Here we go, the next chapter where J will face off against Stan in cross examination
Disclaimer: I own nothing in this.
DM77's Ace Attorney Chapter 15
Security Man's Testimony
October 18, 10:00 AM, District Court, Courtroom No. 4
J was at the Defence stand with Jaden by he side and she sees that the Prosecutor she was up against was Hunter and again Maccadam was the judge of this case.
Maccadam bangs his gavel to quiet the members of the court and said "Court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Johnny Bravo."
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." Hunter said removing his Golden Guard mask.
"The defense is ready, Your Honor." J said with a nod.
"Very well." Maccadam said nodding "Mr. Deamonne, your opening statement, please."
"The prosecution will show the court that at 2:30 PM on October 15, the defendant, Mr. Johnny Bravo, killed fellow actor Malty S Melromarc in Studio One of Vox Studios." Hunter explained "It is impossible for anyone else to have committed this heinous crime. The evidence presented during the trial will all point to that fact."
"Hmmm. I see." Maccadam said nodding. "Very well, I would like to move on to some testimony. Mr. Deamonne, the prosecution may call its first witness."
"Very well, I call a most familiar face, Detective N, to the stand." Hunter said.
N comes onto the stand looking ready to give his testimony. Hunter then said "Detective, if you would briefly describe this case to the court?"
"Yes sir! I'll explain with the guidemap here." N said with a nod and presents onto a screen the guidemap available at the security desk "To understand this case, it's important to grasp the layout of the studios, see?"
He points to the Employee Area and said "This here is the Employee Area. The actors did a run-through of their action scenes during the morning here." He points to the Main Gate "This is the main gate to the studios. The security man that works at the studios was here at 1:00 PM on that day."
N then points to the Gate before the Studios and said "Past the security station there is a gate, see? Past that are the studios." He points to Studio 1 "And here it is… Studio One. This is the scene of the murder, where the body was found!"
"Now, on the day of the murder, October 15, there were only three people here." N began to explained he then presents Malty's, Johnny's and Hashtags pictures "The victim, Malty S Melromarc, the defendant, Johnny Bravo and a young Cybertronian woman, the production assistant."
"All the production staff were in the Employee Area until noon." N continued and shows a blue circle with a white V moved from the Employee Ara to Studio One "Then after lunch, the victim, Malty S Melromarc, went to Studio One." He then shows Stan's picture and on the map a green circle near the main gate "Right after that, at 1:00 PM, the security man got to the guard station."
"Now, jump ahead to later that day…. 5:00 PM." N carries on "The production staff came to Studio One to perform a rehearsal. Needless to say, the rehearsal was cancelled…The time of death was 2:30 PM. The 'Saba Sword' found lodged in the victim's chest was the murder weapon. That's the case, in brief. Anyone like me to repeat that?"
'I think I can probably remember all that…' J thinks to that.
A Purge Trooper Balief holds up the Saba Sword as Maccadam said "So the murder weapon was a 'sword'? How… medieval!" J sees the Saba Sword was added to the Court Record.
"Your Honor." Hunter said "This case is quite simple if you ask one question: And that question is: 'What did the security man at the guard station see?'"
"Understood." Maccadam said nodding.
"Let's call this security officer to the stand!" Hunter said nodding
Soon Stan takes up the stand as N goes to take a seat with the public having done his job.
"Will the witness declare his name?" Hunter said.
Stan looks at Hunter and smiles proudly "Well aren't you a cool looking guy! Love to share tales and give you some tips on how to be awesome."
Hunter was shocked by the friendly and unprofessional attitude of this witness and said "Y-your name, please!"
"Oh champ! No need for the formalities! Just call me 'grunckle.'" Stan said chuckling.
"YOUR NAME, PLEASE!" Hunter yells out in annoyance.
'Seems Hunter has a bit of trouble getting his witnesses to say their names…' J thinks and mentally giggles
"Stanly Pines, just call me Stan for short." Stan said simply and then goes into a very long-winded ramble talk.
"Objection!" Hunter calls out looking annoyed "O-objection! I… object to the witness's talkativeness."
"Objection sustained!" Maccadam said in agreement "The witness with refrain from rambling on the stand."
