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CROSS EXAMINATION
-The Investigation-
"I suppose I'll give you the motive first."
HOLD IT!
"I know I asked for a motive, detective, but," Julias scratched his neck, "motive isn't exactly priority."
OBJECTION!
"Whose testimony is this?" Contammis demanded. "Yours or his? Either you're an idiot or YOU are the killer!"
"Wait, WHAT?!" Julias' heart attack was true this time. "N-now that's just stupid!"
"Mr. Freedom!" The Judge squeaked. "Is this true?! Did you shoot the victim?!"
"No! The prosecution is pulling this completely out of nowhere!"
"Very well," The Judge nodded, "but you better hope I don't catch you sneaking the last cookie out of the jar while I'M around!"
(Those grand-kids are doing something to you, judge... Or is that great grand-kids?) "A-anyway, if the detective will continue his testimony..."
"The defendant was worried that the victim might start seeing too much."
"He took his position behind him in the graveyard and..."
"... shot him in shoulder from the top of a hill."
OBJECTION!
"You think that the defendant shot the victim from the top of a hill?"
"Yes."
"As in, the defendant aimed at a downward angle to shoot him?"
"Um... Maybe?"
Julias struck his desk. "Detective Bulder, that can't be possible. Not when this bloodstain left by the late Adrian Hawkfenn is considered."
"Bloodstain?" Contammis dug his nails into the bench. "Mr. Freedom, you have one chance to explain yourself. Make it valuable."
"I have already sorted out this contradiction." Julias nodded. "The bloodstain shows the silhouette of a right shoulder, while the victim was shot through the left shoulder. If the killer had aimed the murder weapon downwards, then Mr. Hawkfenn would've been shot elsewhere!"
OBJECTION!
"what's that gonna prove?" Contammis asked.
"It proves-"
"Nothing!" Contammis raised his right arm and brought it down on his bench, his arm parallel with the edge. "It proves nothing!"
OBJECTION!
"I know exactly what it proves!"
"Hrh!" Contammis scoffed. "A shameless bluff, I see!"
"He's right isn't he?" Orbis raised an eyebrow.
(Stop. Being. Right! ... But I think I do know what to say.) "Not any more, Prosecutor Contammis-"
"I know exactly what you're going to say, greenhorn!" Contammis brushed his chin again. "For the bullet to have pierced both the victim and Mr. Hawkfenn in the shoulder, the shooter would've had to aim straight on, which means he would be aiming from the bottom of the hill. That position would be here." On the map, Contammis moved the Nerio token, from the bottom of the sketch to right near the northeast exit, though still within the cemetery. "That's what you were going to say, correct?"
(How DOES he DO that?! ... Wait a sec! Did he just discredit his own argument?) "Prosecutor Contammis, a question first."
"Yes?"
"The footprints that the police found at the graveyard. They were confirmed to belong to the defendant?"
"That circle on the print..." Contammis mentioned. "The defendant has shoes with that same design. Very unique."
Julias hit his bench. "There were no other footprints found on that spot, right?"
"Yes."
"Then there is a hole in your logic!" Julias pointed. "With the killer's new location, this shoe-print is no longer relevant! And since there were no other shoe prints in that location, that lightens the defendant's suspicion!"
"Jules, I have to-" Orbis spoke up. But before he could finish...
OBJECTION!
"Suffering from memory loss, are we?" Contammis taunted. "Perhaps you'll be interested to hear the testimony of a different witness. A certain Gray Rigget managed to give us a good description of the killer as he fled the scene. That description perfectly matches the defendant!" With his left arm, Contammis pointed straight at the defense.
HOLD IT!
After abusing the bench further, Julias declared, "Then the defense demands to hear this testimony! From this witness himself!"
"With pleasure!" Contammis conceded. "But Detective Bulder, before you step down, remember that this doesn't excuse your earlier incompetence."
"I'm... Only rusty... Sort of..." Bulder tugged at his grey, actual hair.
"Very well," The Judge began, "the prosecution will call it's next witness."
"The prosecution calls Gray Rigget to the stand!" Contammis commanded.
"I was about to tell you," Orbis resumed, "Prosecutor Contammis is known for pulling the defense into a false sense of security. He pretends to agree with the defense, then doubles back and twists the knife. The nickname 'Prosecutor Hades' is a result of that deceit."
Julias stared at Orbis as if he just told him where Amelia Earhart's corpse was. "You grew up with séances happening in the other room, and you knew all that?"
"I know a few things about prosecutors." Orbis glanced out of the corner of his eye.
Moments later, Rigget was at the stand.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation." Contammis instructed.
"Gray Rigget. I'm the grave-keeper of the Harbingine Cemetery."
"Witness, how did you come to see the murder?"
