Chapter 2—Family

May 3, 2017

"All rise for the Honorable Mrs. Justice Denning, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire," the clerk called out as the judge entered the courtroom. It was the first time Miles had stood in court since Lana's case. The layout was slightly different, but like the American court system, the British system had also undergone some changes in the past decade. To start, the prosecution and defense benches sat side by side, facing the judge. The judge was a woman looking to be in her fifties. Rather than the usual black robe the San Diego judges wore, this judge wore a red robe and tippet and a black scarf. She was also wearing a short bench wig.

The defense team consisted of a grey-haired man looking to be around the judge's age and wearing a pure black suit. He was advising the actual defense attorney, a man around Wright's age with long blond hair tied back in a ponytail and wearing a bright blue suit and glasses.

"You may be seated," the judge said as she took her seat. "Court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Michael Monroe."

"The prosecution is ready, My Lady," Miles said, standing.

"The defense is ready, My Lady," the defense attorney said, also standing.

"I understand you are both new to the court system," the judge commented. "I am Dame Martha Denning."

"Miles Edgeworth, My Lady," Miles said. "Until recently, I was a prosecutor in the United States."

"Kristoph Gavin, My Lady," the defense said. "I've been in training for a while and have chosen this to be my first case."

"I see," the judge said. "Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement?"

"Of course," Miles said. "No two emotions are stronger than love and anger. When the two are brought together in a single person, the results are often deadly. Such was the fate of our victim, Mrs. Jessica Monroe. Her husband, overwhelmed by the shock of seeing the woman he loved in the arms of another man, reportedly struck her with his cane, killing her. Whether or not it was with murder in mind that he did so… shall be determined today in court."

"I see. What plea does the defense wish to enter?"

"The defense pleads not guilty," Gavin said.

"Very well. Mr. Edgeworth, you may call your first witness."

"The prosecution calls the detective in charge of the investigation, Detective Otis White, to the stand." The detective took the stand. "Detective, before the trial can begin in earnest, we must understand the basic facts of the case."

"Understood, sir," the detective said. "After receiving a call from a witness, the police arrived at the scene of the crime and found the victim dead. The suspect, her husband, was in their room. He didn't put up any fight when we arrested him. The cause of death is not known with 100 certainty, but the Department believes the victim died when her neck was broken by a blow from her husband's cane. Coupled with the witness's statements, we are convinced that the victim was killed by her husband."

The detective stopped speaking.

"Detective?" the judge called.

"Yes, My Lady?" he replied.

"Why did you stop?"

"Because we only need the facts and the Department's conclusion," Miles said. "Questions about motive will be answered as the trial progresses."

"I… see… Very well, Mr. Gavin, you may cross-examine the detective."

"Yes, My Lady," Gavin said. "Detective, you said the suspect didn't put up a fight. Why was that?"

"We can't say for certain, but he was probably in shock."

"In shock?"

"Well, he had just killed his wife, and considering the circumstances, it probably wasn't premeditated."

"Do you have any proof that he was in shock?"

"Objection!" Miles shouted. "Mr. Gavin, the reason why the defendant was there is only important if you can come up with some other reason and substantiate your claim with proof. So, let me ask you: why was he in his room, if not because he was in shock?"

"Hm… perhaps someone threatened him?"

"'Perhaps?' Do you have any proof of this?"

Gavin was silent, trying to think. "No, I don't," he said after a moment.

"I didn't think so. Detective, please continue."

"The cause of death is not known with 100 certainty, but the Department believes the victim died when her neck was broken by a blow from her husband's cane."

"Hold it!" Gavin cut in. "A cane? And has the defendant sustained any sort of injury as a result?"

"Huh?"

"If he lifted his cane and stood only on his two legs, did he hurt himself?"

"No. The cane's mostly for show. It's been found that the defendant is perfectly capable of standing and fighting without the support of a cane."

Gavin placed his right hand on the bridge of his glasses, a tad annoyed at having hit a dead end.

"Anyway," the detective continued, "coupled with the witness's statements, we are convinced that the victim was killed by her husband."

"Any further questions for this witness, Mr. Gavin?" Miles asked.

"No," Gavin replied.

"Good. Detective, you may step down. The prosecution now calls the man who witnessed the crime, Mr. Daniel Watson, to the stand."

A man around the defendant's age took the stand.

"Witness, please state your name and occupation," Miles requested.

"Daniel Watson," the witness replied, "waiter at Greenie's Pub."

"Good. You witnessed the crime, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Please testify about what happened, then," the judge said.

