Miranda looked at a house in front of her, not sure what to do. This is the right address…but this is my first time interviewing someone…
Miranda sighed and rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, an elderly man appeared. "Hello? Who are you?"
"My name is Miranda Veal, a defense attorney. I want to ask you about the trial you were a witness of four years ago."
"…oh…you man the case with Travis Sherman?"
"Yes."
"I don't know why you want to ask me about it. That case was solved four years ago."
"The trial may not have been…fair. I'm going over all loose ends and trying to figure out if it requires a retrial."
"…come in."
Miranda stepped into the house and looked around. "Nice place."
"Thanks. May I interest you in some coffee or tea?"
"No thank you."
Miranda sat down on the couch. "So, your name is Mike Stefenson, correct?"
"Yes, you're correct."
Miranda took out the case report. "Mr. Stefenson, I want to ask you about your testimony during the trial. You said that you saw a figure when you looked to the left, touching the doorknob with his left hand, correct?"
"You are correct."
"Did you see any gloves on the hands?"
"…honestly…I'm not sure."
"You don't remember if he was wearing gloves?"
"No…"
"Hmm…were you sure testifying about it in court?"
"…"
"Mr. Stefenson, please answer me."
"…I…I don't know…"
"I see…anyways, one other question, did you see the figure's face?"
"No I didn't…"
For the next several minutes, Mr. Stefenson told Miranda about the trial.
"Mr. Stefenson, I'd like to thank you for your time."
"Sure thing, Miranda. However, I have a question for you now."
"Yes?"
"Are you going to be appealing the conviction?"
"…to be honest, a witness who wasn't sure about his testimony, especially concerning crucial parts of the trial, isn't a just reason to convict someone. I will be appealing."
Travis was looking around him, seeing walls he hadn't seen before. So this is what it feels like to have a visitor…
Travis was escorted to a metal door. A guard took out a key and opened it. Stepping inside, Travis saw a brunette woman on the other side of the glass. Who is she?
They escorted Travis to the phone on his side of the glass. Taking the phone, Travis spoke first. "Who are you?"
"My name is Miranda Veal. I'm a defense attorney?"
"An attorney eh? Why would an attorney visit an already convicted convict?"
"Because I'm here to tell you you're getting a retrial."
"…come again?"
"I work at the same law firm your previous defense attorney worked at. He recently passed away, but he had worked on a pretty important case once." Miranda told Travis about what had happened.
Travis shook his head. "I knew there were more questions to be asked…but, in a sense, I'm afraid you're too late."
"What do you mean?"
"The Travis from before is dead. In prison…you have to adapt, trust no one."
"Mr. Sherman, I want to tell you that you can trust me. I will exonerate you! I will get you out of here!"
"And what would I do then? I once had a promising career in basketball…I'm twenty two now…my time has passed for that."
"I don't know, but why would you want to be here for something you didn't do?"
"…"
"Mr. Sherman, you didn't kill your mother. I will prove that tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?!"
"It was a stipulation for the retrial. There aren't many free judges, so the trial has to be tomorrow."
"…may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"…why?"
"Why?"
"Why are you doing this? I never knew you before. My case is four years old, out of everyone's mind."
"…it's because this is the case he never figured out."
"He?"
"Your previous defense attorney. As I said before, he died, not too long ago. However, this is the only case he still wasn't satisfied with. For the past four years, he was trying to figure out the case, only to get nowhere. I feel like if he still had his doubts, then you must be innocent…I feel like I'm getting a head start too…"
"A head start?"
"…my brother was convicted of a murder too…however, I know he isn't guilty! I feel horrible that he is still in prison for a crime he didn't commit. That's the reason I became an attorney, to get him out."
"…I still don't completely trust you…but I'll allow you to defend me tomorrow."
"Thank you Mr. Sherman. I'll make sure you won't regret it!"
"…"
Travis hung up the phone and was escorted out of the room. Miranda sighed, wiping a tear from her eye.
Travis was back outside at the basketball hoop. However, he couldn't shoot the basketball. He was trying to wipe the tears from his eyes.
Miranda arrived back at the office. Sighing, she plopped down onto her chair. Taking out the case folder, she looked it over thoroughly once again. "I'm sorry Mr. Stefenson…but I'm going to have to tear your testimony apart."