"Oh, and I was just getting to the good part!" Stan said sighing.
"Perhaps we can get to the testimony?" Hunter suggested.
"Now, the witness was stationed at the main gate on the day of the murder, correct?" Maccadam asked.
"You got it chief." Stan said nodding.
"And to get to the scene of the murder, someone would have to pass by you?" Maccadam asked.
"You sure know your stuff Robot." Stan said smiling.
Maccadam remained quiet and said "You may begin your testimony."
'He is sure is a pine-full…'
Stan begins to give his Witness's Account testimony saying "On the day of the murder, I arrived at the guard station at 1:00 PM. Poor old Malty and the rest had been doing a run-through there since the morning. I, well I had some errands to run that morning. Anyway, it was 1:00 when I got to the guard station."
"I was at the main gate from then until 5:00!" Stan continues "Now, the murder happened at 2:30 PM, right? Interesting to me, because a certain man walked right by me at 2:00 PM." He points to Johnny "It was Bravo! That man right there, and he was heading towards the studio!"
"You saw the defendant, then? Hmmm…" Maccadam said thinking "Very well. Let's begin the cross-examination, Miss. J?"
"Yes, Your Honor." J said with a nod and presses the first statement "Hold it! So up until that time anyone who wanted to could go into the studio?"
"Well, there wasn't a security guard at the gate, no." Stan said thinking "But the main gate was locked, champ." He holds up a cardkey "You'd need an employee cardkey to get in."
'Right… the cardkey that I have.' J thinks nodding 'So, what he's saying is no one who wasn't supposed to be there could get in.' She then presses the third statement saying "Hold it! What kind of 'errands'?"
"Oh, well, you know." Stan said with a smile and shrugged.
"Answer the question!" J told him.
"Actually… I was watching poor Malty and Johnny. Observing you know?" Stan admits as we see the run-through flashback with Stan in the background watching.
"O-observeing?" J said surprised "Weren't you supposed to be at the guard station?"
"Hey! I told you I locked the gate, didn't I? I did my job!" Stan snaps in annoyance.
'I'm not sure your boss would see it that way…' J thinks sweat dropping.
"Anyway! I always watch Malty's run-throughs. Always!" Stan said with a big smile. "Never missed one in all my years."
"Wow! I want to see a White Ranger run-through too!" Jaden said amazed.
"You could quit being a Keyblade Warrior and take up guard duty." J suggested to him.
"Not a bad idea…" Jaden said thinking
J then presses the fourth statement about arriving at the guard station at 1:00 asking "Hold it! Did you see the victim then?"
"Did I see poor old Malty? Nope." Stan said simply "He'd already gone to the studio before I got back to the guard station."
J nodded and presses the following statement about being at the guard station until 5:00 asking "Hold it! So were you watching there the WHOLE time? No breaks? Not even a second?"
"O-of course! I am a professional when I want to be, you know!" Stan said angry "Or are you criticizing how I do my job?! You brat bot!"
"No, it's just, after seeing you eating those donuts in the guard station yesterday…" J said a little scared.
"I can watch the gate and eat donuts at the same time!" Stan yells out. "Bot brat!"
"'Bot brat…?" Jaden said confused "Old Pines is losing it, J."
"Why don't you raise an objection?" J suggested
"So, the witness was on duty through the afternoon, the whole time. Very well." Maccadam said nodding "Please continue."
J nods and presses the sixth statement about the murder being at 2:30 "Hold it! How did you know that?"
"Hahahaha. I have my ways! That polite and friendly detective drone told me." Stan said with a smile. J can see N sinking into his seat to hide from Hunter's gaze"I fed him some oil and battery donuts and he talked and talked…I know plenty of cops and personally that detective isn't cut out for his job."
Hunter looks at the hiding N with a glare and J sweat dropping thinks 'Poor Detective N, getting ratted out by a security guard…' She then presses the next statement about someone walking by at 2:00 saying "Hold it! 2:00? You're sure?"
"Sure as spit!" Stan said nodding.
