AN: It's my new hope to get weekly updates on Thursdays, God willing I can bide enough time for it considering work and school happening and the length of these chapters. I'm updating today because, well this chapter has been done for a while so, wee update! But we'll see how it goes- even if it's not weekly, I'll still most likely be updating on Thursdays. Anyways, welcome to the start of the trial! And I have a feeling it's going to get really messy haha. Though, I figure some people have ideas as to how this'll turn out, I don't think anyone's gonna see what's coming entirely...so the more fun for me haha. As usual thanks for reading, reviewing, faving and following~
OBSERVER01: Let's see if you're right!
Gilgamesh The King of Heroes: He gives people a hard time, but he's sympathetic. Thanks, I do my best haha.
NeonPancake: Thank you! I know many people aren't fans oc/inserts, so thanks for taking the time out to give this a shot! I do my best to make the story interesting. And if you're getting embarrassed now...let's say you'll be dying soon considering what I have planned haha. Well, you never know. I have pairings in mind so, let's see if you're right. It'll be some time before we hit that point, but I am planning it out so stay tuned. And thank you, I had fun writing those chapters! And well, you could be right about that, but all shall be revealed in the next couple of chapters...
May 24th, 10:00 AM
District Courtroom No. 3
I had just entered the courtroom taking my position at the prosecution's bench. I came prepared and feeling far more refreshed than I had the previous day. I looked around; people were filing into the gallery on both sides excitedly. I could feel the court bursting with energy. It made sense, of course. Slim Chance was a big named racer who had been seen in court once already on a murder charge two years ago. And now, the same man was dead, with the widow of the victim in the first case being charged with his murder. Upon my arrival to the courthouse, I was bombarded with the flashing lights from cameras and the shrill voices of journalists attempting to ask me questions about the case. It seemed the media was all over this case as it was the perfect fodder for news stories and gossip magazines.
The judge leaving his chamber, entered the courtroom taking his usual seat up top. I looked across from me. The defense's bench was empty. Everyone else was present except Wright. Where was he?
(Did he not take the case? Even so, there should be a state appointed attorney present...)
I heard the sound of the gavel being brought down.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Alina Bunke. Is the defense ready?"
There was only silence as a response. The judge looked over at the empty bench and blinked in confusion. "Where is the defense?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, Your Honor," I said.
The judge shook his head. "We certainly can't hold a trial without an attorney. No appearance means I'll have no choice but to pass my verdict."
HOLD IT!
"Wh-Who said that?" blinked the judge.
"It... was me," said Wright who had just ran in, appearing at the bench panting. Ms. Fey had just run in behind him panting just as hard.
"And just where were you?" I asked impatiently.
"Don't look at me like that, Edgeworth," he replied sweating bullets. "I honestly wasn't expecting to be here today, considering my client was opting to take a state appointed attorney up until thirty minutes ago."
(Why does that not surprise me?)
"Regardless, do your best to arrive on time for now on, Mr. Wright," the judge said shaking his head.
"Yes, Your Honor. Sorry."
"Now, that you've arrived, we can begin the procedures. Is the defense ready?"
Wright nodded. "The defense is ready."
"Is the prosecution ready?"
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor."
The judge seemed pleased. "Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement."
I nodded, putting my notes in front of me to read.
"The prosecution's statement is simple: The defendant Ms. Bunke, is the only one who could have committed the crime yesterday morning. With her own confession as well as decisive evidence placing her at the crime scene, the prosecution will illustrate the defendant's complete guilt."
The judge blinked rapidly. "The defendant has already confessed to the crime? Then I see no purpose of continuing-"
HOLD IT!
"Your Honor, I simply want the opportunity to elaborate on the facts of this case, in order to thoroughly ensure the defendant's guilt."
He paused for a moment before responding. "Very well, you can provide additional details for your case, Mr. Edgeworth. But with a confession, I don't see the point of holding a trial."
I looked across and saw Ms. Fey looking tense.
"This already isn't good, Nick."
"We've barely begun and we're already up a creak without a paddle..." he sighed.
I decided to continue on, before the judge changed his mind.
"Your Honor, the prosecution would like to call its witness to stand, one who can provide more background about the crime."
The judge agreed to it, banging his gavel. The bailiff then left the room, to retrieve the detective. In a couple of minutes, Detective Gumshoe was on the stand.