John Everest was sitting at his desk in his office, sipping on some coffee. He had just received the news about the retrial, and, as expected, was asked to prosecute the case. Sighing, John picked up his copy of the case report. If that Miranda girl could think of things in a couple hours that you couldn't in four years…it's going to be an interesting trial tomorrow…
Miranda was sitting in the defendant's lobby, reading over the case file one last time. The entrance door to the lobby opened. Looking up, Miranda saw a guard usher Travis into the room. "Mr. Sherman!"
Travis looked up at Miranda. "Ms. Veal…"
"Did you get a good night's sleep?"
"Not really…"
Miranda sighed. "Well, just don't fall asleep during the trial!" Miranda gave Travis a half-smile.
Why is she so…hyper? However…this does bring back memories of the previous trial…
"So, are you confident you can win?"
Miranda shook her head. "I am!"
Hyper…and loud…
The bailiff from the courtroom came into the lobby. "Ms. Veal, the trial is going to begin soon. Please make your way to the defense attorney's desk."
Miranda shook her head. "Don't worry Travis. I'll make sure you're exonerated today."
Travis shook his head. "Just don't try to use the insanity plea."
Miranda chuckled. "Will do."
As she walked into the courtroom, Miranda smiled. At least he cracked a joke…instead of being so serious…
Miranda walked to her desk and sat down. Looking across from her, she saw Prosecutor Everest. So they asked him to prosecute this trial again…
Soon, the judge walked into the room. "All rise!"
Everyone stood up, again, with the exception of Travis. The judge banged his gavel. "Court is now in session for the retrial of Travis Sherman."
John sighed. "The prosecution is ready, your honor."
"The…um…defense…is ready, your honor."
Travis shook his head. She doesn't seem as confident as she was two seconds ago…
"Miranda Veal, was it?"
"Y—yes, your honor."
"If I were you, I'd calm down your nerves for the sake of your client. Anyways, Mr. Everest, you may begin with your opening statement."
"Yes, your honor." John walked in front of his desk. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered today, to make sure, this man is guilty. As stated, four years ago, in a previous trial, this man, Travis Stutsman, killed his own mother. I am here, to prove it yet again."
The judge shook his head. "I assume you want to present the same evidence as before?"
"Yes, your honor."
John took out a photo of the crime scene. "My first piece of evidence. You can see the stab wounds on the victim's chest."
The judge shook his head. "The court accepts this into evidence."
Miranda looked at John. He's being a bit more fast paced than last trial…at least, from what I've read…
John took out a knife. "This is the murder weapon, kept all these years in a vault. It is the same as it was four years ago. It was from the victim's kitchen. Now, what makes this decisive evidence is that the defendant's bloody fingerprints are on the knife."
The judge shook his head. "The court accepts this into evidence."
John shook his head. "Now, before a certain lady objects, there is an explanation as to why the defendant's right hand fingerprints are on the knife, when he is indeed, left handed."
The judge shook his head. "Please give us your explanation then."
"Rather than I explain it, let my witness explain it for you."
The judge nodded. "You may call your witness."
"The prosecution calls Mike Stefenson to the stand!"
Mike slowly walked up to the witness stand. "Name and occupation witness."
"Mike Stefenson…I'm retired."
"Mr. Stefenson, I'm sorry I have to put you through this once more, but can you please tell the court what happened that day?"
"Yes sir."
Miranda took a deep breath. Here it is! Time to blow this testimony wide open!
"I was watering my flowers when Travis came home from college. He entered the house quickly once he got home. A couple minutes later, I saw he had left the door open. Walking over, I rang the doorbell, but didn't get a response. Walking inside, I looked at the kitchen to the right, and heard footsteps to the left. Looking over, I saw a figure of a man rush into the bedroom, his hand touching the doorknob."
John shook his head. "You were a lot more thorough than last trial. I commend you for that."
The judge banged his gavel. "Ms. Veal, your cross-examination please."
Miranda shook her head. I need to question his concerning a few things…but I should get all the info I can get for right now…
"I was watering my flowers when Travis came home from college—"
"Hold on! I read from the case report that you usually water your flowers during the afternoon, correct?"
"Yes."
"So it was the same for that day too?"
"That is correct."
John shook his head. "We already went through this last trial."
