June 21, 9:40 AM
District Court~ Defendant Lobby No. 3
"Iris!" Maya said, relieved to see her friend and lawyer again.
"M-mystic Maya, good morning!" Iris bowed politely to her. "I hope your time in prison wasn't too hectic."
Maya raised a brow in concern when she looked at Iris. The lawyer tried to look fine, but her hair was a little disheveled, her breathing was too fast, her hands were sweaty, and her eyes were bagged and bloodshot.
"I'm fine, Iris," Maya said slowly, "but are you okay, though?"
Iris laughed nervously. "Oh, I-I'm fine! Just looking at the chances of us winning this case. I managed to obtain some evidence to help us in the trial!"
"That's good!" Maya said happily, clapping her hands together.
"But there's a likely chance it's not enough..." Iris added with fake cheer. "And we're fighting a von Karma...a von Karma! I'm fine with any prosecutor, but that...!"
Iris frowned, hyperventilating as she began sweating like a burst water balloon, gripping her hair tightly as she felt overwhelmed. "I-I don't k-know if I-I-!"
"Iris!" Maya shouted, slapping Iris before grabbing her by the shoulders. "Listen to me! You're going to do fine! You got nothing to worry about!"
"B-but Mystic Maya, if I do anything wrong, y-you'll-!" Iris stammered worriedly, but Maya cut her off.
"Don't think about that right now! Just think about the case, everything Diego taught you, and how you're going to kick butt!" Iris encouraged her. "You won your first case, I'm sure you can win this one!"
Iris paused for moment and took Maya's words in. "Thank you, Mystic Maya...you can let go of me now."
"Oh, sorry," Maya giggled nervously, letting Iris go.
Iris sighed. Despite Maya's pep talk, there was a glimmer of worry still present.
"I just wish I could've gotten more information in regards to this case. Especially as to why Sir had you channel Dahlia in the first place."
Iris paused, her eyes widened as she rubbed her chin. "Come to think of it..."
Iris turned to Maya with a curious look. "Why did you two-channel Dahlia?"
Maya chuckled nervously, scratching her head. "O-oh, it was nothing, j-just an accident...!"
Iris opened her mouth to press further but noticed a strange warmth emitting from the Magatama wrapped around her neck. Suddenly, chains appeared and separated her from Maya, with three red locks keeping the chains in place.
P-psyche Locks?! Iris thought loudly. Her jaw dropped to the floor as she took a step back. W-why does she-?!
"Iris, are you okay?" Maya asked, raising a brow in concern.
"Will the defendant and her attorney step to the courtroom immediately!" a bailiff called out to them.
"Oh, I guess this is it then," Maya said, giving Iris a warm and encouraging smile. "Go get 'em, Iris! I believe in you."
Iris just stayed silent, too surprised by the Psyche Locks to utter a word. She wanted to press further about the Psyche Locks but had to keep it to herself at the moment as the trial was about to commence.
. . .
June 21, 10:00 AM
District Court~ Courtroom No. 2
The trial hadn't started yet and the people in the gallery were already discussing amongst themselves.
"Why is there even a trial?"
"I know right? It's obvious who's guilty..."
"The attorney they got is a rookie, right? And she's going against a Von Karma?"
"This isn't a trial, this is a slaughter..."
...and they weren't doing wonders for the rookie lawyer's confidence.
You can do this, Iris, she breathed, trying to block out the gallery's just a trial. You can win this like the last time...
By the time she managed to compose herself, the woman she dreaded to face stepped into the courtroom and made her way to the prosecution's side.
Franziska von Karma. The Wild Mare. The Daughter of the Prosecuting God...
Standing on the other side of the courtroom was a young woman with pale white skin and short silver hair, wearing regal clothing. Her outfit consisted of a white shirt with puffy shoulders on her long sleeves, a black vest with diamond buttons to match the diamond cufflinks on her long sleeves, black gloves, a black minidress, nylons, and black boots to match. By the time she went to the prosecution's desk, she crossed her arms and closed her eyes to strengthen her focus as the aura she irradiated from her presence gave off a sense of ruthlessness and superiority.
The Judge pounded his gavel against his desk. "The court is now in session for the trial of Maya Fey. Are the prosecution and the defense ready?"