"Well, who is the man?!" Maccadam asked concerned
"Really, you should try not to get so excited at your appearance age." Stan said smiling "You might strain something." Maccadam looks at him "Now, now, don't blow a circuit. I'll tell you who it was in my next statement."
J presses the last statement of Stan accusing Johnny saying "Hold it! So, you saw Mr. Bravo?"
"That's what I said! Are your ear receptors faulty missy?" Stan said to her.
"J, this is your chance!" Jaden told her.
"Yeah, time to pull out the secret weapon…" J said nodding and prepares it.
"I'll say it again! It was him!" Stan said.
"Objection!" J said and slams her hands on the desk "Let me get this straight, pain! Er, Mr. Pines! You've bene saying this yesterday that you 'saw Mr. Bravo,' correct?" She then shows the Bravo's(?) Photo in her hand and says "But you're talking about the man in this photo, aren't you!"
"J-just a moment, Miss. J. Let me see that photo!" Maccadam said and a Purge trooper belief brings him the picture to look at. He then asked confused "What is this, exactly?"
"None other than the White Ranger, defender of Network Kingdom." J told him simply and slams her hands on the table "Mr. Pines! Is this the 'Mr. Bravo' that you saw?!"
"Of course! Didn't you mother teach you any sense, chump?" Stan said smiling confidently "Anyone can plainly see that's Johnny! Right?"
"No, they can't!" Hunter said in annoyed shock. He then recovers and thinks "Umm… well. I mean, I wonder?"
"True, Mr. Bravo does play the role of the White Ranger!" J said with a nod. She slams her hands down and said "But that doesn't mean Mr. Bravo IS the White Ranger!"
Stan winces at that and finally got why people doubt it and said annoyed "I…I know that! I wasn't born yesterday!"
"No one in this court is accusing you of that, Mr… er, witness." Maccadam said to him.
'He is having trouble staying composed apparently…' J thinks.
"However, you do not have proof that the person in this photo is Mr. Johnny Bravo, do you?"
"Humph! Nody old bot!" Stan said with a smile "Of course I have proof!"
"What?!" J said in shock.
"Huh?!" Hunter said in shock.
'Even Hunter is surprised?!' J thinks in disbelief.
"The prosecution would like to ask the old… the witness. Please make known all the information in your possession ahead of time!" Hunter said trying to keep calm.
"How was I to know everyone would be so nosy! You should be ashamed, all of you!" Stan said in annoyance. "Anyway, I showed that photo to the detective drone. He told me 'this isn't any good as evidence, buddy.' He didn't even give it a second look!" Hunter was shocked into silence at that.
'Wow, old Pines has left even Hunter speechless. He's good!' J thinks to that.
"Let's here about your proof, then." Maccadam said.
Stan nods and begins his testimony of 'The Man in the Photo' saying "I never say anything I don't mean, mind you! That morning during the run-through of the action scene…I saw Johnny trip and fall! He broke one of the props, it was a big mess. Apparently, he sprained his ankle pretty bad."
Stan then shows the photo and said "Now look at that photo! You can see he's dragging his leg! See? Clear as day! That how I knew it was Johnny. Happy?"
"Hmmm. So he had sprained his ankle…?" Maccadam said thinking "Very well. Miss. J, you may cross-examine the witness."
'He's got to be hiding something… I'll press him until he squeals.' J thinks. She presses the first statement saying "Hold it! Ummmm…"
"Brat bot!" Stan said annoyed.
'Hey, I haven't said anything yet!' J thinks sweat dropping.
"I'll have you know I'm not pointing fingers at anyone behind their backs!" Stan said annoyed and goes on an annoyed rant.
Hunter slams his hand on his desk stopping him and said "Miss. J! Please, for all our sakes, try not to upset the witness!"
'I think Hunter has met his match…' J thinks embarrassed. She then presses the third statement of Johnny tripping and falling saying "Hold it! 'Trip and fall'…?"
"Yes! And to thinks, he's supposed to be the White Ranger! What a laugh!" Stan said chuckling "So Johnny sprained his ankle. I helped make it better for him, of course."
"You… helped make it better?" Maccadam asked.
"I applied some cream from a first aid box where it hurt." Stan simply said.