"OBJECTION! I need to make sure what I read before was correct! If I don't know all the information, I can't properly defend my client!"
John scoffed and shook his head. "I will tell you one thing, you are much more…feisty…than Mr. Fulligan. Anyways, please continue witness."
"He entered the house quickly once he got home—"
"Hold on! What do you mean by that?"
"Well, usually, it takes Travis around ten seconds to unlock the door. However, this time, he stopped for a second, then ran in."
This…could be important…I should keep this in mind later…
"A couple minutes later, I saw he had left the door open—"
"Hold on! You didn't notice it until a couple minutes later?"
"Yes. I was in my backyard for a couple minutes refilling my watering bin. When I went back out to the front, I saw the door was wide open."
"OBJECTION!"
Everyone looked at Miranda. "Mr. Stefenson, may I ask you something?"
"Yes?"
"How good is your hearing?"
"I can still hear perfectly."
"Hm…I see…"
John slammed on his desk. "What was the meaning of that 'objection' Ms. Veal?"
"It's something that you have to think about for a while, but once it hits you, you can't believe you missed it before."
"What is it?"
"Ordinarily, when a person is going to be stabbed, they scream. Now, since the door was wide open, you would expect to hear a scream."
John stared at Miranda. "What are you implying?"
"I'm saying if the murder happened when Travis arrived, with the door wide open…"
Miranda pointed at Mike. "Mr. Stefenson would have heard the altercation!"
The crowd burst into chatter.
"She's right! He would have at least heard something!"
The judge banged his gavel. "Order! Order! Ms. Veal, this wasn't discussed in the previous trial.."
"I know. That puts into question exactly when the crime took place."
"OBJECTION!" John slammed on his desk. "The witness already stated that he went into his backyard for a couple minutes! He may not have heard it from there!"
"OBJECTION! His back yard is still outside! He would still be able to hear something!"
"Ngh…"
The judge slammed his gavel. "It appears the time of the crime may be different than what we originally thought."
John sighed. "Hmph, no matter. That's just one trivial matter."
Miranda slammed on her desk. "Trivial? The court is no longer sure the crime occurred when he got home!"
John sighed. "I'll deal with that later. For now, there is more testimony to be heard."
The judge nodded. "Agreed. Let's listen to the rest of his testimony."
Miranda shook her head. "Very well." I at least found something to grasp onto. Even if the rest of the cross-examination doesn't go my way…we still have to look into this!
"Walking over, I rang the doorbell, but didn't get a response—"
"Hold on! So you ringing the doorbell was you trying to get their attention?"
"Yes. I was unaware of what had happened, so, trying to be a good neighbor, tried to let them know the door was open."
"I see…"
John looked at Mike. "You may continue with your testimony."
"Walking inside, I looked at the kitchen to the right—"
"Hold on! Why look into the kitchen?"
"Well, you see, Travis's mom always seemed to be baking something, so I thought she would be in there. I didn't see anyone there. However, I did notice there was a steak knife missing."
He said that in the previous trial too. It must have been the murder weapon.
"Mr. Everest?"
"Yes?"
"Do you have a picture of the kitchen from that day?"
"…I do. After all, the murder weapon was taken from there."
The judge banged his gavel. "Please present the photo as evidence!"
John took out a photo. "Here you go."
Miranda took a look at the photo, noticing the missing knife from the set.
Wait a minute…
Miranda took out the photo of Travis's mom's body. "OBJECTION!"
John sighed. "What is it this time Miranda?"
"Your honor, we may have an important piece of evidence completely wrong!"
"W—what do you mean, Ms. Veal?"
Miranda pointed to the picture of the kitchen. "Your honor, I'm sure you've noticed by now the missing knife from the set."
"Yes I have. It's hard NOT to see it."
"Notice how bit the hold to insert the knife is."
"Hmmm…"
Miranda then showed the crime scene photo. "Now, take a look to the stab wounds on the victim's body."
"Hmmm…! D—do you mean!?"
"Yes."
Miranda slammed on her desk. "The wounds on the body are bigger than the hole holding the knife in the kitchen!"
John was taken aback. "W—WHAT!?"
"It's quite clear. The knife you claim to be the murder weapon, wasn't indeed the murder weapon. May I see the knife?"
