads us somewhere...

To Be Continued...

And that looks like a good place to wrap up for today. So it looks like everything is coming up Spyro at this point! But something about Red just... unnerves Phoenix. Anyone who he sees as comparable to von Karma or Engarde, two of the most notorious perpetrators in Phoenix Wright history, just has to be bad news. Or is he just... misguided? I will say this, the next update will clear up everything. What did Sparx find that sent his killer after him? What is up with Red? Where does this fragmented parchment lead? All will be answered next time. So be sure to tune in for that! Same time... same channel!