Roses Have Thorns

The Public Defender

Bailiff: All rise. Department One of the Superior Court is now in session. Judge Leona presiding. Please be seated.

Judge Leona: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case of the People of the State of California versus Jeremiah. Are both sides ready?

Eloise (District Attorney, DA): Ready for the People, Your Honor.

Becky (Public Defender): Ready for the defense, Your Honor

Judge Leona: Will the clerk please swear in the jury?

Clerk: Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand?

[Wait for everyone to stand.]

Clerk continued: Do each of you swear that you will fairly try the case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according to the evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you, God? Please say "I do".

Jurors: I do

Clerk: You may be seated.

Eloise (Deputy DA): [Stand up and talk to the jury.] Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury: the defendant has been charged with the crime of driving or taking a car belonging to someone else, without the permission of the owner. The evidence will show that a 2004 Corvette was stolen on the night of February 8th. The next day the defendant was arrested driving the stolen car. The defendant's fingerprints were on the keys used to steal the car. The evidence I present will prove to you that the defendant is guilty as charged.

Becky (Public Defender): [Stand up and talk to the jury.] Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury: under the law my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. During this trial, you will hear no real evidence against my client. You will come to know the truth: that Jeremiah was just riding in a car stolen by someone else. After finding out that the car was stolen, Jeremiah was just trying to do the right thing by returning the car to its owner. Therefore my client is not guilty.

....

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

Car Owner: I do.

Clerk: Please state your first and last name.

Car Owner: James Martinez

Clerk: you maybe seated

Eloise (Deputy DA): James, where do you work?

James: I own Martinez Car Sales

Eloise (Deputy DA): What is the address of your business?

James: 102 Main Street, Martinez.

Eloise (Deputy DA): Were you working there on February 8th?

James: Yes, I was.

Eloise (Deputy DA): Was one of the cars you had for sale a 2004 red Corvette license number 5CBX239?

James: Yes.

Eloise (Deputy DA): Did you see the car on the lot on February 8th?

James: Yes. The car was there when we closed that night.

Eloise (Deputy DA): Did you see the car again on February 9th?

James: No. It was missing when I got to work that morning.