(Let's see how well this turns out today.)
We had gone over the facts of the case yesterday, but I had my doubts about how well Detective Gumshoe's testimony would go. With my luck, something would probably go amiss. Regardless, I looked at the detective who looked eager to please and decided to get to work and hope for the best.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court."
"Dick Gumshoe, homicide detective in charge of this case!"
"Please describe what you discovered at the crime scene."
"Yes sir!"
Witness Testimony
At the scene of the crime
-The victim, Slim Chance was found in Exposé Park early yesterday morning.
-The autopsy report says he was killed somewhere between 2AM to 3AM.
-His cause of the death was a bullet straight to the heart.
-We found the murder weapon in the fountain.
-It has the defendant's prints on it.
So far, so good. He didn't add any unnecessary details or comments, which I was grateful for. Across, I saw Wright and Ms. Fey whispering something to each other. I was unsure of what they were planning, but so far the testimony the detective gave could kill their case in an instant.
"Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross examination."
"Thank you, Your Honor."
Cross Examination
At the scene of the crime
-The victim, Slim Chance was found in Exposé Park early yesterday morning.
HOLD IT!
"Around what time was he found?" Wright asked stroking his chin.
"It was phoned in around 6 AM," the detective said raising his brows up and down, looking up thoughtfully. Or as thoughtful as he could get, since it was Detective Gumshoe I was talking about.
"Do you know who reported the crime?"
"Sorry, pal we don't know who reported it. The call was from a phone booth in the park."
"...So where exactly was the body found?"
"The victim was found in the park's fountain. It's in this picture."
The crime scene photo appeared in front of the entire court, displaying Slim Chance's arms and legs hanging out of the fountain submerged in a mixture of water and blood.
The judge shook his head. "How any could be so bold to commit murder in a public spot like that is beyond me."
Detective Gumshoe slumped his shoulders as he frowned.
"He wouldn't be the first person murdered at this park, unfortunately. I'm starting to think the park is cursed..."
"A cursed park...? It could make for a creepy horror movie! 'Curse of Exposé Park'!" Ms. Fey with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"That's one movie I wouldn't watch," remarked Wright snidely.
-The autopsy report says he was killed somewhere between 2AM to 3AM.
HOLD IT!
The autopsy report appeared on screen next.
"So he was killed between 2AM to 3AM?"
"Ayup," the detective scratched the back of his head, with an eye shut. "Kinda feel bad for the guy, considering his death wasn't immediate."
"How long did it take for him die?"
"About ten minutes, made worse since..."
-His cause of the death was a bullet straight to the heart.
HOLD IT!
"Ten minutes with a bullet stuck in your heart?" Wright was hunched over sweating. "This guy must have had a strong heart..."
"Or nerves of steel," remarked Detective Gumshoe.
(...I don't that's what the phrase means, detective.)
-We found the murder weapon in the fountain.
HOLD IT!
"So, what kind of gun was it?"
"A .44 magnum pistol, pal. Two shots were fired from it. But that's not the interesting part. The interesting thing is..."
-It has the defendant's prints on it.
HOLD IT!
"Well, maybe, someone planted her prints on to the gun!"
OBJECTION!
"Sorry, Wright, but the defendant held the gun. In addition to the fingerprints on, her clothes were tested for gunpowder residue and there were traces of it on her person," I said arms folded tapping my finger on my arm.
"Urk..." he said hunched over. "And you're certain that that gun is the murder weapon?"
"Yup!" grinned the detective. "We tested the ballistics from the bullet inside the victim and the barrel of the gun, and they match."
The judge shook his head looking grave. "I'm failing to see how anyone else besides the defendant could have done this."
Wright was starting the tense up, looking more nervous.
"I also discovered this at the crime scene yesterday," I said presenting the hoop earring to the courtroom.
"An earring? I didn't know you were into jewelry, Mr. Edgeworth. You have the same taste as my wife..."
I shook my head. "While I am flattered, I don't know much about jewelry, Your Honor. However, I do know that this piece belongs to the defendant and was discovered at the crime scene."
The judge was surprised. "Well, the defendant's guilt certainly seems crystal clear to me now."
