A/N: More of the first trial day! Where we see the style of Mrs. Newman as she lays down her case. Do you think you'd be able to rebut her points if you were the defense? Enjoy, my readers!

June 6th, 2029

District Courthouse, Courtroom #4

10:30 a.m.

Witness Testimony
The state of the body

"Detective Smokes' body was found in his room. There is no testimony to indicate that he left his room before the crime happened," Ema explained.

"The cause of death is believed to be the knife that is seen in his chest. Furthermore, the room shows that a struggle occurred before the fatal wound was inflicted."

Ema briefly consulted a file from her carrier bag. "To be clear, no fingerprints were found on the knife. However, the defendant is a maid, and so likely has access to disposable gloves."

"Further investigations have not suggested an alternate possibility or suspect in this case, and thus the defendant is the sole suspect."

End Testimony

Once again, Juniper waited for her co-counsel to say something, only to remember that she had none. Still, there was a question to be answered. "I thought we were going to talk about Bailey's motive."

"Before we do, I believe it would be for the best to prove without a doubt that only the defendant could have been in the crime scene."

I guess the focus right now is the idea that only Bailey was in the room when the crime happened. I need to prove that there was a third person in there.

Yet Juniper had a hard time focusing, because her mind was still processing Mrs. Newman being the prosecutor in the first place. At the other side of the courtroom, the older woman smiled mysteriously.

"Well, Junie? The court is waiting for your cross-examination."

Juniper decided to break her usual pattern, and press the last statement first.

"Could you specify how you determined that there couldn't be any other suspect?"

"Simple. Testimony that you gave me," Ema answered. "You, Hugh, and Robin told me about how you headed right to the crime scene, and how no one got past you."

"But there was a blackout! It's true that we didn't feel anyone pass by us. But someone could have slipped by in the darkness." Juniper pointed out.

"And that would mean something, if you had evidence of that," Mrs. Newman said, shaking her head. "But I know you don't."

Juniper doubled over as if she'd been physically punched in the gut. She had not expected to be so flatly rebuffed. Across from her, Robin could only helplessly watch.

I can't rely on Robin to pull me out of this! I need to think hard about yesterday.

"HOLD IT! I do have a question. How would a struggle happen in pitch black conditions?"

"Well, the prosecution has considered the idea that the murder happened because everything was dark." Ema consulted her phone. "Say, the two of them fought for the knife, and the victim got stabbed by accident."

"Then that would mean that Bailey and the detective would have been standing, right? It's hard for people to struggle otherwise," Juniper said. The direction of the trial can change depending on the answer.

"Doesn't seem like it could have happened any other way, at least so far," Ema said. She studied Juniper carefully. "Unless you want me to add to the testimony?"

"Yes, please." Juniper was glad for Ema's perceptiveness. After being in the same cases recently, it seemed that Ema was able to pick up on Juniper's train of thought.

I shouldn't expect to solve this right away. I need to find the first inconsistency, and go from there.

"OBJECTION!" Juniper slammed her hand on her bench. "The prosecution's stance so far is that the defendant and the killer struggled with each other, right?"

"As long as there is no one else in the room, that is what we must assume," Mrs. Newman said.

"That's not what I'm talking about. Take a look at this photo of the crime scene," Juniper said. She directed everyone's attention to the body in the bed. "If there really was a struggle, then why is Detective Smokes just laying in the bed?"

"Oh!" Robin perked up. "If he was stabbed during a struggle, the body should have been on the floor, not the bed!"

Mrs. Newman let out an intentionally overdrawn sigh. "The solution would be very simple, you know. The defendant could have placed the body in the bed. And she would certainly be able to arrange it, given her role as a maid."

"Even during a blackout? I think even the most skilled maid would have trouble navigating a body into a bed in those conditions," Juniper pointed out.

"It's not that complicated to lay a person down right on the bed," Mrs. Newman countered. "It could be done even in the dark."

The Judge slammed his gavel to stop further debate. "It seems before we can continue the trial, we must resolve this issue. Defense, present evidence that the defendant could not have laid the victim's body on the bed."

Juniper considered the picture of the crime scene again. I shouldn't overthink this. What I am looking for is proof that contradicts the prosecution.

In the picture, Detective Smokes looked as if he'd just tucked in for the night. If not for the knife, Juniper would have thought he were sleeping. As if… he were sleeping? Ah! That's it!

"TAKE THAT! I would like the court to look carefully at the victim," Juniper said, gesturing to a blown up version of the photo being shown to the court. "See how the sheets have been pulled halfway up his chest?"

"He looks very cozy," The Judge observed. "I wonder if Detective Smokes drank warm milk before bed?"

"Your Honor, please focus on the case on hand," Mrs. Newman said sweetly, even as one of her eyes started twitching. "Otherwise, I will be so very cross with you."

"Defense, this is your fault!" The Judge exclaimed, flustered from being told off.

"No, wait! I did have a point!" Juniper cried out, tugging at her pigtails.

