ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 71

" Please state your name for the record, ma'am? ," Paul asked gently.

Keisha sat in the witness box with a steely look in her eyes and a pinched set to her full lips. " Keisha Duncan. '

" Ma'am, what is your relationship to the first victim in this case? "

She took a deep breath and exhaled it. " He is my son. My second born son. Jamal. "

" I do sympathize with you and your son, ma'am. I will not take up too much of your time today. Were you present on the day of the accident? "

" I was. "

" What exactly did you witness that day ? "

" I witnessed that woman after hitting my boy taking off again and hitting the car with Dr. Kendall and his son Alan. That's what I saw. "

" Thank you, ma'am. Your son. How is he doing now? Since the accident? "

" Jamal is depressed. And angry. He was never like that before. He was always my happy sweet smart little boy. And the doctor said he has a certain amount of brain damage. He can't remember a lot of things now. Like his name at times. Or even his sister and brother's names. "

" I'm very sorry, ma'am. Your son was a very good student before the hit and run? He was accepted to several colleges? "

Keisha nodded slowly. " Yes. He was always so smart. He started reading at four. He was accepted early admission to five colleges for next fall. I don't know if he will be able to attend though. Now."

" Again I am very sorry, ma'am. No further questions. "

As he retook his seat Claire stood up and smiled compassionately at the Black woman who stared back at her. " I also sympathize with your situation, Mrs. Duncan. "

" Ms. Duncan. I am not married. "

" Of course. Now, Ms. Duncan , you say you witnessed my client leaving the area and allegedly hitting Dr. Kendall's car. But did you actually see her hit your son ? "

Keisha hesitated. " Well..... no. I didn't see her actually hit Jamal. I was in my cafe. I was working. But I heard it. I heard it and I rushed outside. It sounded bad. I heard a screaming. It sounded like Jamal. And I saw him..... on the ground."

" It was a school day. What exactly was your son doing out in the middle of the day when he was hit , ma'am? Shouldn't he have been in school? "

" Objection ! Relevance is unclear on that question, your honor. "

" Sustained. "

" Ms. Duncan , did you also see a gang of people of different races , mainly Black, surrounding my client's car that day as well? "

"It was not a gang. But yes. There were people near the car. Most left before the police arrived. "

" It was not a gang but do you think my client was ever in fear for her own safety that moment in time? "

" Objection ! Leading the witness. "

" Sustained. "

Claire smiled slightly. " No further questions. "