Friday morning
''I am nervous.'' Santana whispers wringing her hands as she walks into the courthouse with Marley, Marley turns to her smiling reassuringly and reaches out squeezing her shoulder.
''You don't have to be Santana, everything will be alright.''
''When will they come?'' Santana asks worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, Marley stops a bit down from the room they have to be and softly pushes Santana down on a chair.
''Mercedes called me before we left the hotel that they are on their way, they will be here soon Santana.''
Santana nods her head picking her nails and looks down at her hands and closes her eyes trying to calm herself down. I hope Marley is right. She thinks to herself hearing Marley sit down next to her.
''You fucking bitch!'' Her eyes snap open as she hears Dani's voice down the hall and gulps slowly turning her head, she sucks in her lips as she sees Dani and her parents standing a few feet away from her and takes a deep breath forcing herself to look away as she sees the twin rage glares on her parents faces.
'' Listen to me when I am talking to you, you worthless whore!'' Dani screams in rage pulling against her handcuffs in rage, Marley places her hand on Santana's arm and squeezes it softly.
''Ignore her Santana, she is just trying to scare you.''
''Well it's working.'' Santana breaths out squeezing her eyes shut tight against the flashbacks entering her mind, Marley sighs sadly turning her head to look at the trio and watches four officers trying to push them into the room to avoid anymore commotion.
''No let me go to that bitch! She just needs to see who is in charge and how fucking worthless she is!'' Dani screams at the top of her lungs struggling against the cop holding onto her, Santana pulls her legs up to her chest and buries her face in her legs.
Please be here soon Britt. She wishes softly trying to drone out Dani's screams.
''Shit Santana duck.'' Marley murmurs in shock as Dani manages to wrangle herself free, she quickly jumps up trying to shield her client from any harm as she sees two cops running after the blue haired girl and shakes her head. ''Don't get yourself into more trouble Miss Taylor.''
''Fuck off!'' Dani growls shoulder checking her, Marley bites back a grunt closing her eyes to brace herself for the fall as she stumbles over her bag and slowly opens them as it never comes.
''You okay?'' Puck asks keeping a hold around her waist, Marley nods her head turning to look at Santana and bites back a smile as she sees her standing behind Brittany holding onto the formal army jacket Brittany wears.
''Get lost Dani.'' Brittany growls out reaching behind her to grab Santana's hand knowing she is scared, Dani glares up at her as the two cops grab her again and shakes her head.
''This isn't over!''
''Well it will be soon.'' Brittany replies sneering, she keeps her glare steady until Dani disappears into the room and turns on her heels pulling Santana in a hug. ''It's okay San.'' She murmurs softly feeling her tremble in her arms.
Marley straightens up as she sees Santana relax in Brittany's arms and runs a hand through her hair grumbling. ''I told them to get them into the room before we would arrive.''
''I will tell them they fucked up as soon as I see them.'' Kevin says shrugging, Puck's let's go of Marley smiling as he sees Santana still standing in his best friends protective arms and sighs.
''I think we will all be happy as soon as this shit is over.''
''Amen to that.'' Mercedes says the teens nodding their heads in agreement, Marley hums softly and looks over her shoulder seeing the doors open again and the bailiff look out calling them into the room.
''It's show time.''
Brittany nods her head adjusting her jacket and slowly pulls back cupping Santana's cheek as their friends walk to the room to take their seats, she slowly pulls her head up sighing sadly as she sees the fear in her eyes and smiles reassuringly. ''Everything will be alright San, we will be all in there with you.''
Santana bites her lip slowly nodding her head and gulps, Brittany smiles slightly leaning down and quickly kisses her cheek. ''See you inside sweetie.''
Santana swallows thickly as she watches Brittany turn on her heels walking into the room and turns to Marley. ''Please don't leave my side.'' She murmurs softly, Marley shakes her head grabbing her bag and leads her over to the room making sure she walks on her right side so the glares from the defendants don't reach her.