Wright and Ms. Fey were looking and talking to each other in low voices making it difficult to hear. I could assume that were attempting to figure out their next move as, the judge was already thinking of ending trial.
"Mr. Wright, I'm ready to draw this cross examination to close unless you have any problems with it."
"Um...yeah! I do have a problem with it!" Wright said pointing his finger dramatically.
"What is it?"
"It's..." Wright hunched over sweating up a storm, but he then regained some composure and placed both of his hands down on the bench. "You mentioned that the gun fired two shots. One killed the victim, but where is the other bullet?"
"Oh!" The judge blinked. "I hadn't noticed that part. That's-"
"Completely irrelevant," I said slamming a hand on the bench. "We checked the scene for the other bullet, but didn't find it."
OBJECTION!
"Well, isn't peculiar? Bullets just don't disappear."
"Then what do you suppose happened to it? Did it just walk out?"
"Agh...No."
"It's possible the gun was fired at another time, which is why the other bullet didn't turn up," I said tapping the side of my head smirking.
"That does sound like a plausible theory," nodded the judge in agreement. "If that's all I'd like to bring this cross examination to an end."
"Ah- wait, Your Honor! There's something else bothering me."
"What is it, Mr. Wright? I do hope you aren't grasping for straws."
"Who? Me? I'd never," he rubbed the back of his head smiling sheepishly. "Uh, anyway...I want to see...the crime scene photo again!"
Wright was hunched over sweating. As usual, it was obvious he didn't have much of a plan.
"Alright, humor me," I started. "What exactly is wrong with this photo?"
The crime scene photo appeared to the entire court on the holographic screen.
"So, is there something really wrong?" asked Ms. Fey, looking on edge.
"I certainly hope so, or else we're as good as fried..."
Wright stared at the screen for a good couple of minutes. "I think...it's right there."
He was pointing to the victim's left hand in the photo.
"Can you enlighten us to what exactly the issue is, Mr. Wright?" asked the judge.
"Yes, I don't quite know what it is your pointing at," I remarked.
"Well, if you look closely...it looks like he's holding something in his hand."
The judge was squinting. "Well, I'll be! It does appear to be something he's holding on to."
I saw what they were talking about. The victim's hand was clenched, but grasping on to something white. How could that have gone unnoticed until now?
"Nrghhhhhhhhh," I bent over, fist pressed into the bench scowling. "This is an oversight..."
Detective Gumshoe was frowning. "Sorry, sir...we didn't see it."
I folded my arms in annoyance. "...I'll be reviewing your salary later."
The detective sighed, shoulders slumping.
"But what could he be holding on to?" asked the judge.
"The defense would like to request we find out what the victim is clutching to in this photo!"
"I am quite curious myself," remarked the judge blinking.
"Detective Gumshoe, can you look into this matter?"
The detective perked up at the suggestion. "Yes, sir! I'll call the forensics department right away."
"I suppose while this matter is being attended to, I shall call a brief twenty minute recess."
The judge banged his gavel and the courtroom began slowly emptying out.
May 24th, 11:08 AM
District Courtroom No. 3, Defendant Lobby
While we were waiting for court to reconvene, I decided to talk to Wright. Depending on what was discovered, trial could be ending sooner rather than later. Upon entrance to the room, I saw Ms. Bunke standing in the corner of the room chewing bubblegum as nonchalantly as possible as it is for a person accused of murder could. It didn't look like she was helping her case in the slightest. Wright and Ms. Fey were in the center of the room, anxious. It took them a moment to notice my presence, before speaking.
"Edgeworth! What are you doing here?" Wright said breaking out into a cold sweat. "I hope you're not here to continue destroying what little defense I have."
"Don't blame me, Wright. I'm only presenting what evidence I have at my disposal."
"Well...could you not?" he remarked sarcastically.
I folded my arms. "No."
He sighed.
"I only came over to see what you were planning on doing to prolong this," I remarked tapping my index finger on my arm. "While, I'm not totally convinced of her innocence, I would like to see this through entirely. There's a lot missing."
"Agreed, but I don't know what to do. We got lucky enough to get this recess, but afterwards, who knows how this will play out."
I paused. There was one possibility left. "...I have an idea, but you probably aren't going to like it."
"At this point, I'll take anything."
"You could cross examine your client."
His eyes widened at the suggestion. "Ugh...you're right I don't like it."
