February 8, 8:59 A.M. Grossberg Law Offices
Diego Armando was enjoying his 6th cup of coffee for the day when Mr. Grossberg entered the room with a slight frown on his face.
He said, "Mr. Armando, we have a new client. However, this case will not be the simple open and shut case. Would you like the details surrounding your potential client?"
Diego sighed, "Sure. Why not learn some details about this person?"
"Mr. Armando, your client is an 8-year-old girl named Andrea Helprin. She is being sued by the national government for defamation because she started handing out leaflets that stated that Misty Fey was not a fraud."
The attorney gasped, "What? Since when were children tried as adults anyway? And why is saying the truth a crime? After all, because we live in the U.S. of A, don't we have free speech rights?"
Grossberg replied, "She is being sued because the leaflet noted that the President was lobbied by Redd White to make a speech on national TV that stated that the Fey clan was not connected to the spirit world and that necromancy was totally false. Unfortunately, the President did make that speech."
Diego sighed, "So you're saying that I'm having to defend a child that is being sued by the national government because she is telling the truth?"
Grossberg replied, "Yes. If you want Mia to be your co-counsel, feel free to go ahead."
He sat down on one of the office's couches, and asked, "Kitten?"
Mia walked over and wondered, "What is it, Diego? Something bothering you?"
Diego answered, "I have to defend an 8-year-old girl that is being sued by the government for telling the truth about the Fey clan."
Mia yelled, "Oh, God! You mean, Fey clan, as in, my mother?"
The defense attorney clarified, "Yes..."
An appearance of amazement and shock became visible on Mia's face.
"I figured that scoundrel would sue a young girl to prevent the truth for surfacing! Before long, he's gonna be kissing up to us, saying that he is sorry for the lies he said in the horrid speech!"
Diego added, "So... do you want to act as co-counsel?"
She replied, "Of course! As long as I get to ride in the front seat on the way to the Detention Center and to the District Court."
February 8, 9:10 A.M. Detention Center
The protective grate opened, showing a young girl who was obviously distressed. "Please! Don't let me face prosecution! I was only telling the truth!"
Diego commented, "Well, you're not alone. I will be defending you in court. My name is Diego Armando. I am a defense attorney."
Andrea gasped, "Defense attorney? I've never had one of those!"
Mia added, "It's sorta like having a person that will prevent you from being yelled at by a teacher at school."
Andrea asked, "Will you manage to get a Not Guilty verdict for me?"
Diego answered, "It depends on the strength of the President's argument. Most likely, we will manage to win the case."
Andrea wondered, "So when do you think we will get to head off to the District Court?"
Mia sighed, "Well, I'd say about now. Then we have time to contemplate our case before this trial starts."
February 8, 9:30 A.M. District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 2
Andrea was amazed by the size of the District Court the moment she entered it. She gasped, "I bet it cost millions in order to build this place!"
Diego agreed, "I personally think that this trial will be short and sweet, just the opposite of my usual cup of coffee. Wait a minute... coffee?"
He took off to the nearest coffee machine, inserted 50 cents, and waited. It took almost 15 seconds before it was finished. Diego took the cup in his hand and walked causally back to where Mia was.
"I believe that I must take my 7th cup of coffee for today about now."
As he consumed it, Andrea remarked, "Mr. Armando, you sure drink a lot of coffee."
Diego wasn't surprised. Just as he finished the coffee, an announcement came over the intercom that directed all belligerents in the trial to enter the courtroom, so they slowly walked into the courtroom, and all the while, Andrea was shaking like a puppy coming out of its kennel for the first time.
February 8, 10:00 A.M. District Court, Courtroom No. 3
Diego, Mia, and Andrea took their seats, and looked over at the prosecutor. Diego could barely see the letters on his attorney's badge. It read: IATE DIGOXIN. He immediately became intimidated, as Iate Digoxin was a cruel, ruthless government prosecutor. He even rivaled Manfred von Karma, for he hadn't lost a case once.
Before he could think of what to do, the judge smashed the gavel. "The court is now in session for the trial of Ms. Andrea Helprin," he said.
Diego stammered, "The defense is r-ready, Y-Your Honor..."
Digoxin looked at the judge and growled, "The prosecution is prepared, Your Honor."
The judge asked, "Mr. Digoxin, may you please give your opening statement?" Digoxin delivered his points in a deep, low voice that caused the counsel benches to rumble.
"Andrea Helprin is guilty of defaming the former President of the United States. She passed out a pamphlet that alleged that the Fey clan of spirit mediums were able to perform necromancy, which is undoubtedly false."
Mia screamed, "Objection!"
"Your Honor, my mother was not a fraud! I saw her channel spirits all the time!"
Digoxin rumbled, "Overruled!"
The judge reminded him, "Mr. Digoxin, I have the final say on wether an objection is sustained or overruled."
Digoxin grumbled, "OBJECTION OVERRULED!"
The judge cowered in fear. "All right. Objection overruled."