"I see…let's move one then" Maccadam said nodding.
"Where was the assistant then?" J asked wondering where Hashtag was during this.
"Oh her? She was cleaning up backdrops, I think." Stan said thinking. "She didn't know about Johnny's ankle."
'Hmmm…' J thinks and then presses on the next statement of the props breaking "Hold it! He broke a prop?"
"Sure did!" Stan said nodding "His own Saba Sword."
'His Saba Sword…. the murder weapon?!' J thinks in surprise
"Luckily I was there with my duct tape to fix it." Stan said with a smile.
'This strikes me as a significant detail…I'd better write this down in the Court Record.' J said and notes it down on the Saba Sword details. She then presses on the next statement on Johnny spraining his ankle saying "Hold it! Was Mr. Bravo's ankle badly spreained?"
Not so bad that he couldn't walk around." Stan says shaking his head "He went to his dressing room to rest up after lunch."
'Thus the nap…' J thinks on that.
"Anyway, I saw him dragging his foot when he walked." Stan explained.
'Dragging his foot… okay.' J thinks nodding.
Hunter then slams his hand down and said "I think we've heard enough! Haven't we, Your Honor?"
"Well, there is one thing that bothers me." Maccadam said thinking.
"Which is?" Hunter asked.
"Where is this 'White Ranger' costume now?" Maccadam asked.
"Umm… hmm." Hunter said to that rubbing his head "Actually, well… We couldn't find it. We're looking, though."
"Hmm…" Maccadam thinks.
"Anything, that's not important!" Hunter said "The witness did see the White Ranger, yes." He smirks shrugging "And it is clear that the person in the White Ranger suit was Mr. Johnny Bravo!"
"Hmmm… I suppose that's right." Maccadam said nodding.
'Are you sure, Your Honor?" J thinks and raises an objection slamming her hands down "Hold it right there! We keep talking possibilities, but we have to agree that this photo shows the White Ranger! Nowhere in this photo we see Mr. Johnny Bravo!"
"Hmm…" Maccadam thinks on this then nods "The defence has a point. I also wonder if someone else not caught on camera could have killed Miss. Melromarc. We have to consider that possibility, also."
Hunter smirks and tuts and said "Then allow me to remove that doubt from your mind, Your Honor…Will the witness continue his testimony, please?"
"No need to ask twice!" Stan said grinning. He then began his Witness Account Cont testimony saying "The time of poor Malty's death was 2:30 PM, right? The only person I saw go to the studio before then was Johnny Bravo! No one else went there! If they had, I would have seen them!"
"Hmmm…" Maccadam thinks on that "So if no one else went to the studio…Then it would have to be this 'White Ranger' who did it. Miss J, you may cross-examine the witness."
J thinks on it, it was short and simple and she doubt her pressing will yield any new information from Stan's stubborn mind, then she remembered something on the photo and on his third statement said "Objection! Hold on! Look at this photograph one more time." J brings on the screen and explained "This photo was taken by the camera the at the gate for the studios, correct?"
"Yep, it sure was" Stan said with a nod.
"So, whenever anyone passes by here, it automatically takes a picture?" J asked him.
"And here I thought you were programmed not to know your head from a hole in the ground." Stan joked grinning.
"Right… Anyway!" J said moving on from that. "It's also true that the computer in the guard station records all security cam data."
"Hey! You know, if you wanted to work at the studio, we might have an opening." Stan said with a smile.
"That very computer printed out this photo." J continued to explain "Note that the back of the photo are printed the words: [Oct 15, 2:00 PM, Photo #2]"
"Even I know what that means it was taken at 2:00 PM on October the 15th! Really, girl!" Stan said simply missing the point.
"Actually, I knew that too." J said to him. "The issure here is the bit at the end where is says: 'Photo #2'…"
"'Photo #2'…?" Stan said confused.
"The computer only held data for one photo on that day." J explained. "Don't you think that's odd?" She slams her hands down "Shouldn't this photo be 'Photo #1' if it really was the ONLT photo?!"
The crowd murmur in surprise at this, J had a point. Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Order! Order!" He looks to J "Please tell the court what you mean by this, Miss. J!"