"But Nick, what else can we do? It looks like the judge wants to end trial as quickly as possible."
"I know, Maya, but Ms. Bunke speaks in circles. She'll probably end up making this a lot more difficult than necessary..."
"It's your choice, Wright. Unless what the detective brings back is groundbreaking, this case is over. I'll do what I can, but I'm not holding anything back."
"Just once I wish I didn't get a case that wasn't going to sink from the beginning..." he sighed.
Suddenly, there was a creaking noise coming from the door behind us. A bailiff opened it up.
"Court is reconvening in five minutes," he said before returning back into the courtroom and shutting the door.
"We better decide on what to do soon, Nick!"
"Yeah, I know..."
I decided to leave them alone to give them space to think it through. So with the recess ending, I bid them adieu, returning to the prosecution's side. What would happen in the courtroom next was anyone's guess.
May 24th, 11:13 AM
District Courtroom No. 3
Everyone returned to their designated positions. There was a bit of murmuring in the stands. The judge banged his gavel.
"Court is back in session, for the trial of Alina Bunke. Now, Detective Gumshoe, what was the victim holding in that photo?"
"It turned out to be a piece of torn white fabric, Your Honor," said the detective. "There are prints on it, but they belong to the victim."
The gallery started up at the news.
"Where could that fabric come from?" asked the judge.
"I think I have an idea," said Wright smirking with his hands on his hips.
"Then enlighten us, Mr. Wright," I said.
"It came from the true assailant!" he said pointing dramatically.
The judge blinked. "Mr. Wright, are you saying that the defendant isn't the killer?"
Wright nodded. "Exactly, Your Honor."
OBJECTION!
"And what's your basis for that? A piece of cloth?" I shake my head. "That's barely any ground for a mystery murderer."
OBJECTION!
"In the photo the victim isn't wearing anything white! He's wearing black and grays! And my client is as purple as a grape!"
OBJECTION!
"She could have changed clothes!" I said slamming the bench.
OBJECTION!
"Mr. Edgeworth, you yourself noted the gunpowder residue found on my client's clothes! There's no way she changed!" Wright said slamming both hands on the bench. "I believe the real killer, struggled with the victim before shooting him."
"Hmph, I think I might agree with you," I said tapping a finger on my arm.
"Huh?"
"The victim probably did struggle with the real killer, considering the real killer left this behind!" I slammed presenting the earring again.
"The earring...?" Wright began to sweat. "Well, that could have just fallen out!"
I shook my head.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but these are the kinds of earrings that don't fall out. They're made simply by sticking the smaller wiring of the hoop into the bigger part holding them together. The only way it comes out is unless, you take it out or someone tears it out. And why would a woman, who valued her jewelry take an earring out and leave it on the ground?!" I slammed the bench.
"Gaaaaaah!" squawked Wright.
"Though the fabric is unusual, I don't think it proves the existence of another killer," remarked the judge. "The earring and the fact that the defendant's prints are on the murder weapon point to her as the murderer."
Wright had both hands on the bench looking frustrated.
"I think it is time to end this cross examination," said the judge banging his gavel.
With that, the detective was escorted off the stand.
"After hearing the facts of the case, I think I am ready to declare my verdict."
HOLD IT!
"Mr. Edgeworth?"
"Your Honor, I think it is a bit hasty to declare a verdict so soon, when there a few details that haven't been cleared up yet."
"But, Mr. Edgeworth. You've already established the defendant's guilt with solid evidence."
I bowed. "Thank you, Your Honor, but there are unanswered mysteries that I want solve. For example..."
I brought up the three bullets on the screen for the entire court to see.
"We discovered these bullets at the crime scene. It's unclear where they came from, as the bullets don't come from the murder weapon and no other gun was found on the scene."
The courtroom broke into loud chatter. The judge banged his gavel a few times to silence them.
"Mr. Edgeworth! What is the meaning of this? Why are there random bullets at the crime scene?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that," I said shaking my head. "But I'm certain there is a person who can."
"You mean..." began Wright.
"The defendant, I'm certain can enlighten us upon why there happen to be three bullets."
"Ah, of course," said the judge. "The defendant was there at the scene."
"Therefore, I'd like to call her to the stand...unless the defense has any objections."