Diego thought, "This guy is so intimidating that he can sustain and overrule objections. I am in for a serious beating by this guy!"
The judge continued, "The prosecution may call its first witness."
Digoxin bellowed, "Your Honor, I am not quite done with my opening statement. Then, I will call my first witness. As I was saying, the President was doing nothing wrong at all. The defendant was simply trying to rally sympathy for spirit mediums! And with that said, I now call my first witness. I now call Ulysses Wittenberg to the stand."
Once the witness was on the stand, Digoxin asked, "Mr. Wittenberg, please state your occupation and age."
Wittenberg said, "I am a member of the former President's Secret Service. I am 34 years old. I am testifying for the former President because he could not attend due to political reasons."
Digoxin ordered, "Mr. Wittenberg, please supply testimony to the court. Enlighten us on why Mr. Former President made that fateful speech."
Wittenberg noted, "On January 12, 2002, Redd White informed him about the DL-6 Incident and offered him 8 million dollars if he would denounce the Fey clan on national TV, which he did. Afterwards, he did not have any guilt or remorse."
Digoxin continued, "Just as I thought. He was telling the truth the whole time. Mr. Armando, Cross-Examine my witness... if you dare..."
Diego turned his head, and noticed that Mia had tears in her eyes. He asked, "Kitten? Are you all right?"
Mia answered, "Diego, they're gonna get away with it! They are saying that it was legal to defame my family and make my mother go away! You've gotta... you've just gotta bust that freak wide open!"
She began to sob heavily.
The attorney thought, "I have to Cross-Examine him... I must! Even if there is nothing wrong with his testimony, I have to try."
He bravely announced, "I will Cross-Examine the witness, Mr. Digoxin."
The prosecutor laughed, "Really? Ha! Just try and find anything wrong with his testimony!"
Wittenberg repeated, "On January 12, 2002, Redd White informed him about the DL-6 Incident and offered him 8 million dollars if he would denounce the Fey clan on national TV, which he did. Afterwards, he did not have any guilt or remorse."
Diego screamed, "Objection!"
"Mr. Wittenberg, are you sure that he didn't have any remorseful feelings afterwards?"
Wittenberg insisted, "He felt almost glad of himself to have gotten a weight off of his shoulders!"
Diego slammed his hands on the counsel bench.
"There is an article from the USA Today, dated March 15, 2010, which states that the former President felt guilt, but he never informed the public! So how could he have felt good afterward?"
Wittenberg sweated, "Well, uh... I thought that he felt proud of himself?" The jury roared loudly, and the judge banged his gavel three times. "Order! Order in the court!"
"Mr. Wittenberg, could you please give your testimony again?"
"So far, it appears that the former President was, in fact, forced to do it. But one fact that hasn't been examined so far was wether the Fey clan really could perform necromancy! If you can't prove that the Fey clan could channel spirits, you don't have a case!"
The whole court was silent for several seconds after his testimony ended. The judge even was surprised by his testimony.
Mia groaned, "Dammit! Andrea might just be guilty! Even worse, this trial could be indefinitely suspended due to lack of evidence!"
Diego grinned, "Not yet, Kitten. We still have one trick up our sleeve."
Mia looked at her boyfriend, in confusion to what they could use as evidence to bust up the solid testimony of Mr. Wittenberg.
Digoxin blared, "The defense may Cross-Examine my witness's flawless testimony at their discretion."
Wittenberg repeated, "So far, it appears that the former President was, in fact, forced to do it. But one fact that hasn't been examined so far was wether the Fey clan really could perform necromancy!"
Diego screamed, "Objection!"
"Mr. Wittenberg... you stated that there is absolutely no evidence to remotely suggest that the Fey clan has channeled spirits?"
Wittenberg yelled, "Of course, Prosecutor Coffeeguzzler!"
He slammed his hands down on the counsel bench.
"Mr. Wittenberg, if you research the DL-6 Incident, then you will find that Misty Fey channeled Gregory Edgeworth. She was told to do so by the police department. When Yanni Yogi was found Not Guilty by reason of insanity, Redd White decided to sell that information to the press, saying it was evidence that she was a fraud!"
Wittenberg exploded, "WHAT?!"
The jury roared, and the judge banged his gavel.
"Order! Order! I want order in the court!" he yelled.
Diego pointed his finger at Digoxin. "Frankly, Mr. Digoxin... that President should've been impeached! He abused his power by making a hate speech against the Fey clan, who were legal citizens of our country!"
The judge banged his gavel. "Mr. Wittenberg, you are dismissed from the stand. Also, it appears to me that the prosecution lacks the evidence it needs in order to allow this trial to continue. As a result, I have reached my verdict."
Digoxin got a look of anger and disgust on his face.
The judge said, "This court find the defendant, Ms. Andrea Helprin... Not Guilty."
Diego, Mia, and Andrea jumped into the air as confetti rained down from the ceiling. "The court is now adjourned!"
The judge banged the gavel twice.