Iris swallowed some saliva, her throat dry. "T-the defense is r-ready, Your Honor."
The von Karma didn't answer, her eyes still closed.
"Ms. Iris Hawthorne," she said in a German accent, every word oozing a sense of authority to it.
"G-good m-morning..." Iris whispered meekly, staring at the prodigious prosecutor.
"I take it that you are surprised that I'm your opposition this early in your career."
"H-how did you...?"
"I always make it an effort to study my opponents before engaging them in combat. And I would like you to know..."
Von Karma's eyes suddenly sprang open, giving Iris' a cold glare as she lifted her arm in her direction. "Your position as an amateur does not concern me. This is a trial, so I will not hold back, even to the likes of you."
Iris stammered, trying to reply. "W-well, I-I didn't assume that y-you would-
whp-CRACK!
"AAAGH!" Iris cried out in pain as von Karma pulled out a whip and quickly struck her with it, leaving a stinging, bleeding wound on her face.
"I was talking," von Karma said, setting down her whip. "If you interrupt again, my whip will do the speaking for me!"
"Y-Y-Your Honor!" Iris cried out in panic, pointing at Von Karma. "S-She assaulted me!"
The Judge raised a brow in confusion. "Yes, so?"
"A-Aren't you going to penalize her?!"
"No," he answered bluntly, baffling Iris.
"B-but bringing a weapon to the courtroom is...!" Iris protested, but the judge cut her off.
"Ms. Hawthorne, do I have to penalize you for wasting this court's time?"
"B-but...the whip a-and..." Iris mumbled meekly, unable to speak coherently before receiving an unjust penalty.
"Enough wasting time," von Karma said, striking her desk with her whip before making a pose. "Let's get to it then!"
"Of course," the Judge said. "Now, for your opening statement, Miss von Karma-"
whp-CRACK!
"YEOWCH!"
"Isn't it obvious, fool? Anyone who is of von Karma blood has only one fate. PERFECTION! And the defendant Maya Fey, will not escape from her guilt on my watch."
"O-of course," the Judge stammered. "And the defense...?"
Iris, despite her fear, managed to strengthen her nerves. "The d-defense pleads not guilty, Your Honor."
Von Karma laughed mockingly in response. "Oh, the foolish fool who foolishly dreams of foolish dreams...fifteen minutes."
Iris raised a brow. "What?"
"Fifteen minutes," she repeated, "is the time I give to you before you change your plea to justified self-defense, Ms. Iris Hawthorne. I usually go with ten minutes, so consider this your only mercy."
Justified self-defense? Iris pondered. A plea reserved when one unintentionally murdered to defend themselves...my case would be stronger if I pleaded that but...
Iris turned to Maya, who gave her a warm, encouraging smile and a thumbs up. Iris frowned in response.
That would leave me saying Maya committed the crime...
"The defense sticks to its plea of not guilty, Your Honor," she announced, narrowing her eyes at von Karma.
"How foolish, Ms. Iris Hawthorne!" von Karma shouted. "If that's how you'll play, then I'll show pleasure in defeating you. I call my first witness!"
Iris swallowed her fear and tightened the grip of her Maya is counting on me...I won't lose!
Detective Gumshoe made his way to the stand.
"Witness, state your name and occupation," the Judge requested.
"Yes, sir!" Gumshoe shouted with a salute. "My name is Dick Gumshoe. I'm the detective at the local-"
whp-CRACK!
"-YEOWCH!"
"Get to the point already and state to the court the details of the murder!" von Karma demanded, menacingly displaying her whip.
"Y-yes, ma'am!" Gumshoe nodded, pointing at a large screen then appeared from the ceiling and showed everyone the map of the Channeling Chamber.
"As you can see, the Channeling Chamber has no windows and the door was locked shut," he explained. "At the time of the murder, only the victim and the defendant were in the room."
"What were they doing in there?" the Judge asked.
"They were, um..." Gumshoe hesitated, "channeling a spirit, sir..."
"Channeling a spirit? the Judge repeated in disbelief.
"Anyway, a few minutes after the channeling, the victim's scream was heard coming from inside the room, sir. A few of the witnesses broke down the door and went into the room."