"Mr. Wright, do you have any objections?" asked the judge turning to the defense's bench.
Wright didn't answer immediately, but had his hands on the bench staring off into the distance. "The defense...has no objections."
He was definitely reluctant to have her testify, and based off what I encountered yesterday I didn't blame him. But, if we were to find the truth of that night, this might be our only choice. Without further ado, the bailiff brought the defendant onto the stand from the defendant's seat. She looked just as bored and disinterested as she did yesterday.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court."
She rolled her eyes, placing a hand on her cheek. "You're a big pain in the butt, you know that? You and blue boy over there."
"I'm not blue..."
"Well, you did call her a grape earlier. You're almost a blueberry!"
"Name and occupation," I repeated.
"This could have been a simple case for you, but so be it...The name's Alina Bunke. Personal fitness coach."
"Bunke...why does that name ring a bell?" asked the judge.
"Oh, maybe cause my dead husband was John Bunke. You know, the guy who died under strange circumstances a couple of years ago in a race car 'accident'," she said tugging on her earlobe absentmindedly.
"Ah! I remember now...I presided over that case. It was certainly a strange matter. To think that his widow would be accused of murdering his rival..." he shook his head. "I suppose we'd like to hear your testimony about the night of the crime and why there are three bullets at the scene."
"Yeah, I gotcha pops. But let's make this quick, kay? I really want to get back to my cell."
Witness Testimony
-What I did the night of the crime
-So, I called Slim and told him to meet me in the park at 2AM.
-We met like I wanted to.
-We ended up fighting a little.
-That's why my earring was where it was.
-And as for the bullets, Slim had his own gun and tried shooting me.
-He missed, but I didn't.
-And that sums up what happened that night.
Ms. Bunke reached into her pocket and popped a piece of gum into her mouth. She began chewing without a care in the world, while the whole courtroom was in an uproar.
"What a cold hearted killer!"
"How can she be so calm about this?"
"How can that guy actually defend this woman?"
The judge banged his gavel a number of times.
"Order! Order! There will be order!"
"I knew this was a bad idea..." Wright sighed. "How am I supposed to defend her with testimony like that?"
Ms. Fey was slumping, sweating with an exasperated expression on her face. "It beats me...but I guess find the contradictions?"
It was moment like these that made me glad to be a prosecutor. How Wright dealt with clients like this, was a mystery to me.
The judge finally managed to calm the spectators and shook his head. "While I'm unsure of what to make of such a blatant confession as testimony...I will allow you to do a cross examination. However, if you don't find any contradictions, I am fully prepared to pass my verdict. Is that clear, Mr. Wright?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wright nodded.
"You may begin."
Cross Examination
What I did the night of the crime
-So, I called Slim and told him to meet me in the park at 2AM.
OBJECTION!
"Ms. Bunke," Wright began, looking down at a document in front of him. "I would hope that your lies wouldn't be so obvious."
"Just what are you talking about?" Ms. Bunke asked irritably still chewing.
"You didn't call Mr. Chance at all."
"Then how did he know when and where to show up? Huh?" she rolled her eyes, placing a hand on her cheek.
Wright slammed both hands down on the bench. "Mr. Chance found out through this letter!"
A green envelope with a piece of paper, appeared on the screen.
" 'We have some things to discuss. So, let's do it like men and settle everything once and for all! Meet me in expose park at 2 AM.' " Wright read aloud.
Ms. Bunke began to sweat, looking uncomfortable.
"Where did you find that?" I asked.
"We found this buried deep within a trash can on the other side of the park," Wright said stroking his chin.
"Hey!" Ms. Bunke yelled, tugging her earlobe. "What does it matter anyway? Call, wrote...the point is we agreed to meet!"
Wright shook his head. "There's a clear contradiction here."
"Where is it, Mr. Wright?" asked the judge.
"Let's look at the letter again. The line, 'so, let's do it like men' stands out, as Ms. Bunke is a woman."
"Ah! That's true," nodded the judge.
Ms. Bunke was sweat again, this time chewing her gum harder.
"You didn't write this letter did you, Ms. Bunke?"
She said nothing, but started blowing a huge pink bubble.
"Ms. Bunke!" he said slamming both hands on the bench.
The bubble popped sticking all over her face. "What?!"
"You will, answer the question," demanded the judge.