''None of us will leave your side or the room Santana.'' She murmurs softly pulling both of their chairs out, she places her bag down nodding her head at her boss already seated at the table on Santana's right side and looks up as the bailiff clears his throat.
''All rise for judge Garcia.''
She quickly stands up feeling Santana stand near her trembling and watches the judge walk in, judge Garcia sits down looking around the courtroom and clears his throat. '' Good morning ladies and gentleman, calling the case of miss Santana Lopez against Dani Taylor and Mario and Maribel Lopez are both sides ready?''
''Ready your honor.'' Marley and Dani's dad both reply in unison, Marley sits down reassuringly squeezing Santana's leg as the bailiff swears in the jury and takes a sip of her water knowing she can't calm Santana down.
The bailiff turns to Marley and nods his head. ''Ready for your opening miss Rose?''
Marley nods her head standing up and walks over to the jury, she turns to look at them and folds her hands in front of her. ''Your honor and ladies and gentleman of the jury, the defendants have been charged with domestic assault and battery of a minor both physical and emotional Miss Taylor is also charged for sexual assault. The evidence will show that Miss Lopez endured three years of assault last happening Wednesday the 12th in the afternoon, the defendants voices are clearly heard on voice recordings the plaintiff took that day. The evidence I present will prove you that the defendants are as guilty as charged.''
Marley walks back to her seat as Simon walks past her and sits down, she places her hands on the table after shooting Santana a reassuringly smile and sighs softly as she hears his bullshit story.
''Under the law my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty, during this trial you will hear no real evidence against my clients. You will come to know the truth that Miss Lopez made this all up to get away from my clients because she didn't agree with the rules they set up for her so she can raise her daughter correctly.''
Marley jumps up and bites back a growl. ''Objection calls for speculation your honor!''
''Sustained, Mr Taylor refrain from speculating.'' Judge Garcia says looking at the defendants lawyer.
Marley sits back down after exchanging a glance with her boss and slowly nods her head silently telling him that this case will be difficult if it's already starting like this, she turns to Santana as Mr Taylor continues his opening and leans in close acting like she is showing her something on the piece of paper laying in front of them. ''Santana whatever happens, please answer honestly I will call in for objections whenever he goes to far okay?''
Santana slowly nods her head and gulps. ''I will.''
''The prosecution may call the first witness.'' Judge Garcia says as soon as Mr Taylor ends his opening, Marley stands up and looks at the judge.
''Your honor I call my first witness, Dr Anderson.''
She watches Dr Anderson walk in through the side door knowing her boss send the witnesses out one by one and stands up after the bailiff made him swear, she walks over to him folding her hands together behind her back and smiles kindly as he locks eyes with her. ''Dr Anderson could you state your relationship to the plaintiff?''
Dr Anderson nods his head and smiles. ''Miss Lopez was my patient and I treated her injuries.''
''What day exactly?''
''Wednesday the 12th I received a call from officer McHale if I had time for a house visit, I normally don't do that but officer McHale told me that it's an exception and that the patient refuses to go to the hospital because she was scared something could happen to her daughter.''
''What was your first impression of miss Lopez?'' Marley asks.
''That she was very, very scared and jumped at ever loud noise, she wouldn't let me treat her unless her friend was in the room and the officer was around his back facing her.''
''How bad were her injuries?''
''They were quite bad, several bruised ribs, bad bruising around her throat and overall her whole body was covered in bruises even an imprint of a shoe in her stomach.''
''You took pictures of her injuries that day right?''
Dr Anderson nods his head and forces a smile. ''Yes that is correct but she didn't let me take them, her friend who also have experience in the medic field took them with my camera.''
''Why didn't she let you take them?'' Marley asks curiously knowing the answer but also knowing that it will give the jury an insight of just how scared Santana feels.
''Miss Lopez endured years of assault and she doesn't trust easily, I was or still am a stranger to her so she didn't feel comfortable with me hovering over her to take pictures.''
