IRIS BEAUTY

COURT CASE PT.2

CORA'S POV:

I just got to the courthouse and the trial is about to start and I'm feeling anxious about it. Last night I thought about Houston wondering If he worked everything out with Lauren, I told him I would contact him every month to give news about the baby......

Judge: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. resuming the case of thePeople of the State of California versus (defendant's first name). Areboth sides ready?

District Attorney: Ready for the People, Your Honor.

Cora: Ready for the defense, Your Honor

Judge: Will the clerk please swear in the jury?

( everyone stands up)

Clerk: Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand? Do each of you swear that you will fairly try thecase before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according tothe evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you, God? Pleasesay "I do".

[Wait for jurors to say "I do."]

Clerk: You may be seated.

Judge: Does the defense wish to ask any questions?

( Cora stands up)

Cora : Yes, Your Honor.

Cora : Officer, when you pulled the car over, you orderedmy client to turn off the ignition, didn't you?

Officer: Yes, I did.

Cora: So you saw the defendant touch the keys?

Officer: Yes.

Cora: Do you know how far Martinez Car Sales is from thedowntown Martinez freeway exit?

Officer: Yes, it's about half a mile from there.

Cora: Thank you. I have no further questions.

Judge: The witness is excused.

( the witness to leaves thestand.)

Judge: Does the prosecution have any other witnesses?

Deputy DA: Yes, Your Honor. The People call the fingerprintexaminer.

(Bailiff takes the witness to the witness stand.)

Clerk: Please stand. Raise your right hand. Do you promise that thetestimony you shall give in the case now before this court shall be thetruth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Expert: I do.

Clerk: Please state your first and last name.

Expert: Rick Costa

Clerk: You may be seated.

Reporter: Please spell your last name for the record.

Expert: C-O-S-T-A

( The DA stands up)

Deputy DA: Mr. Rick, where do you work?

Expert: I am employed by the Sydney County Sheriff'sDepartment. I have been a qualified fingerprint examiner for 10 years.

(The DA takes the keys to the witness stand and showwitness the keys.)

Deputy DA: Have you ever seen these keys before?

(The Expert looks at keys.)

Expert: Yes. I was asked to check them forfingerprints at my lab.

Deputy DA: Did you find any fingerprints on the keys as a result ofyour testing?

Expert: Yes. There were several clear print impressions.