"Ah, and that's when they found the victim already dead, correct?" the Judge asked, stroking his beard. "This has to be one of the most open and shut cases I have ever presided in. So, how was the victim murdered?"
"I was just about to get to that, sir."
"Then stop wasting my time and get to it," von Karma gritted her teeth, displaying her whip to intimidate Gumshoe.
Out of fear, the detective began his testimony.
TESTIMONY
"The direct cause of death was the 20 stab wounds to his chest, sir.
"The murderer used a knife and a chloroform-dipped cloth to commit the crime.
"The wounds were very severe, but they didn't cause instantaneous death.
"The death was made out to be as painful as possible."
The Judge frowned and shook his head in disgust. "How gruesome..."
He then turned to Iris. "Ms. Hawthorne, you may now question the witness."
Iris steeled her wits. Here we go...
CROSS-EXAMINATION
"The direct cause of death was the 20 stab wounds to his chest, sir.
"The murderer used a knife and a chloroformed-dipped cloth to commit the crime."
"HOLD IT! The murder weapon, Detective Gumshoe. From what you've told the court, there were no entrances or windows in the Channeling Chamber. If that's the case, where did the knife come from?"
"It came from the victim, pal," Gumshoe answered. "The knife belonged to him."
Iris' eyes widened upon hearing that. Why would Sir even carry a-wait...
Iris remembered. Ever since that incident with Dahlia, Diego had become a little paranoid of his surroundings and decided to bring a concealable knife in case of emergencies.
Not that I blame him, though, Iris thought glumly, turning away. That incident resulted in a comatose Mystic Mia...
Afterward, Iris turned back to Gumshoe and pressed further. "...then what of the cloth, Detective?"
"OBJECTION!" von Karma shouted, a smug grin across her face. "Where the knife and the cloth came from? It doesn't matter! The defendant's fingerprints are found on both pieces of evidence!"
The Judge raised a brow. "There were fingerprints?"
"Along with the defendant's, Maya Fey's were also on the grip of the knife, sir," Gumshoe answered.
"The wounds were very severe, but they didn't cause instantaneous death."
"HOLD IT! Just how severe was the wound?"
Gumshoe turned to Iris, baffled. "20 stab wounds in the chest, pal! Weren't you listening?"
Iris giggled nervously. "Sorry..."
"The death was made out to be as painful as possible."
"HOLD IT! That part seems...a little too much, Detective. Why did you have to point out how the murderer tried to make the death as painful as possible."
"A foolish fool who foolishly asks foolish questions," von Karma sneered. "Considering who the spirit that the defendant tried to summon is, I believe you understand more than any of us as to why the victim's death was as excruciating as it was..."
Iris flinched, taking a step back at her retort.
"Alright, that's enough," the Judge interjected. "We've clearly established how the victim was murdered."
"I brought the murder weapon and the cloth with me, Your Honor," Gumshoe said, handing the Judge two plastic bags containing the aforementioned knife and cloth.
"The date and time of death was June 19th at 3:30 PM, Your Honor," von Karma added. "Eyewitnesses claimed to have heard the victim screaming at this time."
"And the fact that the cloth and murder weapon has the defendant's fingerprints on it," the Judge added, stroking his beard. "Hmm...this does appear to be an open and shut case."
Von Karma grinned. "That's not all, Your Honor. The Detective has more to add with his testimony."
Iris grimaced, sweating nervously. There's more?!
TESTIMONY
"We've got some more evidence, sir."
"This is the costume the defendant was wearing at the time of the crime.
"It consists of a white robe and a royal headpiece, Your Honor.
"The defendant attacked and killed the victim, who was without a doubt, not fighting back."
The Judge observed the costume. "Hmm...there is certainly a large amount of blood on this costume, Detective. The court accepts the robes and the headpiece as evidence."
Iris grimaced as she stared at the bloodied robe. The Judge was correct, it was incredibly bloody. Not to mention the tear on the sleeve...
"What's wrong?" von Karma mocked. "You seem at a loss. I think this is the last piece of evidence the prosecution has to offer. Feel free to sulk off with your tail between your legs, Ms. Iris Hawthorne!"