"Well," Rigget started scraping his hand with his spade, "I didn't exactly see it, but I did hear the gunshot. And I saw the shooter running out of the cemetery."
"Ah, yes! That's right," Contammis nodded, "the greenhorn asked to get your description of the killer. Be sure to include this in your testimony... And, Mr. Freedom?"
"Uh, me?" Julias asked.
"You might argue that the witness might've seen someone else, considering that it was dark. However, just 30 minutes before the murder, Mr. Rigget had seen the defendant walking through the cemetery. Quite suspicious, and since then there was no need for urgency, there is hardly any reason to doubt the witness regarding this."
"Um... Yeah." (Please let there be something in Mr. Rigget's testimony!)
WITNESS TESTIMONY
-I Saw and Heard-
"That's right, I had seen Mr. Nerio just a bit before the murder."
"But the murder itself... I was watering a gravestone."
"In the middle of that, I sneezed. Same time as the gunshot."
"I looked up and plain as day, I saw Mr. Nerio runnin'."
"He was wearing the clothes he's got on right now."
"He slowed down a bit at the casino."
"That's when he threw the gun through the window."
"Then he ran off for good!"
"Hm." The Judge hummed. "He threw the gun through the window? Perhaps he should've reconsidered his escape route. After all, that was his own casino he left it in. Incriminating himself, at the least."
"Be careful what you wish for." Contammis reminded.
"He might also be referring to you." Orbis clarified.
(Wishful or not, this is how it stands. I just have to know what weapon I'll use, where to attack, and whether or not the enemy will feel it...)
CROSS EXAMINATION
-I Saw and Heard-
"That's right, I had seen Mr. Nerio just a bit before the murder."
HOLD IT!
"Are you sure it was the defendant?" Julias asked.
"Of course I'm sure!" Rigget barked. "You think I need glasses?"
"Wait um, no... I was just making sure..."
"Then do this court a favor," Contammis crossed his arms, "and keep the useless questions to yourself."
"Ahem!" Rigget rejoined. "Anyway, I did see Mr. Nerio..."
"But the murder itself... I was watering a gravestone."
HOLD IT!
"Watering... A gravestone...?" (I hesitate to ask...) "Um, why were you watering a gravestone?"
"Sorry, I meant I was watering the flowers at the gravestone."
(Yes, I remember that. Mr. Rigget plants the flowers chosen by the loved ones of whoever's grave he's discussing...)
"You plant flowers by the gravestones?" The Judge asked. "How... Compassionate of you. I might consider this cemetery myself."
(I'd be a bit concerned with what he means, but with his age, I'm not really surprised...) "Witness, please continue."
"In the middle of that, I sneezed. Same time as the gunshot."
HOLD IT!
"Sneezed? Um," Julias tugged his collar at the stupidity of the question, "why did you sneeze?"
"Sunflower." Rigget answered.
"Pardon?"
"Sunflower. I'm allergic to sunflowers."
(Sunflowers...? This guy must have very interesting springs...)
"And at the same time you sneezed," Contammis assumed, "you heard the gunshot as well?"
"Yes sir." Rigget confirmed.
"I looked up and plain as day, I saw Mr. Nerio runnin'."
"He was wearing the clothes he's got on right now."
"He slowed down a bit at the casino."
"That's when he threw the gun through the window."
HOLD IT!
"As his honor just said," Julias interrupted, "that would be very careless, considering that the defendant is the owner of that casino."
"Are you wasting time just to repeat his words, greenhorn?" Contammis asked.
"Not entirely. I AM going somewhere with this." Julias held up a document. "In Detective Bulder's testimony, he stated that the killer had assumedly walked back into the casino after shooting the victim. With this statement in mind, what was the point of throwing the gun through the window in the first place? My theory was that. The killer had run off completely, and that he had not entered the casino at all. It's possible that he had planned to-"
OBJECTION!
"Come back for the gun?" Contammis finished. "Whether the killer snuck into the casino or planned to return there makes no difference." Contammis pointed out. "The defendant was found in the casino by the time the police arrived. Besides, the witness that gave us this inference was a law enforcement officer. I doubt that his testimony would hold an ulterior motive."
"Wait..." Julias requested. "You mean Mr. Rigget wasn't the one who came up with the idea of the killer sneaking into the casino?" (And he was a police officer? Is he talking about...?)
"Prosecutor Contammis," The Judge began, "a moment if you will."
"Yes?"
"You have just revealed a new witness. Why haven't you-"
"Why did I not tell the court? Why haven't I called him to the stand?" Contammis shook his head. "Perhaps I'LL tell you his testimony: He was at the casino. He heard the gunshot, and then heard footsteps around the north side of the casino. End of story."
OBJECTION!
"All witnesses are required to testify!" Julias emphasized.