"Actually, that's what I want to ask the witness." J said smiling and explains "This evidence show that not one, but two people went to the studio that day. Yet there is only data for one of the photos! Who could have erased the data for the other photo?" She slams her hands down and said "Only someone with access…the security man himself!"
"Eh?!" Stan said shocked and yelled "You watch your mouth, brat bot! The only person I saw that day was Johnny Bravo!"
J looks firmly and said "But the camera on the gate fired twice! That means two people went by!"
"Umm… well, yes… that's what it would seem to mean…" Stan said trying to think.
"Can the witness explain this to the court?" Maccadam asked him.
"Ummm…" Stan said worried and said "I-I don't understand these new-fangled computer things…Ummmm… hey Hunter old buddy! Help!"
"Huh?!" Hunter said shocked and said "B-believe me, I want to, but I don't know what this means either."
"Humph! Some help you are! You're a chump then! A Brat even." Stan said recomposing but then thinks "Brat…?" He seemed to figure something out.
"Something the matter, Mr. Pines?" Maccadam asked noticing the look.
"Oh! That's right!" Stan said and awkwardly added "I… I just remembered something!"
"Let me guess…" Maccadam said serious "Someone else passed by the gate… someone other than the White Ranger?"
"Er… well, yes, I suppose you could put it that way." Stan said nodding.
The audience murmur at this shocking revelation and Maccadam bangs his gavel and sighs "I see. Your testimony, please."
Stan nods and begins his testimony 'The Other Person' saying "Every day, after I finish my guard duties, I have one other important job to do. I go though the photos recorded on the security computer and check them. I throw out any photos that aren't suspicious looking, you see. Come to think of it, now I remember throwing out one photo that day!"
"M-Mr. Pines! This is the first I've heard of this!" Hunter said looking really annoyed slouching on his desk.
"Well, of course, champ! I've only just remembered it." Stan said with a smile.
"Right…anyway, Miss. J, please begin the cross-examination." Maccadam said nodding.
"Well, I'd say this was a turn for the unexpected, but I kind of expected this…" Jaden said deadpanned.
J nods and begins and presses the last statement wanting to know more of the photo saying "Hold it! Well, who in the heck was in that photo you erased?!"
"Humph. A fanboy." Stan said sounding annoyed.
"F-fanboy?" J asked confused.
"White Ranger fanboys. Real freaks, if you ask me." Stan said shrugging. "They get information about the rehearsals from who-knows-where. They're always hanging about. One was there that day."
"Objection!" J shouted at that seeing the contradiction "W-wait a second! Didn't you just say no one else could get it?! 'I locked the main gate so no one could get in'… Those were your words!"
"Well!" Stan said with a smile "If you must know, there's a drain that goes into the Employee Area. The grate has been loose for a while. It leads outside, and well, that's where the come in."
"They come in through the drain?" J said worried, fearing she knows which one Stan is on about.
"I told you they were freaks." Stan said grinning. "Oh, and…"
"And…?" J said feeling she won't like this.
"They're kids. Children. Brats." Stan told her and the court.
"K-kids?!" J said in complete shock. "So, on the photo that you erased…?"
"It was a boy. I am guess possibly 2nd or 3rd grade." Stan said with a nod.
J was silent and then yells out "Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!"
The members of the court murmur at this, if that's the case then that means the first photo is not relevant. Maccadam bangs the gavel and said "O-order! Order! Let me get this straight. You saw two people pass by the gate on their way to the studios that day? One was the White Ranger, dragging his leg. The other was a boy who looked to be in about 2nd or 3rd grade?"
"Oh yes, well we see his type there every day." Stan said nodding. "Can't stop'em. Can't catch'em."
"A boy in 2nd or 3rd grade? Hmmm…" Hunter said thinking "I assume it would be hard, if not impossible for a young boy to wield the Saba Sword?"
"Impossible, I'd think. It's quite heavy." Maccadam said nodding.
"Right! As I said, I didn't pay him much mind." Stan said shrugging. "That's why I erased the data."
"Um, J? What's going on?" Jaden asked confused. "I mean, the boy was there, that makes him a suspect!"
