Another day and another chapter. Hope this one's enjoyable.
Disclaimer: Ace Attorney was created by Capcom
Turnabout Arcade-Trial I
Chris had returned to the law office and began reviewing his facts for tomorrow's trial. There had been tiny, subtle hints as to what could possibly have happened if Jared was not the culprit, earlier. And yet, he couldn't yet be sure if a third party was involved, at least not at the moment.
Phoenix returned just a bit later and saw his nephew going over some papers"Chris."
"Huh? Oh, hey uncle" Chris smiled for a moment as he looked up"How was your investigation?"
The older Lawyer shrugged"Its kind of going well, Maya's trial is tomorrow, so I'm going to defend her in court. And how about you?"
"I got a case earlier this afternoon, a murder had supposedly happened at a local Arcade" Chris replied"I did some investigating, and I know who the Prosecution is for this one. Heard of Prosecutor Whiteshore?"
Phoenix scratched his chin thoughtfully"Only by reputation. She was Edgeworth's Apprentice, and is known for her incredible intuition. But regardless of your or her skill in the courtroom, what's important is for you to believe in your client to the bitter end if he or she is innocent."
"I got it" Chris smiled"Well, good night." He headed back to his apartment for the night to prepare for tomorrow's Trial.
A blond young woman with blue eyes, her long hair held in a ponytail, a yellow tank top with a pink jacket and pants was at her desk in the Prosecutor's Office, going over paperwork for the trial. She occasionally thought back to the case where Chief Prosecutor Lana was arrested due to being an unwilling accomplice to the former Chief of Police, Damon Gant. Edgeworth's note that he had "chosen death" had surprised her, but she couldn't bring herself to believe it.
Detective Kenderick entered the office shortly, having returned from his investigation"Prosecutor Whiteshore, I got as much information as I could, and I thought I'd mention that the Lead Attorney on this case may be a rookie. He's a young guy called Christopher Wright, he's related to that other Lawyer, Phoenix."
"Interesting" she mussed"Well, whether I get a challenge or not, the truth is all Is bound to make itself known one way or another. And you did let him see the Autopsy Report, correct?"
"Yes" Kenderick nodded.
Priscilla stood up for her desk"At any rate, we best rest up for the trial. Detective Seeke, you certain there were no other witnesses than the boy who saw what happened to the victim?"
"Not many, actually. The Arcade's repairman might know something, though" Kenderick replied.
Priscilla nodded"All right, well, night."
Early the next day, after a light breakfast, Chris headed for the courthouse with Phoenix, the older Lawyer had his own client to defend, which is Maya in his case.
"Good luck, Chris" Phoenix addressed his nephew.
"Thanks, uncle" Chris went to the designated courtroom where the trial of Jared Clementine was going to be held. As he headed for the Defense Bench in anticipation, he caught sight of a woman who was only a couple of years older than him.
"Are you Prosecutor Whiteshore?" He asked the woman at the Prosecution bench.
The blond nodded"Indeed, and I take it you are Christopher Wright. Let me give you some advice, don't expect me to take it easy on you simply because its your first case, Detective Seeke told me about you."
"I won't have it any other way" Chris smiled, then noted the man with blond hair and a beard at the Judge's bench. He wondered if it was the same Judge who presided over Phoenix's first five cases.
The Judge spoke"Court is in session. Are the Defense and the Prosecution prepared?"
"The Prosecution is ready, your honor" Priscilla replied.
"The Defense is up and ready" Chris smiled"Your honor, if you don't mind me asking, were you the judge who presided over my uncle, Nick's cases? Phoenix Wright is my uncle's full name."
The Judge raised an eyebrow, but kept calm"Ah, so you're related to him. However, I am not the judge who presided over Mr. Phoenix Wright's cases, my elder brother was the presiding judge of those cases. But more to the point: Prosecutor Whiteshore, your opening statement, please." He had directed it at the Prosecutor.
Chris took notice of Jared who was currently standing near the Accused's desk, and he could barely make out Alicia among the people of the Gallery who were watching.
