Nothing But A Tragedy

Chap. 25: To Free or Not To Free

Brandon
January 4, 2016; 6:20 a.m.

Today is the day that Niyah has her trial, and I'm scared as hell. The information Sel found was solid and should prove Niyah isn't guilty, but the witnesses against Niyah seem more powerful. The lawyer did say, that the witnesses can be discounted for since he found gang backgrounds for all of them, the gang Kayla was in. He said if he could prove they're bias they wouldn't count for much, and the knife used to kill Kayla doesn't even have Niyah's DNA on it. Sel thinks Kayla's ex boyfriend killed her over some drug money she didn't pay back, and she even got evidence of him threatening her a few days before. It's looking good right for us right now but, you never know.

A guard came out and we all looked at him. "The trial for Niyah Hernandez is about to start, we're asking her family and friends to come in."

I stood and looked over at Niyah's mom and dad, they looked nervous, and I don't blame them. The court is weird and it could go either way, but I'm hoping for the best.

"Good luck Brandon." I turned to Sel and raised my eyebrow, "You not coming in?"

"Nah this isn't my place. I kinda, have a bad rep in this family."

"You helped me to clear all this up, come in. Niyah's pretty forgiving, sometimes. Just come in." She nodded and grabbed her bag walking up to the door. Gia eyed her and looked at me walking over, "You better not be cheating on Niyah that Puerto Rican bitch. It doesn't make sense for you to keep her around knowing she wants you."

"I have to be nice to her Gee, she's saving your sister's ass right now."

"Yeah whatever, my leg has an ugly ass scar from that kick she gave me. And I still want to rearrange her face." I smiled and wrapped my arm around Gia's neck, "You'll get your minutes soon, sis-in-law."

"Are you all ready to go in?" The guard asked.

"Yes we are." Mrs. Hernandez said and he opened the door. I looked up at God and said a quick prayer, praying for Niyah the most and for all of us to have strength to handle whatever happens.

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2:39 p.m.

"I'd like to call Brandon Carrasco to the stand." My eyes widened and I looked at the lawyer, then to Niyah's mother. She tilted her head up towards the stand and I stood, walking up to witness stand.

"Raise your right hand and place your left on the bible." I did as he said and looked around the court. Instantly to Niyah, she looked nervous but I gave her a small smile for encouragement.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do." The deputy (or whoever tf does this) told me to sit and I did, looking at the prosecutor who was approaching me. I didn't talk to anyone about this, so I'm just gonna talk to them how I see it on TV shows.

"Please state your name for the court."

"Brandon Carrasco."

"And what is your relation to the defendant and to the deceased plantiff, Ms. Kayla Johnson."

"Niyah is my beautiful girlfriend and the mother of my two children, and Kayla is my ex-girlfriend."

"I assume this calling came to you by surprise Mr. Carrasco?"

"Uh yes, I didn't know I'd be a witness for this case." I didn't know, and I don't know why Niyah's lawyer didn't bother to tell me before. I looked over to him and he looked confused too. He shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head, giving a "I didn't know" shrug. I looked back to the prosecutor.