"Yeah, and they're already trying to 'un-suspect' him." J said with a nod
Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "This court will take a five-minute recess. I want the defense and the prosecution to consider this new information…And no forgetting vital information this time!"
October 18, 11:08 AM, District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 3
J and Jaden were having some drinks as they sat to process what happened just now and what they learned. Johnny Bravo came in to see them.
"Mr. Bravo?" J said looking at him
"Y-Yeah?" Johnny asked nervous.
"Tell me straight: were you really in your dressing room? You didn't go to the studio?" J asked looking at him straight.
"I-I didn't go to the studio!" I was s-sleeping honest." Johnny said to her.
"So, who was the 'White Ranger' in that security photo?" Jaden asked sipping his soda.
"How should I know?" Johnny said shrugging. "The White Ranger costume was off in the corner of the dressing room. Anyone could have walked in and taken it, really."
"What?!" Jaden said shocked "You should take better care of that stuff!"
"I couldn't imagine anyone would want to steal a White Ranger costume!" Johnny admits. "So… where does this leave me?"
"It doesn't look good…" J said thinking. Johnny sniffs at this "You're the only likely suspect, right now."
"J!" Jaden said shocked. "W-what are we going to do?!"
"First, we play for more time." J said thinking "We'll start targeting someone else that could conceivably have done this!"
"Right!" Jaden said smiling. "And it'll take them so long to shoot us down that we can get another day!"
"Right… but if we pick the wrong person, we might lose on the spot." J said nodding.
"You… don't sound very optimistic." Johnny said concerned.
"I'm not optimistic at all, actually." J admits to him.
"Hey, J. It's time" Jaden said checking his watch.
"Okay. Let's go." J said sighing and finishes her oil.
"What does that mean… Please don't sigh like that!" Johnny said upset a bit.
Everyone returns into the courtroom, Stan again at the Witness stand as the court member's murmur.
Maccadam bangs his gavel and said "Court will now reconvene for the trial of Mr. Johnny Bravo. Mr. Deamonne, will you present the prosecution's thoughts on this matter?"
"The prosecution's thoughts are simple." Hunter said and shrugs smiles "Nothing has changed. The other person who went to the studios was a boy of roughly 10 years of age. The photo we do have may not be hard evidence…" He slams his gloved hand down "But there is still no one else that could have committed this crime! I call for a verdict of 'guilty' for the defendant, Mr. Johnny Bravo!"
"Hmmm…" Maccadam thinks and said "Very well. Miss J, your thoughts?"
"The defence disagrees with the prosecution's claim." J said simply and slams her hands down "There IS another person who could have committed this crime!"
The members murmur surprised and Maccadam bangs his gavel "Order! Interesting…Let us here who you have in mind! However…Be aware that this court does not look kindly on accusing the innocent. If you accuse someone who is obviously innocent, you will be penalized."
'Right. Great. As if the stakes weren't hight enough.' J thinks nervous at this.
"So, who was this person other thant Mr. Bravo that could have committed murder?" Maccadam asked
"It was the security man! Stanly Pines!" J said pointing right at Stan.
"W-who?!" Stan said in shock.
"The white Ranger is dragging his leg in this picture." J explained her reasons "That means whoever was in the suit knew about that morning's injury. Maybe because…they had been watching the action scene run-through! There was only one person other than Johnny and Malty who knew about the injury. The security man, Stan!"
"W-what?! Brat bot!" Stan said in anger.
The court is filled with chatter on this and Maccadam bangs his gavel "Order! Order! I-is this true, Pines?!"
"Pines?! That's Mr. Pines to you!" Stan said in anger.
"Mr. Pines was standing guard alone at the main gate." J explained "He was by himself… in other words, he has no alibi! He could have briefly left his post to steal the White Ranger costume…Then slipped into Studio One, the scene of the murder!"
"W-why would he go though the trouble of wearing the White Ranger costume?" Maccadam asked.
"Simple, Your Honor." J said nodding "He knew the camera at the gate would take his picture. If he was in his costume, he could point the finger at Mr. Bravo!"
"I see!" Maccadam said nodding. "Excellent deductive reasoning, Miss. J."
