Lydia’s gaze didn’t waver. “We found extensive evidence that Ms. Taylor had been obsessively researching Mr. Donovan. She accessed his social media profiles, tracked his movements online, and looked into his background and into his businesses.”
Mitchell pressed further. “And in your expert opinion, what does this behavior suggest?”
Lydia hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “It might suggest an unhealthy obsession. This level of surveillance and the specific nature of her research goes beyond casual interest and could be interpreted as stalking behavior.”
Colton rose to his feet once more. “Objection! The witness is not a psychologist and is not qualified to speak to the defendant’s mental state.”
“Sustained,” the judge ruled. “Ms. Vargas, please refrain from making psychological assessments. Stick to the forensic analysis.”
Ms. Vargas nodded and mouthed,I’m sorry,at the judge.
Mitchell didn’t seem bothered by the objection. The seed had already been planted in the jurors’ minds. “Thank you, Your Honor. No further questions.”
Colton walked over to the witness stand. He turned to face the jury. “Ms. Vargas, in today’s digital age, would you say it’s unusual for someone to look up information about a romantic partner online?”
“No, it’s quite common,” the expert conceded.
I held my breath, intrigued to see how Colton was spinning that particular piece of damning testimony.
Colton paused, then leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “In fact, many people in relationships—especially in the early stages—might google their partner, check their social media, or even track their movements online, wouldn’t you agree?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”
Colton took a step back, letting his point settle in. “So, while Olivia’s research might be thorough, it’s not necessarily abnormal in your opinion. Correct?”
ADA Mitchell rose to his feet. “Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is leading the witness.”
“Sustained. Mr. Blake, I expect more from you.”
Colton nodded, unfazed. “Apologies, Your Honor. Ms. Vargas, based on your forensic analysis, would you say that Olivia Taylor’s online activity, while detailed, could be consistent with that of any individual who is deeply interested in their partner?”
“Yes, it could be consistent with that,” Lydia admitted.
Colton smiled slightly, making eye contact with the jurors. “Let’s revisit your crime scene findings. Olivia Taylor’s fingerprints may have been on theVisinebottle, but there was no forensic evidence placing her at the scene of Winston Donovan’s death? No fingerprints, DNA, or hair fibers?”
The woman nodded. “That is correct.”
“Not even fingerprints on the doorknob, which my client supposedly handled to open the door?”
“That is correct.”
“And nowhere inside the crime scene?”
“Correct.”
“But you did find numerous other prints in those locations? On the doorknob, at the crime scene, on surfaces inside the suite in question?”
“Yes, we did find quite a few prints. Some sets were eliminated; for example, those belonging to housekeeping staff or to Mr. Donovan himself. Others remain unidentified.”
“So, how do you explain your findings? There were no gloves recovered at the scene or seen on the hotel video surveillance. How do you suppose that was possible? My client’s fingerprints conveniently found on the murder weapon, but nowhere else in the room, including on the door handle she—”
“Objection, Your Honor!” ADA Mitchell shouted, his voice loaded with indignation. “Calls for speculation.”
“Withdrawn,” Colton said before the judge had a chance to announce his ruling. “What else have you found that the jury should know about?”
I frowned, feeling my heart beating faster. What else was there? I’d read the reports, and I didn’t remember seeing anything else. There must’ve been something I’d missed in yesterday’s discovery package.
The expert hesitated a little. “There was an Apple AirTag found in Ms. Taylor’s purse.”