OBJECTION!
"This man had hardly witnessed anything! It's entirely possible he heard the footsteps of someone else. But now," Contammis smirked, "all that matters now is the testimony of Gray Rigget. Not to mention that we have nearly exhausted his testimony. I believe it is now time for the verdict. Do you agree, your honor?"
"Yes," The Judge agreed, "I believe that we have reached our verdict."
(What?! No! Bring this witness in! We have to! What in the world do I do?!)
... ... ...
HOLD IT!
The court looked around for the owner of the voice.
"Are you sure about this, judge?" Orbis doubted.
"How else could it be?" Contammis asked.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Julias squealed.
"Helping!" Orbis answered. "What does it look like?!"
"But now you're just stalling!"
"No, I'm not! Think, Jules! Think about the footprints. Think about the exit that the killer took!"
(... ... What?! How did I not notice that?!) Julias struck the bench. "There is a glaring contradiction that has been staring us in the face!"
"Another bluff I see." Contammis shook his head. "Like I said, it's not healthy for a lawyer to lose so early in their career. Your desperation proves this."
OBJECTION!
"You underestimate me, Prosecutor Contammis. And that you overestimate yourself."
"All right then," Cotammis crossed his arms, "prove it! Just what does this trial need?"
"Another testimony."
"... What?"
"Given the witness' testimony, the defense has just found a contradiction with the evidence. Particularly, the movement of the killer." Julias pointed to the prosecution. "The defense demands to hear this testimony!"
"What...? NOW?!" Contammis was startled at this request. In a flash, he was holding his head in his hands, glaring at the defense. "Now hold on! I have never thought of this testimony! Why wouldn't I?!"
"That is fine," The Judge nodded, "as per the defense's request, I will have the witness testify on the killer's movement. This court will hold a 15 minute recess. During that, I expect the prosecution to prepare the witness for this testimony."
"Y-yes," Contammis growled, "your honor..."
The Judge banged his gavel and declared, "This court is adjourned!"
Court Record
Evidence:
- Attorney's Badge: This badge is a must for all attorneys. Taking the defense bench without one is a federal offense.
- Recall Ring: Apparently, a ring that allows me a glimpse of someone's past. A souvenir from my first trial.
- Adrian's Bloodstain: A bloodstain on the sidewalk. This is where Adrian was shot in the right shoulder.
- Nerio's Footprints: Found near the cemetery's northeast exit. Another set was found near a grave stone. Matches his location on the map.
- Lester's Autopsy Report: Time of death was around 4:45-4:55 AM. Death was caused by loss of blood due to a bullet wound in the left shoulder.
- Cemetery Diagram: A map of the cemetery, showing killers, the victim and other things.
- Casino Ad: A flyer advertising the Nerio Casino. It provides, for lack of a better word, a small map of the casino.
- Thiffing's Vest: A vest dropped by Snipe Thiffing, near the Nerio Casino.
- Thiffing's Address: Apartment 13, Direct Apartments. The building is a straight shot from the casino.
- Adrian's Letter: Adrian's last words to me before he died. Right now, I don't have time to read it.
- Handgun: A .38 handgun. It's been proven to be the murder weapon.
- Ballistic Report: The report for the rifling marks on the murder weapon.
Profiles:
- Adrian Hawkfenn - Age 36: My former mentor... He died just recently...
- Casey Nerio - Age 41: My client for this case. Currently runs the Nerio Casino.
- Homer Lester - Age 29: The victim of this case. Was homeless before his death.
- Gaten Bulder - Age 39: The detective for this case. As far as detectives go, he certainly wasn't what I was expecting...
- Gray Rigget - Age 37: The grave-keeper, though a bit confused about his occupation. A witness to the murder.
- Snipe Thiffing - Age 27: A firearm consultant. Recently part of Detective Bulder's investigation.
- Phoenix Wright - Age 37: A legendary attorney. Apparently a very good friend of Adrian's.
- Apollo Justice - Age 26: Another attorney. Employee of the Wright Anything Agency. Sub-ordinate of Phoenix Wright.
- Athena Cykes - Age 21: Another attorney of the Wright Anything. Energetic co-worker of Apollo Justice.
- Orbis Fey - Age 17: The same kid that gave me my ring. Apparently banished from Kurain.
- Vera Misham - Age 23: Close friend and former client of Apollo. Currently working with police as crime scene sketcher.
- Director Hotti - Age ?: So-called "director" of Hickfield Clinic. Certainly not someone I'd make friends with...
- Brutus Contammis - Age 25: The prosecutor for this case. Practicing law for three years, he has earned the nickname "Prosecutor Hades".
Can YOU see the contradiction? From hereafter, I encourage you to also object to a testimony if you'd like. ^_^
THX & God bless
~RLS legacy