"Certainly" Priscilla nodded, going over her notes"This young man, Jared Clementine stands accused of murdering a renowned Arcade Legend, Victor Thompson. The murder weapon is not entirely clear, but I have a theory."
"I heard that you have a theory, Prosecutor" Chris interrupted"What is it?"
"Obviously, a two-pound ball cannot possibly kill anyone. Therefore, the Defendant may have put it and several heavier balls into a bag and bludgeoned the victim to death" Priscilla replied.
"Objection!" Chris stated"I don't think the arcade could've had heavier balls than that, surely the victim would've only been bruised."
Priscilla shrugged"Perhaps, but you have yet to hear more from my first witness" she then turned to the Judge"Your honor, the Prosecution submits its first witness, Detective Kenderick Seeke."
"Very well" The Judge nodded.
The Detective in question took the stand"People of the Gallery, my name is Kenderick Seeke. Yesterday, I was assigned to inspect the scene of the crime, apparently, the victim was killed at six AM."
"Hold on" Chris pulled out the Autopsy Report"No offense, but have you looked at the report yourself, Detective Kenderick? The arcade doesn't open until nine or ten on most days, and according to the report, the alleged murder occurred at three."
"Huh? Oh" Kenderick face-palmed, embarrassed"I guess I was so into looking for clues that I didn't take the time to inspect it."
"Tsk. Tsk." Priscilla shook her head, disappointed"Detective, don't give me a reason to give you a salary cut, remember to check the evidence more thoroughly, next time. I can only do so much, you know." Prosecutor Whiteshore was normally a kind person, but most of the time, she had to be firm and resolute in her line of work.
Kenderick nodded"Sorry about that, I get carried away sometimes. Anyway, back to my testimony."
'Those two are quite the duo' Chris thought, the Prosecutor was obviously trying not to look like a softy in court.
"I came across a broken screen on one of the game cabinets with traces of blood on it" Kenderick continued"And the fingerprints found on the ball that knocked the poor victim onto it was determined to be the Defendant's."
Chris was alarmed by this"Well, maybe someone planted the fingerprints onto the ball. Hey, this might be outlandish, but what if the victim died by a different weapon? That would make more sense. If so, maybe there actually was a third party."
"Don't be so hasty" Priscilla promptly stated, shaking her head for a second before saying"A Third party, eh? Without proof, what you are saying is nothing but conjecture, we'd need something more conclusive. The fact remains that the defendant, Jared was found at the scene of the crime. As it is, it makes more sense than not that he is the alleged killer in this case."
"Objection!" Chris called back"Something here just doesn't fit the facts! And was the console with the broken screen the same one that is under maintenance?"
"No, that's not possible. The game in question was unplugged, permanently" Priscilla replied"And there was very little else I could gleam from it. Which brings me to my last witness: A local teen who regularly frequents the arcade. And I won't put up with further hearsay without evidence from this point on."
"Excuse me, young lady, but I think that's my line" The Judge interjected"And I find that calling a child or a teen to testify goes against my conscious, but if you say so. First, we will take a short recess."
Alicia accompanied Chris out and met up with him at the Defendant Lobby"Chris, you really are wonderful."
"Thanks, although this case has been a tough nut to crack" Chris joked"Seriously though, I have a feeling that the next witness may be the most important one, yet. Just a hunch."
"You really think there might've been a third party? Although it does make some sense if you put it that way" Alicia asked.
Chris shrugged"Its too soon to know for sure, maybe something will come up that'll get me close to getting your brother off the hook. I heard that the manager of that Arcade was providing information to the Prosecution..."
"You think that's not the case?" Alicia asked.
Chris shrugged"Maybe, maybe not." He then stood there quietly in contemplation for the next few minutes. If Jared was not the one responsible, then maybe there had been someone else who committed the crime. What's more, if the Prosecution was receiving information, then maybe he should have a word with the Manager about it.
"Court is about to resume" A Bailiff addressed the young Attorney.