"...No, I didn't write it," she said picking the gum off her face. "I...just had someone write it for me is all!"
"Someone wrote it for you?" Wright rubbed his chin. "I don't buy that."
"Well, you can't prove anything, can you?"
"Urk..."
"Exactly!" she said recovering popping another piece of gum into her mouth. "Now, moving on..."
-We met like I wanted to.
HOLD IT!
"What exactly did you meet about?"
She yawned mouth wide open. "Not like I wanted to meet for a cup of joe. I wanted to know what he had done to John two years ago. The outcome of that case...was one that no one was happy about. I wanted to know the truth."
-We ended up fighting a little.
HOLD IT!
"Fighting how?"
"Slim wouldn't confess to anything so, I threatened to shoot him and pulled out my gun," she said.
-That's why my earring was where it was.
HOLD IT!
"So, you did physically struggle with the victim."
"Yeah, he was scared of me shooting, so he tried to take my gun away from me," she tugged her earlobe. "During that debacle, he pulled my earring out."
-And as for the bullets, Slim had his own gun and tried shooting me.
HOLD IT!
"If he saw you had a gun, why didn't he take his out immediately?"
"Slim was always an idiot," she said rolling her eyes, placing a hand on her cheek. "He never thought anything through all the way."
"Never thought anything through all the way? It sounds like you knew him well," Wright commented stroking his chin.
"Well, before anything awful had happened he and John were friends. And I guess we had been friends at one point too." Ms. Bunke, I noted, seemed a bit sad as she said that. "Anyway, after he pulled out my earring, I shoved him away. That's when he took his gun out."
-He missed, but I didn't.
HOLD IT!
"He missed three times?" Wright began to sweat as he hunched over. "How far away were you?"
"Not very far. Maybe a couple a feet apart," she tilted her head to the right as though recalling something. "It was lucky for me, because then I took my chance to attack."
"How many times did you fire the gun?"
"I only needed one shot."
-And that sums up what happened that night.
HOLD IT!
"I have to disagree. I'm certain that wasn't the only thing that happened that night."
"And why not? I told you what you needed to know."
He shook his head. "What about the bullets?"
"What about them? I told you Slim fired at me," she said chewing harder.
"Even, so the gun that fired them isn't present. What happened to it?"
"Like I told Mr. Prosecutor over there, I threw it away outside of the park."
"But why? Why wouldn't you throw out the murder weapon instead? At least with Slim's gun, you could claim self defense."
"Well, that's...because I was confused? Yeah...I was confused."
"Confused?" asked Wright.
Ms. Bunke started blowing a bubble. It grew to big size until it popped all over her face. She removed it, looking displeased. She spoke hesitantly.
"The guns looked pretty much the same so..."
"The guns were identical?"
"Yeah," she said tugging her earlobe.
"That claim can be verified. The other bullets discovered were from another .44 caliber pistol," I remarked looking at my documents.
"I guess just got rid of the wrong gun," she shrugged.
"To think all of this transpired at a park is inconceivable." The judge shook his head. "I believe I have a grasp of what happened that night. The defendant went to meet the victim with the intent to kill and was unexpectedly met with force."
"See? Pops up there, gets it."
"I believe it is time for this cross examination to come to a close-"
HOLD IT!
"Wait a minute, Your Honor! There's something else I wanted to ask!" protested Wright sweating bullets.
The judge was growing impatient. "I hope this is of importance, Mr. Wright."
"What about that piece of fabric? Where did it come from?"
Ms. Bunke shrugged. "I don't know anything about that. I didn't see anything like it before."
"But you have to know something!" he slammed on his bench. "I know someone else was in the park that night!"
"Look, the only one there was me! I killed Slim! I shot him! Me and me alone..."
"Ms. Bunke, why are you doing this? You told me you didn't do it. So why-?"
"I don't recall, ever saying that," she said pulling her earlobe.
"I believe that is enough," said the judge. "This cross examination is over."
He banged his gavel. The bailiffs returned Ms. Bunke to the defendant's seat.
"After the facts presented to the court and testimony from the defendant herself...I feel there is no need to continue trial. If there are no objections, I will hand down the verdict."
It was no good. She was suspicious and hiding things, but there wasn't anything solid to pull it out of her. I had nothing to object to nor anything more to present. Wright had buried his head in his arms. Ms. Fey was frowning. Was there nothing any of us could do?