'Ohhhh yeah, right here! Shelock Holmes bot!' J thinks smiling. She then realizes something 'That's odd. Isn't this the part where Hunter pounces…? Doesn't he usually jump up with an objection and some new damning evidence…?' She was confused at Hunter's silence.
"Well, Mr. Deamonne? Does the prosecution have an opinion on this matter?" Maccadam asked looking at Hunter.
Hunter stood there arms folded looking composed and calm and was silent and then just says "The prosecution has no meaningful objections at this time."
"W-w-what?!" Stan said in shock "What's that supposed to mean?!" He then gets angry "Oh, so you all think I did it? Is that it?! Hunter old pal! Don't just sit there, do something!"
J thinks on it and presses further and said "The very same reasoning that makes Mr. Bravo a suspect in this case…can be used to cast doubt on Mr. Pine's actions on that day!"
"B-but why would I do something so horrible to poor Malty?!" Stan asked in anger.
"You forget that Mr. Bravo lacks a clear motive, too." J said with a smile.
"Hmm… Indeed." Maccadam said nodding as that made sense, what motive would Johnny have for killing Malty.
'That did it. Now old pines is one of the suspects.' J thinks 'No hard feelings…I hope.'
"Wait just a minute!" Stan called out "What about the other person who went to the studio?! The boy! The one whose photo I erased!"
"He's only a grade schooler though, as you said. 2nd or 3rd grade, was it?" Maccadam points out.
"Th-that doesn't matter!" Stan said. "When I was that age, I could pin the local bully in 10 seconds, tops!"
"Hmmm… Your thought, Miss J?" Maccadam asked.
"That boy is not the killer." J told him.
"What?! How can you be so sure!" Stan yelled out. "Oh, or is it to be nice to the kids and mean to your elders day? Brat bot!"
"I have proof." J told him.
"P-proof?!" Stan said in shock.
"Indeed? Then let's see this proof, Miss J." Maccadam asked. "You have proof that shows the boy could not have committed this murder?"
"Take that!" J said selecting her proof and explained "The scene of the murder, as we all know, was Studio One." She shows the Cardkey "However, you need a cardkey to enter Studio One! How could a boy with no formal relation to the studios have a cardkey!?"
"I see" Maccadam said with a nod. "Well, would the witness care to comment on this?"
"Mrph." Stan lets out annoyed.
'The old pines…. Speechless. This has got to be a first.' J thinks at that.
"Very well!" Maccadam said nodding and bangs his gavel "This court will suspend proceedings on the current trial for today. Mr. Deamonne, please find out more about your witness Mr. Pear… what was his name?"
"Something 'Pines,' Your Honor." Hunter said simply.
"Then, the prosecution will look further into this Pines before we continue!" Maccadam said nodding "That is all. This court is adjourned!" He bangs his gavel.
"W-wait a second!" Stan yells out in anger "I'm not going to just sit here while you run off barking up the wrong tree…me! Sure I did crimes before but nothing like this and I ain't going to let you accuse me of this! I'm talking!"
This shocked both J, Hunter and Maccadam. Jaden however looks deadpan and said "Oh, great, stop the presses! The old pine wants to talk!"
"Mr. Pines! What is this all about?" Maccadam asked "Have you omitted something from your testimony?"
"Actually, if you must know, there's something I was told not to talk about." Stan said with a grin
"N-Not to talk about?!" J said in shock
"By whom?!" Hunter said equally shocked.
'Huh? You mean it wasn't Hunter who told him not to talk…?' J thinks actually surprised then again with the amount of curveballs Stan delivered she shouldn't be all that surprised.
"W-well, testify!" Maccadam told him.
Stan nods and beings to testify 'My Lips Were Sealed' saying "Vox Studios wanted mt to keep quiet about something. There were… some other people at the studios on the day of the murder. They said they had 'nothing to do with it,' see? So they told me to just pretend they 'hadn't been at the studios that day.'" He then gets angry "But if you're going to go accusing me, I'm not letting them get away scot free!"
"M-Mr. Pines!" Maccadam said surprised "Thus is crucial information! Why did you keep this from the court until now?!"