''Okay one last question, if miss Lopez continued living the way she had to would she have survived it?''
Dr Anderson immediately shakes his head and frowns. ''No it surprised me that she managed to walk around like she did and carried her daughter without a problem, normally bruised ribs are not something you can ignore easily and the throbbing will only become worse if it isn't treated correctly.''
Marley nods her head and shoots him a small smile. ''That's all, your honor.''
Judge Garcia nods his head and turns to the defendants lawyer. ''Does the defense have any questions?''
''Only one your honor.'' Mr Taylor says as he stands up, he walks over to the witness tilting his head and points at his clients.
''Dr Anderson, did miss Lopez tell you that my clients are the ones who did it?''
''No she didn't, officer McHale was at the apartment too and she talked to him.''
''That's all your honor.'' Marley frowns exchanging a glance with her boss and hums.
''What is he aiming at?'' She asks softly, her boss shrugs his shoulders and sighs.
''I have no idea Marley but stay alert.''
''You are excused Dr Anderson.'' judge Garcia says waiting for him to leave the stands, he turns to Marley as soon as he sat back down and nods his head. ''Prosecutor can call in the next witness.''
Marley stands back up and exhales softly. ''Your honor I call, officer Kevin McHale in the stands.''
She smiles inwardly as she sees Kevin's confident stride as he walks over to the stands proudly wearing his uniform and walks over to him as soon as the bailiff talked to him, she locks eyes with Kevin and smiles kindly.
''Officer McHale could you please stand your relationship to the plaintiff?''
Kevin clears his throat glancing at Santana and nods his head. ''I had a few bumps in with miss Lopez along the years, every time I either drove her to the hospital or home because of her injuries. Three weeks ago I was send to the park because of a possible assault and saw miss Lopez again, she claimed to be assaulted by Miss Taylor and we arrested Ms Taylor on scene and not even two weeks later on Wednesday the 12th I got a call that urgent medic was needed at an apartment downtown and once again Miss Lopez was the victim.''
''Possible assault?'' Marley questions, Kevin nods his head and sighs.
''Yes possible assault, even though we had a witness who prevented the worst Miss Lopez didn't press charges because she was concerned about her daughters well being.''
''Did you have to let Ms Taylor go right after because miss Lopez didn't press charges?''
''No Ms Taylor spend two nights in the precinct prison because the witness gave us a statement, seeing the fear in Ms Lopez's eyes and the way her daughter clung to her and to the witness who found the little girl walking around the park alone in the late afternoon was enough proof for us that something did indeed happen.''
''Okay forward to Wednesday the 12th, can you tell us what happened?''
''I got called to an apartment downtown and got told that a medic was needed too because the victim was refusing a treatment at the hospital, when I arrived at the apartment I immediately saw miss Lopez laying in bed battered and eyes filled with fear because she was afraid that something would happen to her daughter now that the police arrived and I wanted to take her statement.''
''How did you calm her down?'' Marley asks curiously, Kevin sighs softly glancing at Santana and fold his hands on the small table in front of him.
''I didn't but Miss Pierce the owner of the apartment did, as long as she was around Miss Lopez was calm enough to make her statement and even showed me the r-recordings she made that night.''
Marley nods her head turning to the jury and sighs. ''Ladies and gentleman of the jury, we will play the recording for you to hear so you can hear yourself why officer McHale stuttered.''
She bites her lip as the recording fills the room hearing soft gasps coming from the benches behind Santana and looks over at her, she smiles sadly as she sees her sitting with her head down trembling in her seat and exchanges a glance with her boss slowly nodding her head as he mouths. 'We have to.'
She turns to Kevin as soon as the recording ends and sighs softly. ''Officer McHale, you also took pictures of Miss Lopez her injuries and set up a file.'' She mentions her hand to the screen beside her showing the injuries Santana had that night and licks her lips forcing herself to stay professional as she hears a new wave of gasps coming from the benches. ''What did you do after taking Miss Lopez her statement?''