"All right. Jessie and I had returned from an outing and wanted to enjoy a few good moments before her husband got home. We started making out, but we got carried away and lost track of the time. We heard Mike open the door and tried to avoid looking suspicious, but he didn't buy it. After a brief debate, me and Jessie trying to convince Mike we weren't doing anything he didn't want, he started swinging his cane around. He managed to hit Jessie in the neck. She fell down and didn't get up. He also started beating me. I ran out and called the police."

Miles took out the autopsy report. "My Lady, the witness's statements follow what the autopsy report said. Some of his saliva was found in the victim's mouth. In addition, death was from a broken neck. Sadly, we have no decisive proof that the cane was what killed her."

"The court accepts the report into evidence," the judge said. "Mr. Gavin, your cross-examination."

"So, would you say the motive came from your luring the victim away from her husband?" Gavin asked.

"Yes," Watson responded.

"So, essentially, this murder happened because you came in—"

"Objection!" Miles interrupted. "Mr. Gavin, if you think you can transfer guilt through the witness's role in an affair, then I suggest you transfer yourself to a different occupation. Responsibility for the motive does not make the witness a killer. By your logic, one could also argue that it was a suicide."

"Objection sustained," the judge said. "Mr. Gavin, you will refrain from slandering the witness."

"Yes, My Lady," Gavin said. He looked back at the witness. "Do you know what tipped off my client?"

"I don't know," Watson said. "Perhaps our faces were a little red? I really have no idea. We were making out pretty passionately, so I'm sure something about our appearance tipped him off."

"I see… You claim my client also beat you?"

"Yes. He managed to hit me a few times on my back as I fled."

"Weren't you worried about Mrs. Monroe?"

"Of course I was. But… I was also worried about myself. As far as I could tell, she had been knocked out by that cane. I wasn't about to let myself get knocked out, too."

"And you think my client did this because of the affair?"

"Yes."

"Somehow, I find it odd that my client would start lashing out after seeing his wife cheating on him. Are you sure he attacked you because of the affair?"

"Objection!" Miles yelled. "My Lady, this is unnecessary badgering of the witness! The defense has shown no evidence to support their reasoning!"

"Objection sustained," the judge said. "Mr. Gavin, please refrain from badgering the witness."

"Sorry, My Lady," Gavin said. "Hm… So, you say my client started swinging his cane around?"

"Yes," Watson said.

"Did he hit anything besides you and the victim?"

"Yes. He hit one of the speakers on the computer in the room."

"I see."

"Well?" Miles asked. "Is that important?"

"Yes. You see, what if the speaker was sent flying by the cane, and that's what killed the victim?"

"That would only work if you were pleading manslaughter. In addition, the speaker was not the right shape to produce the wound found on the victim."

"Hmm…"

"I think that's enough," the judge said. "It's clear that there are no contradictions in what this witness has said. Mr. Gavin, any final statements or evidence?"

"Gavin," Gavin's associate said. "There are still areas that need examining."

"My Lady, I would like to continue the cross-examination," Gavin said.

"Overruled," the judge replied. "There are no contradictions. Further questioning would simply be a waste of this court's time."

"Objection!" Miles shouted. "There is still room for doubt, My Lady."

"What do you mean?"

"Mr. Gavin, if you are done with this witness, I would like to call the next witness."

"The next witness?" Gavin asked.

"The defendant," Miles replied, "assuming you are all right with that."

"Hmm…"

"Well, Mr. Gavin?" the judge asked.

"The defense agrees to the proposal. My client will take the stand."

"Very well." The judge banged her gavel. "This concludes the cross-examination of Mr. Daniel Watson."

Watson stepped down from the stand as the bailiff escorted Monroe to the stand.

"Please state your name and occupation for the court," Miles requested.

"Michael Monroe," the defendant replied, "but everyone calls me Mike. As for my occupation, I'm a desk clerk."

"Mr. Edgeworth, what do you want the defendant to testify about?" the judge asked.

"Mr. Monroe," Miles said, "I would like you to testify about the crime that Mr. Watson claims to have witnessed."

The gallery started up, silenced by the judge's gavel.

"Mr. Monroe, begin your testimony," the judge said.

Monroe sighed and closed his eyes. He seemed to jerk a little. "I… I'm guilty," he said. "When I saw Jessica with Daniel, I instantly suspected something. When they lied to me, I… I lost my mind. I was so furious that I just swung my cane around at both of them. But… you have to believe me… I'd never kill Jessica on purpose… Yes, I was angry with her, but I still loved her… I hit her in the neck, and she died. I thought she had only fainted, but as more time passed, I started to think she was dead… I couldn't just leave like that… I thought maybe she was still alive… I… I just feel so horrible… Do what you want with me; I killed her… my wife… the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with…"

The gallery, which had began murmuring the instant Monroe said he was guilty, was now quite noisy. The judge banged her gavel.

