AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sandra nods.
“No nodding in court. If it’s a yes or no question, that’s what you’ll say.”
“Yes, I read them.”
“Are you confident in how you’ll reply?”
“I think so.”
“Again, a yes or no question, Ms. Bell.”
“Yes…I can do it.”
“How about the prosecutor’s possible questions?”
“I learned them.”
“Good. Now, we’ll move on to the possible questions the opposing counsel could ask you.”
Lauren gives her documentation. “These are the points we believe they’ll focus on. Reginald Pearce is known to play offense at the first chance he gets so you need to be extra ready.”
“We’ll help you out.” Chris smiles at her and she stares at her lap again.
“From this point on, I’m Reginald.” I stand in front of her, pacing slowly like he does in court. “Ms. Bell, you said that your father has been touching you against your volition. Is that correct?”
She swallows. “Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Since I was young.”
“How young exactly? Nine? Eight?”
“I…I don’t remember.”
“You claimed it was since around eight, right?”
“Objection.” Lauren stands. “Counsel is leading the witness.”
“That would be overruled, Lauren. Counsel has the right to lead the witness in a cross-examination,” I say, still pacing without breaking eye contact with Sandra. “Now tell me, do you remember when the first time he touched you was?”
“Not really, I…”
“So, you don’t remember. You’re only placing these allegations on faulty memories that even you don’t have a recollection of in order to slander a man of your father’s standing…”
“Objection…”
“The truth is, you’ve been in a consensual relationship with him all this time. There are pictures of you wearing provocative clothes that you sent him from your phone.”
“That’s not true!” Sandra’s bawling. “I didn’t…he made me wear those and took the pictures…I didn’t…”
“Ms. Bell, there’s hard evidence that points to it being consensual, whereas the evidence of the claimed sexual assault is nonexistent.”
“Objection. Counsel is stating his own conclusions…”
“He did it…he…” Sandra stands abruptly, her whole body shaking. “He did it!”
“You can’t say that when there’s no evidence. Isn't it true that you're just doing this to slander my client's reputation? That you came up with these allegations so that you could take his hard-earned money? Are you—”