"Got it" Chris reentered the courtroom. Alicia went back to the Spectator Stands.
Priscilla stood at the Prosecution Bench, calm and confident as ever, although she had to admit that she was impressed by Chris' determination. But one way or another, landing a "guilty" verdict for the Defendant was the last thing on her mind.
Chris returned to the Defense's Bench and stood there, waiting. The Judge spoke"Court has resumed. Prosecutor Whiteshore, what of the witness?"
"He was a bit nervous, but he said he'll testify as best he can" Priscilla replied"I got his parents' permission."
The witness in question walked up to the witness stand, somewhat nervous about testifying in court.
The Judge addressed him"Your name, young man?"
"Hilary, sir. I'm a Regular Joe who frequents the arcade" Hilary replied.
The Judge nodded"Am I to understand you witnessed the scene of the crime?"
"Yeah, I think so" Hilary sweat-dropped.
"Hilary" Chris addressed him"You okay?"
Hilary glanced at Chris"Y-yeah, I think so."
Priscilla knew that the fifteen-year-old must be under pressure from having to do this, so she stated gently"Witness, whenever you're read, I expect you to tell us what you saw as best you can." She had to be gentle when it came to dealing with children and teenagers and surmised that Chris will do the same.
"Okay, miss" Hilary nodded"See, here's the thing. I was playing a go-kart racing game when I heard a loud thump, I was scared for a moment, it was almost as if a hammer hit the console. When I turned to look, there was Victor Thompson, dead. And there was this shadowy guy standing not far away."
"Hold on" Chris interrupted"Who was in the shadows?"
Hilary shrugged"I didn't get a good look, but it looked kinda like it was Jared. But maybe it wasn't... Anyway, I got scared and called for my parents, they and the manager came and saw the body. The Manager dialed 991 and the police came and arrested the guy before I could see him."
"Huh, that's ambiguous" Chris remarked"Well, Prosecutor, I don't think the Defendant can be convicted solely on Detective Kenderick and Hilary's testimonies."
"Objection!" Priscilla stated"I agree that there's nothing conclusive as of yet, but you don't have the decisive evidence required to prove the Defendant's Innocence, am I wrong?"
Chris rubbed the back of his head"True, but we can't deny that there's the possibility of a third person involved, can we?"
"Don't be so hasty" Priscilla sighed"What gives you the idea that there's another possible Suspect? Aside from the idea of a different murder weapon."
Chris pulled out his notes"Its just a hunch, really. Besides, there were a couple of broken consoles."
"Perhaps the culprit chased the victim around while trying to bludgeon him" Priscilla suggested.
Chris shook his head"I don't think so, I thought you'd know that much. And what of the arcade Manager? He's been giving you information, right?"
"Kenderick told you that, too, I assume?" Priscilla raised an eyebrow"Yes, he has. But that's irrelevant, don't you have any conclusive evidence of possible involvement from a Third Person?"
"I can think of one thing" Chris replied, explaining about the console the repairman, Crank was fixing"That means those small arcade balls were not the murder weapon."
"And nor was it possible. It seems that my theory was inaccurate" Priscilla conceded"Hilary, you may step down from the stand."
"Thanks" Hilary nodded.
Chris then took this moment to say"Your Honor, can we have your opinion?"
The Judge nodded"What we learned is just a little too vague for me to give my verdict. The Prosecution and the Defense are to conduct further investigation. Court is adjourned."
Chris took leave of the courtroom with Alicia. Priscilla had meanwhile gone to the Prosecution Office to go over her notes.
"What's next?" Alicia asked.
"I'm going back to the Arcade for more info. But first I should drop by the office" Chris replied, heading back to the Wright and Co. Law Office. Hopefully just a little more investigating will yield the information and evidence Chris needed to save Alicia's brother.
Well, that's that. I hope this chapter was enjoyable. Oh, and I gave Priscilla a unique quote that she'll use interchangeably with Objection, it was this one: Don't be so Hasty, in case you're wondering.