"Order!" she shouted. "Mr. Monroe, is this a confession?"

"Yes, My Lady," he replied.

"My Lady!" Gavin called. "The defense would like to change its plea!"

"To what?" the judge asked.

"The defense pleads 'voluntary manslaughter.' We believe that though Mr. Monroe may indeed have killed his wife, he did not do it out of any criminal malice towards her."

"I see. Let the records show that the defense has changed its plea to voluntary manslaughter. You may begin your cross-examination, Mr. Gavin."

"So, what made you 'suspect something?'" Gavin asked the defendant.

"Whenever Daniel's over, I'm told about it beforehand," Monroe replied. "That was my first hint."

"I see. Isn't it possible that there was nothing suspicious going on, then?"

"That's what I had considered, so I confronted them. Their faces were both red, not to mention Daniel's hair was a mess, as was Jessica's. Not to mention… Jessica's blouse was a little sweaty, and part of it was unbuttoned. Their lies were also easy to see through…"

"And that caused you to lose your mind?"

"In a sense, yes. I really think I had been driven mad by what I saw. We've argued in the past, but the thought of hurting Jessica never even grazed my mind. I'd never hurt her…"

Everything he says makes sense. If he really did love her that much, I doubt he'd hurt her, let alone with a cane. I know that I'd never hurt Lana—even if I were to learn she cheated on me.

"So," Miles commented, "it appears the issue at hand is now this: did the defendant kill his wife intentionally, or was it in the heat of passion?"

"I'd never hurt her…" Monroe whimpered. "She meant the world to me…"

"My Lady, the prosecution would like to summon a witness who can establish with almost complete certainty whether this crime was murder or manslaughter."

"I see," the judge said. "This court will take a fifteen minute recess. After the recess, we will hear from the prosecution's witness. Court is adjourned for recess!" She banged her gavel.

Miles entered the Prosecution Lobby and saw Ema sitting in one of the chairs with the coroner.

"Ema?" he called. "How did you end up here?"

Ema looked up from the book she was reading and jumped out of her seat when she saw Miles. She ran up and hugged him tightly.

"It really is you!" she cried. "I was so worried!"

Miles couldn't think of anything to say. He decided instead to simply give Ema a small familial hug. It then occurred to him what to say.

"Sorry I made you worry. I had no idea you would be here in England."

"What about Lana?"

"What about her?"

"She told me you still loved her."

"I do." Miles reached into his coat pocket and took out the ring. Ema gasped in excitement. "When I feel I'm on the right path again, I intend to marry your sister. I believe that she and I will be very happy together. She's always there when I need her, and I'm there when she need me."

"You're really going to ask her!? That's wonderful! I'm sure she'll say yes!"

"I'm sure she will, too. One thing these past two years taught me is that Lana and I are deeply devoted to each other. This is much more than a fleeting romance; our love will last."

"Congratulations, then," a voice said from the door. Miles turned his head in the direction of the voice and saw Gavin standing there. "Do you mind if I have a word with you?"

"Be my guest," Miles said.

"Thank you." Gavin walked closer to Miles. "You knew all along that it was voluntary manslaughter, didn't you?"

"I suspected," Miles said. "There was no decisive proof, so I believed the only way to find out was to hear from the defendant himself. …I suppose I can sympathize with him. From the sound of his testimony, it seems as though he really didn't harbor any intent to kill."

"Agreed."

"All that remains is to establish whether or not he was telling the truth."

"Someone who spoke that passionately cannot possibly be lying."

"Mr. Gavin, I've met people who can tell very clever lies and mask them behind strong emotions or an innocent face. It is by all means possible to feign such emotions. However, as luck would have it, there is a witness who can easily establish the truth."

"Who?"

"The defendant's psychiatrist. I believe he can be considered a credible source as far as the defendant's motive goes." He paused. "In all honesty, I think it unlikely that this was truly a murder. All that remains is to prove it."

The judge banged her gavel to call court back into session.

"Court is in session," she said. "Mr. Edgeworth, please call the next witness."

"The prosecution calls to the stand someone who we believe can establish whether or not the defendant killed his wife out of criminal malice," Miles said. "Dr. Peter Kohler, please assume the stand."

An elderly man looking well into his seventies took the stand.

"Witness, please state your name and occupation."

"Peter Kohler, psychiatrist," the witness replied.