The bailiff went and grabbed the knife and handed it to Miranda. "Looking at the knife, you can see it's rather slim, not as wide as the knife wounds in her body!"
The crowd burst into chatter once more. "She's right again! That knife couldn't have killed her!"
"Was Travis's first trial really unfair after all?"
"OBJECTION!" John slammed on his desk. "Ms. Veal…how does that change anything?"
"It changes a lot of things! The 'bloody fingerprints' on this knife, is just a fabrication!"
"F—fabrication!? I didn't do a thing to them!"
"I know you didn't. However, I'm sure who did."
"W—who? Who fabricated the knife!?"
"The real killer!"
John gasped. "I—it…no, that's not it!"
"Why isn't it? Your honor, may I give my version of events to the court?"
"Yes you may."
"Travis returned from his first day of college. For some unknown reason, he was able to quickly go inside his house. Looking for his mother, he went into the bedroom, where he discovered the crime scene. He got into a scuffle with the murderer, who knocked him unconscious. Once unconscious, The killer was able to fabricate this knife!"
The crowd burst into chatter. "She has a point…that could have happened!"
"OBJECTION!" John slammed on his desk again. "If that were the case, then we would have seen his fingerprints on the knife as well! The police could find no such thing!"
"Which brings me to my next point. Why aren't there any fingerprints on the knife? The answer is actually quite simple."
John started breathing a bit heavier. "What is this 'answer'?"
"The real killer was wearing gloves!"
"WHAT?!"
"Think about it, that's why you weren't able to find his fingerprints. They were hiding underneath the gloves!"
"OBJECTION! That's not correct! The witness stated that he saw a 'hand' touch the doorknob! Not a glove!"
"OBJECTION! I spoke with him two days ago! He wasn't sure if he was wearing gloves or not!"
"Is this true witness?!"
"…yes, it's true…"
"Grgh…this…this can't be happening!"
"Your honor, why stop there? Why only fabricate one piece of evidence? Why not more?"
"More?"
"The fingerprints on the doorknob, for one. It would be as easy to fabricate that as it would be the knife."
"I…see! That would be possible!"
"Also, concerning the broken bed post…Mr. Everest, would you please present the photo as evidence?"
John sighed and took out the photograph. "Here, we found that the bed post closest to the defendant was damaged. The wound on the defendant's head matched perfectly with the damage to the bed post…"
"About that…that was forged too."
"What?"
"Travis was unconscious. There was no way Travis could stop someone from smashing his head into a bed post."
"Hrngh…"
Miranda smiled. "Your honor, with all these doubts, the defense claims…that it is impossible to fairly give out a guilty verdict!"
"OBJECTION! Even if you managed to present a theory, a guilty verdict can still—"
"It's innocent until proven guilty. You 'proved' him guilty before, but I put your proof in doubt. You haven't proven him guilty now, unless you can counter the evidence."
"Gah…"
Miranda smiled even wider. I did it…I won!
"STOP!"
Everyone looked at Mike. "Not yet! Not until I'm done testifyin!"
"Mr. Stefenson?"
"I'm not done testifying! There's something I know that no one asked me to testify about!"
"What is it?"
"I know Travis is the killer, and I know that because no one else went into the house that day!"
"No one?"
"No! I was outside most of the day. It was a beautiful day, so I was out on my porch, reading. I can tell you no one came in or out of the house!"
John stood up straight, and nodded. "I completely forgot about that. Your honor, this was mentioned in the last trial as well. No one entered the house that day besides Travis!"
The crowd started talking amongst themselves, before the judge quieted them down. John cleared his throat. "I have a question for our defendant."
Travis looked at John. "What is it?"
"What was the reason you were able to enter the house so quickly?"
"…."
"Come on, please tell the court the truth."
"…the door was cracked open."
Miranda looked at Travis. "What?!"
Travis shook his head. "There's no doubt about that…it was cracked open."
John smirked. "Thank you Travis."
"OBJECTION! How does that change anything? If the door was cracked open, that would mean that the killer entered through the front door!"
"And yet, our witness claims no one went through that door except for Travis. Besides, one could be airing out the house as well, with a cracked door open."
"Hngh…"
"Since the 'real killer' couldn't have entered the house, then your theory of the 'real killer' just went out the window!"