Iris growled, fighting the urge to grab her copy of the Autopsy Report to throw it at the pompous, whip-happy prosecutor.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
"We've got some more evidence, sir."
"HOLD IT! D-detective, why didn't you present this evidence earlier!?" Iris asked, trying to find something to press on.
"Um...I was just about to get to it, pal" Gumshoe answered, raising a brow.
Iris glared at Gumshoe suspiciously. "Are you really now-?"
whp-CRACK!
"AAACK!"
Von Karma laid her whip down and glanced at Iris, annoyed. "Stop wasting time and let the witness continue."
Iris whimpered in pain, still feeling the sting of the whip.
"This is the costume the defendant was wearing at the time of the crime.
"It consists of a white robe and a royal headpiece, Your Honor."
"HOLD IT! Detective, that costume is the... same one from the crime scene...oh, dear-"
whp-CRACK!
Iris screamed in pain. Why do you keep hitting my face!?
"Must I repeat myself?" von Karma threaten, gesturing to her whip. "No wasting time!
Iris gulped, nearly overwhelmed from the stress. T-this is bad! I-I need to find something-ANYTHING that contradicts!
"The defendant attacked and killed the victim, who was without a doubt, not fighting back."
"OBJECTION! Detective, you said the victim was incapable of fighting back. Are you quite sure about that?"
"As sure as I am, pal!" Gumshoe nodded.
"Then how do you explain this?!" Iris countered, presenting one of the things she found yesterday.
"A folding screen?" the Judge asked.
"This folding screen was found in the Channeling Chamber, Your Honor," she explained. "As you can see with the many cracks and tears, it's damaged."
"Just get to the point and say it, fool!" von Karma called out impatiently.
"It's simple, Ms. von Karma," she answered. "It's unlikely that it was broken before the murder, so I propose that the victim DID fight back and in the struggle, caused the screen to break!"
The courtroom went silent for a while, the only thing audible being Iris' heavy panting. Von Karma then let out a mocking chuckle.
"Is that all, Ms. Iris Hawthorne?" von Karma said, leaning against the desk and wiggling her pointing finger at Iris. "Because you appeared to have proven your own client guilty."
Iris flinched. "W-What do you mean by-?"
She froze, her eyes widened in realization. "No..."
Von Karma smiled sinisterly, knowing full-well what her would-be opposition had realized. "With the information the defense presented, it can be confirmed that the victim DID fight back against the defendant, but all of that amounts..."
The prosecutor then raised her hand and pointed it at Iris condescendingly. "...to further backing justified self-defense. During the channeling session, the defendant attempted to attack, but the victim fought back with his knife. The fight escalated to the point they damaged the folding screen and when the defendant saw the weapon, she took it and committed the horrible deed."
The Judge stroked his beard. "Yes, that does make sense..."
"OBJECTION!" Iris called out, frantic. "B-b-but...Your Honor, t-that doesn't explain how Maya could overpower the victim! He's twice her size and is more physically fit!"
"OBJECTION!" von Karma countered. "A foolish fool who foolishly contradicted her foolish self! When a spirit is channeled, the channeler's body takes the form of that spirit. It would explain how the defendant overpowered Diego Armando. Furthermore, considering the history between him and Dahlia Hawthorne, it would make perfect sense."
"B-but the-!"
"The cloth mentioned before?" von Karma finished mockingly. "Does it even matter now? As I said before, the defendant's fingerprints were found on it and all the other evidence points to her as the culprit!"
"N-no..." Iris whimpered out, trying in vain to think up something to speak against von Karma, who watched her dilemma with smug satisfaction as she motioned her arm to the Judge.
"Feel free to slam that little gavel of yours, Your Honor," Von Karma said haughtily. "After all, there's little room for doubt, is there?"
"Quite right," the Judge nodded before turning to Iris. "Ms. Hawthorne."
"Y-yes, Your Honor?" Iris asked.
"Even with the evidence presented, do you still plead not guilty? It is the option of the court that if you do adjust your plea, you stand to lose."
Von Karma laughed cruelly. "Just like I said, Ms. Iris Hawthorne. You'll be changing your plea in less than fifteen minutes."
Von Karma then checked her watch and gave an amused whistle. "And look at that, only five minutes left to spare!"
