lawyer ft. criminal [COMPLETED]

kabanata 20

A/N: This is work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or use in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Enjoy ^.^

"All rise" saad ng clerk kaya tumayo kaming lahat.

Andito kami ngayon sa korte para sa arraignment at pre-trial. Hindi pa ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabe dahil sa kaba ko dito. Tinawagan ako ni ate kagabe kaya binalita ko sa kanya na ngayon araw gaganapin ang pre-trial. Nag sorry agad siya na hindi makakadalo habang si Brianna naman ay nasa Boracay pa. Naintindihan ko naman dahil may pinagdadaanan siya. 

Nasa harapan kami ni Atty Somera habang nasa kabilang panig naman ang accused at attorney nito. 

"Department One of the Superior Court is now in session. Judge Lian Fidel Bala presiding. Let's pray. Almighty God, we stand in your Holy Presence as our Supreme Judge. We humbly beseech You to bless and inspire us so that what we think, say and do will be in accordance with your will. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our spielt and fill our hearts with fraternal love, wisdom and understanding, so that we can become effective channels of truth, justice and peace. In our proceedings today, guide us in the path of righteousness for the fulfillment of Your greater glory. Amen" saad ng clerk.

" Please be seated. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case People of the Philippines versus Joel Raqueno. Are both sides ready?" tanong ng judge.

" Yes your honor" 

" Please call the case" saad ng Judge.

"Criminal Case no. 14908,  People of the Philippines vs Joel Raqueno for committing murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code" clerk of court said. 

" Thank you. Appearances?" tanong ng judge

"  Atty. Aeris Von Somera for the prosecution, your Honor, representing Bren Ignacio Corpuz " sagot ni Atty. 

"Atty Sarah Cruz for the defense your Honor, representing in behalf of the accused" sagot naman sa kabila. 

" Is the accused present?" judge

" Yes, your Honor" sagot ng defense.

" Arraign the accused. " 

Napatingin ako sa lalaking na nakaposas habang nakikinig sa harapan. Nakacorporate attire, hindi maipagkakailang makisig parin ang kawatan niya hanggang ngayon pero kita na sa kanyang mukha na tumanda na siya at ang mga buhok ang kulay puti na din. They informed him of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.

Kinuyom ko ang aking mga kamay, nanggigil sa galit dahil sa pag-aalala ang ginawa niya kay mama. Nagtama ang paningin namin at binigyan ko siya ng nakakamatay na tingin pero tinitigan niya lang ako, walang halong kaba o takot ang makikita sa mukha niya kaya mas lalong nag-init ang ulo ko. Umiwas ako ng tingin para pakalmahin ang sarili. 

"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury: the defendant has been charged with the crime murder. The evidence will show and prove that the defendant prior physical possession of the property, and unlawful deprivation of it by the defendant through force, intimidation, stratingy, threat or stealth" narinig kong saad ni Attorney Somera 

"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." rinig kong saad naman ng attorney sa kabila.

Nakikinig lang ako habang nagpapatuloy sila sa pagsasalita nang biglang nagsalita ang judge para tawagin ang witness.

"The complainant may call its witness." saad ng Judge.