Robin clenched her fists repeatedly, deep in thought. "Detective Smokes got into bed at some point, and it seems like he didn't get out!"

Thank you for getting things back on track. "Exactly. So when exactly did Bailey get in a struggle with the victim…"

Juniper slammed her palm on her bench again. "When the victim stayed in bed the entire time!"

"Oh!" Ema clapped her hand to her cheek. "That is a contradiction, isn't it?"

"Maybe you could lay a person on a bed in dark conditions," Juniper continued. "But I don't think you could pull sheets over them! Especially in the short time frame before she was witnessed at the crime scene!"

"The defense's point is valid. It seems as though the possibility of a struggle has become more unlikely," The Judge said. "In the pitch black conditions, it would also be improbable for the defendant to set up the victim's body as seen in the crime scene."

Is it… possible that I'm making headway? I've managed to cast doubt on the case against Bailey!

Juniper decided to keep pushing, while the tide favored her. "I would like to suggest that the defendant was framed-"

"OBJECTION!"

Mrs. Newman's voice cut through the entire courtroom, halting Juniper in her tracks and bringing the court's attention onto herself. Mrs. Newman took out a newspaper, rolled it up, and smacked it against the bench. "Do not get ahead of yourself, Junie."

"Eep!" Juniper felt an urge to go find the nearest place to hide, even though Mrs. Newman was clear on the other side of the courtroom. Robin's entire body stiffened, her eyes darting back and forth.

"Yes, in the situation you outlined, it is improbable that Bailey could have struggled with the victim. It is also possible that Tony stayed in his bed the entire time," Mrs. Newman said. "But let me ask the defense- what exactly does that change?"

"Umm… it means that the prosecution's initial assertion is wrong?" Even as Juniper talked, her voice grew weaker and more uncertain.

"Maybe so. But the basic facts of the case remain the same- only the defendant and the victim were in that room," Mrs. Newman pointed out. "So let's interpret the facts like this: Bailey stabbed the victim while he lay in his bed!"

"Wait! Can you just change your assertion like that?" Juniper asked nervously.

"There is no law against it. I know I have allowed the defense to change their assertions many times over the course of my career," The Judge said pensively. His expression grew stern. "However, this warning goes to defense and prosecution both- do not change your assertion too many times, or I will lose patience."

"Your warning is appreciated but unneeded, Your Honor," Mrs. Newman said, grinning in a very Robin-like manner. "It is up to the defense to answer my theory."

Robin herself in the middle of gripping her Proof of Friendship, cold sweat running down her face.

I can't let the trial end right now. If nothing else, I need to draw it out long enough to cast serious doubt on the case against Bailey.

"Detective Skye, there is something I need you to tell the court," Juniper said, her mind racing. "When the police arrested Bailey, what did she look like?"

Ema placed a finger on her chin, her body swaying side to side. "She looked pretty shocked, all things considered. She was also wearing the same maid uniform that she's wearing right now."

"What did Bailey's clothes look like?" If you give the answer I hope you will, I could still be in this…

"The uniform was pretty clean, actually. There wasn't even…" Ema stopped her swaying. "...blood on it. Wait, what?"

"Detective, please remember more carefully," Mrs. Newman said. For the first time, her composure had a crack in it, as she nervously drummed her fingers on the bench.

"I am remembering it perfectly well!" Ema exclaimed indignantly. "None of the police mentioned blood on the defendant's clothes!"

Juniper picked this moment to chime in. "Neither do I. When I saw Bailey at the crime scene, she had no blood on her. So I must question the prosecution: how could the defendant have stabbed the victim up close without getting blood on herself?"

"Urgh!" Mrs. Newman's fingers drummed on her bench faster.

"Before anyone asks, the police did spray the defendant's clothes with luminol," Ema added. "No traces of blood were found either."

"Defense, it seems like you knew about this beforehand," Mrs. Newman said. "Why did you not mention it?"

"Because I knew if I suggested it, I could be accused of influencing the detective's testimony," Juniper said. "So I wanted to confirm with her what she personally remembered."

"It seems we have now confirmed that the defendant had no blood on her clothes," The Judge said. "Prosecutor Newman, I hope you have an explanation of this."

Mrs. Newman tutted under her breath. "Junie, you are trying to pull at all these small points. But the reason you aren't getting anywhere is because there's always a way to explain them."

What could she possibly have to say at this point?

"Robin, you personally investigated the crime scene," Mrs. Newman said, looking over at her daughter. "Was there anything that stuck out to you?"

"Ma'am! There was a trash can in the crime scene with traces of blood in it," Robin answered. "Though whatever was in there originally was not found!"

"I do remember that trash can too. I found it strange that there would be blood in there, of all places," Juniper said thoughtfully. "The trash can in question was a small one, and it was under the desk in the room."