"Will you change your plea to justified self-defense, Ms. Hawthorne?" the Judge asked. "Because now would be the time to do so. This is your final chance."
Iris paused, thinking about it for a moment. Gumshoe's testimony had too much ground to it. If Maya was convicted, pleading for justified self-defense should soften the blow.
Iris frowned. She hated to do this, but von Karma's witness and the way her case was presented was too much. It seemed so hopeless.
"Your Honor..." Iris said sadly.
"Are you going to change your plea, Ms. Hawthorne?" the Judge asked while von Karma gave Iris a smug grin, believing she had won the trial already.
Iris opened her mouth. "I..."
If I plead justified self-defense...that would make Mystic Maya the murderer...
...that would ruin her life...she'd be known as a murderer to everyone...
...Pearl would heartbroken about this...
...And Sir...Sir wouldn't be avenged...!
Iris' look of despair suddenly changed into that of determination as she glared at von Karma, who was taken aback by the sudden change.
"Your Honor..." Iris bellowed, her glare towards the prosecutor intensifying, "the defense will not change its plea. Despite what the prosecution says, I believe-no, I KNOW that my client is innocent and I will not rest until the court is convinced as well!"
Von Karma took a step back, shocked at the attorney's decision. This...this was not what she predicted!
"You..." she growled, brandishing her whip. "Your persistence is admirable but foolish, Ms. Iris Hawthorne!"
"I must agree with Ms. von Karma," the Judge added. "This case is open and shut. I do not doubt that the defendant is guilty."
"This trial isn't over yet, Your Honor," Iris interjected. "There's still one more witness and we haven't looked at all the clues just yet!"
Von Karma laughed. "As if that matters now, foolish fool! All the evidence presented thus far points to Maya Fey! As far as I'm concerned, this trial is over!"
"Is it?" Iris retorted, her eyes narrowing at the prosecutor. "Or is the great Franziska von Karma withholding key evidence because she's scared she'll lose to a rookie attorney?!"
whp-CRACK!
The entire courtroom gasped in complete shock at what they had just witnessed. Von Karma's jaw dropped in disbelief as just when she had raised her whip to strike at Iris for her insolence, the defense attorney had caught it with her bare hands before it could even strike at her face. Tightening her grip on the whip, Iris used all of her strength to pulled the whip right out of von Karma's hands, sending it to the floor.
"What...!?" von Karma mumbled in surprise, but she quickly seethed in rage as she went to pick up her whip before returning to her desk.
"If that's how you want to play then fine!" the prodigious prosecutor growled, banging her fist against her desk. "Your Honor!"
The Judge squeaked in fright. "Y-yes, ma'am!"
"I would like to present my next witness!" she demanded, striking her desk with her whip again before making an intimidating pose.
"H-hold on for a minute!" he protested. "I'M the only one who can run proceed-EEK!"
The Judge cowered in fear as von Karma pointed her whip at him.
"O-of course, Ms. von Karma," the Judge said nervously. "H-however, the court would like t-to take a ten-minute recess...t-to let you prepare the next witness, of course!"
Von Karma growled in irritation at that, but took a deep breath and composed herself.
"Prepare yourself, Ms. Iris Hawthorne," she declared, glaring at Iris. "For soon you will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!"
Von Karma stomped on the ground and huffed in frustration as she marched out of the courtroom. Once she was gone, Maya ran close to Iris.
"Iris, that was amazing!" she cheered. "You put her right in her place!"
"..." Iris began to whimper, tears slowly streaming down her face.
"Iris, are you okay-?" Maya asked, only to be cut off as Iris cried like a baby as she displayed her scarred hands to the medium.
Court Record:
Evidence:
1. Iris' Attorney Badge
2. Magatama
3. Newspaper about Dahlia
4. Black Key
5. Folding Screen
6. Diego Armando's Autopsy Report
7. Floor Plans
8. Knife
9. Chloroform Cloth
10. Robe
11. Headpiece
Profiles:
1. Diego Armando
2. Maya Fey
3. Pearl Fey
4. Ini Miney
5. Dahlia Hawthorne
6. Morgan Fey
7. Detective Gumshoe
8. "Maggey Byrde"
9. Franziska von Karma