"Very well," the judge said. "Dr. Kohler, please testify to the court as to whether or not you believe the defendant held any criminal malice toward the victim and why."

"There's no question that Mr. Monroe loved his wife dearly. I was actually invited to their wedding three years ago; their marriage was a very happy one, so I'm shocked that Mrs. Monroe saw fit to cheat on her husband. However, I know Mr. Monroe would never wish any harm upon his wife. They argued a few times, but they always worked things out, and things never got even close to becoming violent. I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Monroe flew into a rage; he would never in the right mind do anything to hurt his wife—this I can say with complete certainty."

"Hm… I see. Mr. Gavin, your cross-examination."

"Dr. Kohler," Gavin started, "you said their marriage was a happy one. What do you mean by that?"

"They were very devoted to each other," Kohler said, "and they always managed to work out their differences without hurting their marriage."

"So why did the affair start?"

"My guess is that Mrs. Monroe simply fell in love with a second man. She still loved her husband, too, as far as I could tell from what Mr. Monroe has told me."

"I see."

The judge banged her gavel. "This case is becoming very clear to me," she stated, "and I feel ready to render a verdict. Mr. Edgeworth, what are your thoughts?"

"I believe that the defendant by all means regrets what he did. Murder or manslaughter, the knowledge that he is responsible for his wife's death is punishment enough. However, the law is still the law, and it is my hope that he will learn to move on during his time in prison."

"I see. Mr. Gavin?"

"I agree with Mr. Edgeworth completely, My Lady. No psychological torture is more severe than that which my client is undergoing right now—a mock execution would feel like a sample of Heaven to him. Also, the evidence and testimony presented in court make it clear that he had no intent to kill his beloved wife. Therefore, I believe a verdict of voluntary manslaughter is in order."

"Hmm… Very well. It appears we have reached a consensus. This court finds the defendant, Mr. Michael Monroe, guilty of voluntary manslaughter. I hereby sentence Mr. Monroe to five years in prison under either Category C or D, as is to be designated upon his entrance into prison. Court is adjourned." She banged her gavel.

Ema was waiting in the Prosecution Lobby, as was the coroner.

"How'd the trial go?" she asked upon seeing Miles.

"It was voluntary manslaughter," Miles replied. "Upon realizing his wife was cheating on him, the defendant flew into a rage and struck her with his cane, accidentally killing her. He wasn't of sound mind when the crime was committed. I hope they give him access to a psychologist during his time in prison; he's no doubt facing a terrible amount of psychological torture right now."

"Oh…"

"The only thing worse than the death of a loved one is the knowledge that you're responsible. I know what it's like—it's a sample of Hell."

"Mr. Edgeworth…"

"Family and friends really are important; they can help you through these kinds of disasters." He paused. "I suppose I have the von Karmas to thank for that, at the least. And then there's you and Lana—and even Gumshoe and Wright. All of you lent me a sympathetic ear—especially Lana. I don't want to think about where I'd be were it not for everyone who's been there for me when I needed them."

"You've really changed. You just feel a lot… Um…"

"Kinder?"

Ema didn't feel like answering that.

"You don't need to worry about offending me with that statement," Miles continued. "The Demon Prosecutor is dead. There is only one direction for me to go, and that's forward. This trial is proof of that."

Ema pulled her glasses over her eyes and smiled. "Well, I'm behind you 100, Mr. Edgeworth! And I'm sure Lana is, too!"

Miles felt himself smiling. Ema had a way of cheering people up simply by being cheerful herself. "One more thing. Why are you here in England?"

"Lana asked one of her friends to keep me healthy while she was in prison."

"A friend?"

"Alice Charleston."

"The coroner?"

"Yeah! I never realized how much detail was involved in forensic science!"

"So examining victims doesn't unnerve you?"

"Um… Well… actually…" She trailed off and sort of hung her head.

"That's understandable. Crime is rarely clean. Even then, victims of clean murders rarely look clean after the autopsy."

"I'm thinking I might take on a different part of forensics."

"A wise choice. I'm sure there will be some portions of the field that you will enjoy. After all, I imagine you had some fun working with Wright."

"Of course! I loved it!"

"You might actually make a good detective, too. You have an eye for details."

"Well… Yeah, but I'd rather deal with forensics."

"Well, if you have enough ambition and enough skill, I'm sure you'll do well. To be successful, you need three things: ambition, talent, and the right opportunity. At the least, you're very ambitious. Train properly and I can guarantee you'll become a forensic scientist."

Ema smiled eagerly, which in turn made Miles smile. It was easy to see why Lana loved her sister so much. Ema was going to be a welcome member of the family; Miles could tell.