"I would certainly be happy to explain," Mrs. Newman said in an overly sweet tone. "If the question is 'how did the defendant not get blood on her clothes', then I could answer it with 'by covering herself with a cloth before she stabbed the victim'. A cloth which she then threw away."

"But no such thing was found at the crime scene," Juniper said, tugging at her pigtails. "How do you know such a cloth existed? And where did it go after?"

"If you are hoping that I overextend myself, you are sorely mistaken," Mrs. Newman said. "I have presented my evidence and testimony. It is up to you to present a rebuttal."

"AAAAHHH!" Juniper snapped her pigtails into her eyes. How does Mrs. Newman manage to keep putting up walls like this?

"I am unsure I care for the prosecution not presenting direct evidence to support their claim," The Judge said. "However, it is true that there is circumstantial evidence."

I hope I can still save this. They say that "evidence is everything". In that case…

"If nothing was found in the trash can, then this 'cloth' must have gone somewhere," Juniper said. "I assume no such thing was found on the defendant's person."

You would be correct, defense. I personally supervised the search on Miss Courte's body," Ema said. "She had nothing hidden in her clothes."

"Then I would like to cast serious doubt that this 'cloth' ever existed." Juniper emphasized the art quotes in her statement.

"It seems that the prosecution owes the court an apology, then," Mrs. Newman said, patting herself delicately on her heart.

...Huh? She's admitting it just like that?

"I hope the prosecution is not about to change their stance again." The Judge said in a warning tone.

"Not at all, Your Honor. I have a good idea where the defendant could have hidden evidence. I simply don't have the authority to inspect it right now."

"Please explain your theory at once," The Judge commanded.

"At the crime scene, there is a wardrobe," Mrs. Newman explained. "However, it is locked, and I don't know where the key is. I asked the defendant where the key was, and they refused to answer me."

Juniper's eyes went towards Bailey seated at the defendant's chair. Bailey refused to look at Mrs. Newman. "I believe I explained this. The key is not where it should be."

"But you are the only maid in the house, right? I can't imagine anyone else would have knowledge or access to such a key."

Perhaps too late, Juniper realized what Mrs. Newman was driving at. "OBJECTION! Bailey, you don't have to say anything else!"

"Oh? Does the defense suspect that this could sink their case?" Mrs. Newman asked.

"Neither of us know what could be in that wardrobe. So the prosecution suggesting it could contain incriminating evidence is baseless speculation!" Juniper exclaimed. She did not want to allow Mrs. Newman to cast aspirations onto Bailey.

"The defense's objection is sustained, and the prosecution's words will be stricken from the record," The Judge said sternly. "Unless they have evidence to prove that we should be concerned about the wardrobe."

"It's the very trash can I pointed out earlier," Mrs. Newman said, notably unrattled at being chastised by the judge. "As the court has acknowledged, there is blood at the bottom. Which raises the question: where did the blood come from?"

"We've established that there likely wasn't a struggle," Juniper said, thinking out loud. "And there doesn't seem to be a reason why either the defendant or the victim would be near the trash can."

"We certainly can't ask the victim," Mrs. Newman said, her eyes stone cold. "Which means the only person that could explain why there is blood in the trash can and why the wardrobe is locked is the defendant."

"What am I, then? Chopped liver?" Ema asked in an annoyed tone. Juniper started, having almost forgotten that Detective Skye was still at the witness stand.

"You can remain at the stand, in case your expertise is needed," Mrs. Newman said. She looked over at Juniper. "It depends on the defense now."

"The defendant, of course, has the right to avoid self-incrimination," The Judge said. "If they do not wish to testify, we cannot force them."

"...I will defer to the defense. I placed my life in their hands, so if they believe it is for the best that I testify, I will," Bailey said.

"Bailey! Are you absolutely sure?" Juniper asked.

"I am, Juniper. I did not kill Detective Smokes," Bailey said, looking Juniper in the eyes. "And I think… my mother would want me to trust you."

...Professor Courte. She may have been a prosecutor, but she would have wanted her daughter to have a fair trial.

"Juniper! Think of what Hugh would do in this position!" Robin called out.

What Hugh would do? I get it. When faced with the possibility that his client could be guilty, Hugh faced it head on, hearing Miss Winter's testimony. I believe that Bailey is innocent, but I also need to hear the full truth from her.

"As the defense, I would… like to hear my client's testimony." Juniper finally said.

"It seems that there are no objections. Then the defendant will take the witness stand," The Judge said. "And testify about their actions the day of the crime."

There is no going on back. I must continue to defend Bailey, no matter what she says. Especially against whatever Mrs. Newman is going to come up with next.

I still can't figure out Mrs. Newman's intentions. Why did she decide to prosecute Bailey? Where is she driving this trial? Either way, I have a feeling that she's not going to give me an inch in this trial.

To be continued

A/N: As always with Ace Attorney, the main battle is over one detail that is crucial to everything. Can Juniper prove the presence of a third person? And what does the mystery of the bloodstained garbage can imply? See you next time! Please review.