"This court declares the defendant, Alina Bunke G-"
HOLD IT!
"W-who? Who said that?" demanded the judge.
Wright looked back up in confusion. Ms. Fey's eyes widened. It hadn't come from the defense. I looked around the courtroom, trying to identify where the voice came from.
"Er, it was me, Your Highness."
Without warning a disheveled and dirty man had made his way down to the witness stand from the gallery. He looked to be about 50, wearing a baseball cap that covered up his wild white mane. He had a white beard, and was wearing a large coat and torn up jeans with some flip flops.
"What is the meaning of this? Why have you interrupted my verdict?"
"Eh, I've been listenin' to the trial. And well, what that lady's been saying...it's all a big fat lie, eh? I was thinkin' bout it, but," he started scratching his arm. "She said there was only two people at the park, but it ain't true!"
The courtroom erupted in noise.
"What's going on?"
"This bum saw the crime?"
"He looks smelly!"
"W-wait, you're saying someone else was there?!" Wright slammed both hands on the bench.
"Cross me heart and hope to die! I swear to it! I was in the park that night and I saw another person there..."
"Why did you not inform the police?" I inquired in mild irritation.
"I thought maybe I had just been seeing things, maybe it was just a bad dream...but in the park that night, I'm tellin' ya, there was three people up by that fountain! "
Suddenly, Ms. Bunke ran back up to the stand shoving the man off looking desperate. "No, it's not true!"
"Ms. Bunke!"
"It's not true! This guy doesn't know what he's talking about! He's full of hot air and-"
"The defendant will return to her seat or will be held in contempt of court!"
"That man is lying! He doesn't know what he's talking about ! It was only me and Slim! I killed him-"
"Bailiffs! Remove the defendant from the courtroom now."
With some struggle, two bailiffs forced her off the stand and exited the room, into the defense's lobby and assumably to the detention center. The old man, returned to stand.
The judge shook his head. "I don't know what to make of this. A new witness claiming to have seen a third person at the crime scene..."
Wright decided to advantage of the confusion in the courtroom and use it to his benefit.
"Your Honor, in light of this new development, the defense would like to request a recess...this man says he witnessed a third party at the crime scene and that claim should be investigated."
"The prosecution agrees. The police need to question this man and if he is to testify, I will need adequate time to assist in preparing testimony."
The judge closed his eyes thinking for a minute. The then sighed. "Very well, I'll declare a recess for today. Court is adjourned."
With a forceful bang, the judge brought the gavel down. We had just barely scraped by. If not for that man, this case would be as good as over. I watched as the judge stepped down from his seat and retreated to the judge's chamber. The crowds were lively, filling the room with so much noise that I could barely hear myself think. Bailiffs had escorted the new witness out of the room. The defense had exited quickly, probably to check on Ms. Bunke considering her hasty ejection. I left the court with my destination already decided. That man needed to be questioned, and the next logical step would be seeing what he knew. Therefore, it only made sense to head over to Criminal Affairs.
Evidence:
Prosecutor's badge: One of my possessions. Proof of my profession. However, I prefer to keep it in my pocket.
Crime scene photos: Victim found shot dead in park fountain. Most likely the cause of death.
Autopsy Report: Estimated time of between 2AM to 3AM from bullet wound to the heart. Died within ten minutes of the shot.
Gun: The murder weapon. Two shots fired. One bullet is lodged in the victim's heart. The other is nowhere to be found.
Fingerprints: Prints on gun match Alina Bunke's.
Bullets: Found a few feet away from the fountain. Fired from a different gun.
Earring: Found in the grass in front of the fountain, belongs to Alina Bunke.
Torn fabric: Victim was clutching this in his hand.
Letter: Note telling the victim when and where to arrive for a meeting.
Profiles:
Detective Gumshoe: Age 33. Detective I've grown accustomed to working with.
Lyn Doom: Age 24. My protege of sorts.
Phoenix Wright: Age 26. Defense attorney I've faced in court on a few occasions.
Maya Fey: Age 19. Normally seen with Wright. A very energetic girl.
Slim Chance: Deceased. A race car driver who once held some renown.
Alina Bunke: Age 37. Suspect. Confessed to the murder.