''I updated the files and also added pictures of earlier bruises but I didn't arrest the offenders yet because Ms Lopez was afraid of her daughters well being, she wanted to find a lawyer who would represent her first before pressing charges which is quite understandable because one of the offenders is a lawyer himself.''
''Where did Miss Lopez stay the whole time during the search for a lawyer and the beginning of this trial?'' Marley asks knowing the judge would like to hear it.
''Ms Lopez was staying with Ms Pierce because she felt save there, normally a minor is send home but seeing her house wasn't safe for Ms Lopez and her daughter I gave her the permission to stay with Ms Pierce to avoid the chance of her getting assaulted again.''
Marley nods her head and smiles. ''Thank you officer McHale.'' She turns to the judge and sighs. ''That's all your honor.''
Judge Garcia nods his head and turns to the defendant. ''Does the defense have any questions?''
''Yes I have your honor.'' Mr Taylor stays as he stands up, he walks over to Kevin and intertwines his hands behind his back.
''Officer McHale, you arrested my clients based on a recording made with a phone as far as I know that is not permitted because recordings could be easily be staged why did you accept that as a statement and took it as evidence?''
''With all due respect Mr Taylor but a recording made with a phone is permitted, it only has to be confirmed that it is indeed recorded with said phone and not send over from another phone.''
''And how did you confirm that?'' Mr Taylor asks raising an eyebrow thinking that he didn't take the phone in for examination.
''My colleagues and I took the phone to the station and our examiner Mrs Sizes confirmed that the recording was indeed made with that phone.'' Kevin states slowly smirking inwardly as he sees the barely covered shock on Mr Taylor's face. That's right fucker, you are about to lose this shit. He thinks hiding his triumphant smirk.
''Did Mrs Sizes add everything she examined to the case file?'' Mr Taylor asks, Kevin nods his head mentioning his hand to his colleague walking up to Judge Garcia and smiles kindly.
''She did, after we arrested the offenders we also searched their houses and made prints of all shoes around.'' He says, he turns to judge Garcia as he places the mentioned case file under the projector so everyone can take a look and sighs. ''We found the pair of shoes matching the bruise on Miss Lopez body in Miss Taylor's house, a pair of size 8 low top vans owned by Miss Taylor herself which got stated by her mother Mrs Taylor.''
Judge Garcia nods his head seeing all color drain from Mr Taylor's face and turns to him. ''Any more questions defendant?''
Marley hides her smirk as she sees him slowly shaking his head and squeezes Santana's leg under the table. ''We got this Santana.'' She murmurs softly.
''You are excused officer McHale.'' He turns to Marley as soon as Kevin leaves the stands and clears his throat. ''Prosecutor you may call in the next witness.''
Marley stands up smirking inwardly knowing the next will seal the deal and clears her throat. ''I call Specialist Pierce in the stands, your honor.''
She watches Brittany strut over to the stands oozing even more confidence as Kevin did and smiles inwardly as she states her name with pride and she stands up as soon as the bailiff nodded his head and walks over to Brittany standing in front of her.
''Specialist Pierce, could you please state your relationship to the plaintiff?''
''Miss Lopez is my little sisters best friend, we became friends due to her hanging out with my little sister and after I started tutoring Arts at the McKinley high school here in Lima Ohio.''
Marley nods her head and locks eyes with Brittany. ''Before I continue asking about Miss Lopez, could you state your duty at the army for us?''
Brittany hums taking a sip of her water and sighs. ''My job as a specialist was leading my own team making sure they all obeyed and I was a part of the medical team part psychology because many soldiers suffered from depression and anxiety which is quite normal during the circumstances we all had to adjust to.''
''Thank you.'' Marley states with a kind smile keeping up her professional act even though she befriended the whole group during the past two weeks, she intertwines her hands behind her back and tilts her head. ''What was your first impression of Miss Lopez?''