"Weren't you listening?" Stan asked him. "They told me to shut my trap, and I always do what I'm told. When it is convenient"
Maccadam looks Stan stunned and J thinks 'No, this isn't a bad dream, Your Honor. Witness the power of the Pines…'
"Miss. J….Your cross-examination." Maccadam said simply.
J nods and starts with the third one saying "Hold it! Mr. Pines! This is a trial for murder!"
"I know that silly!" Stan said smiling "Still, they were convincing about having nothing to do with it. And… they gave me a little bonus on the side."
'So, you got your 'bonus' and you still talked…' J thinks, she then presses the fourth statement saying "Hold it! So they were actually in the studio?!"
"Yes, the whole day." Stan said nodding "When they heard about the murder, they beat it before the police troopers came."
Hunter grumbles looking annoyed and thinks 'I'll kill this man, I swear it…'
'I feel sorry for Hunter, almost. He really left him hanging on this one.' J thinks then presses the second one and said Hold it! W-who were these people?!"
"Well, the director and the producer, for starters…" Stan said smiling.
"The… director?" J said surprised
"We should have known something was fishy?" Hunter said thinking arms folded. "How could they have done a run-through of their action scene without a director?" He slams his gloved hand on the desk "Of course!"
"Yes, well, I was surprised no one asked about it." Stan said with a chuckle.
"So, where were these people?" J asked Stan.
"The director was in the Employee Area all morning for the run-through." Stan explained "He joined the producer around lunchtime, and they had a meeting after that."
"Where!" Hunter asked looking serious.
"Oh, in the Studio Two trailer." Stan told him.
"S-Studio Two..?!" J said surprised and thinks 'There was a Studio Two…?'
"Well, if you look at the guidemap…" Stan said and brings it up on the screen and points to it "Here it is. You go though the gate and all the way to the left."
'The path where the woodpecker's head was fallen over.' J thinks remembering the other path.
"Well, Miss J…Would you like to continue the cross-examination…?" Maccadam asked her.
Feeling she asked all she needed to ask J said "Your Honor. We have learned there were others at Vox Studios on the day in question. The director and the producer and, er, some bigwigs, were all present." She slams her hands down "Yes, as we stand here, they have not been questioned! I hold that it is impossible to declare a verdict on the defendant, Mr. Bravo!"
"Hmmm…" Maccadam thinks and bangs his gavel "The court acknowledges the defence's point. The prosecution will gather more information about the witness, Mr. Pines…and more information about these other people we have just been told of!"
Hunter looks very annoyed and angry about this whole thing. But he said, "I understand, Your Honor."
"This ends the day's proceedings in the trial of Mr. Johnny Bravo. That is all! This court is adjourned!" Maccadam said and bangs his gavel ending the trial for the day.
October 18, 1:04 PM, District Court, Defendant Lobby No. 3
J, Jade and Johnny meet up to discuss what next. Johnny having cheered up and smiling said "Th-thank you so much, Miss. J. I was right to ask you to defend me."
"Aww, really, it's nothing." Jaden said grinning. "Oh, or should I…" He sniffs.
"We'll be going down to the studios to do some more investigating." J explained to Johnny. "We have to find out more about this director and producer. They'll be turning up in the next trial as witnesses for certain. So now's my chance to get material for the cross-examination!"
"So, J…" Jaden said thinking "Have we figured out just who it was in that White Ranger costume? Could it really have been old pine?"
"What do you think, Mr. Bravo?" J asked him.
"I don't think it was him, really." Johnny said sadly.
"Neither do I, J." Jaden said thinking on it.
"Y-yeah, I know! Look I was just buying time back there." J told them both. "Someone had to be the bad guy for a bit to take the pressure off Mr. Bravo."
"Poor old pine… I feel kind of sorry for him." Jaden said sadly.
"Well, he wasn't winning any points in there, with or without my accusation." J points out. "Okay, let's get down to the studios."
"Right! We'll be back to visit you soon…" Jaden said to Johnny
"Th-thanks. Thanks guys." Johnny said sniffing.
J and Jaden nod and leave the courthouse
Well they bought more time but now they need to gather info to help in the next trial of this case.
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