Murdered By Love

Chapter 2: Day 2 pg 16-25

Chapter 3: Day 3

As both sides were getting ready for today's proceeding, The Defense Counselor Timothy Spann was more confident than ever that his client didn't commit this murder. Counselor Spann just couldn't find that one clue that would exonerate his client and clear Marlon's name. He needed proof that it was someone else beside Marlon. He was running out of options. The trial was nearing the end. There was only two more day left before Marlon was to take the stand in him own defense. Spann sat at the table with Marlon going over picture and documents from the crime scene. He was hoping to find anything that would steer this case away from his client. Marlon looked over at the prosecution then back at Counselor Spann. They look a lot less nervous than you do right now. Should I be worried about that asked Marlon? No, everything is fine replied Spann. I know that it's right here in front of us. I just have to find it. You have to find what asked Marlon? The mystery piece to this puzzle said Spann. Marlon your friend Bowleg told me about a locket that Kayla wore with both of your pictures on it. Why didn't you ever mention this to me before? It's another one of those things that slipped my mind I guess replied Marlon. Too many things are slipping from your mind Marlon. I know that you're in pain but I really need for you to start focusing on things like this that can possibly shed some light towards your innocents ok. We have to locate that locket amongst other things. Then Defense Counselor Spann looked down at the pictures in front him. He noticed the picture taken by Hakeem of Cassandra squeezing through the locked barn door of Mr. Howard. He picked up the picture and looked around to see if Mr. Howard was present in the courtroom today.

Your Honor, the Defense is ready to call its first witness said Counselor Spann. The Defense calls Mr. Gary Howard to the witness stand. Gary shocked to hear his name called got up and walked to the witness stand. He was then sworn in by Bailiff Kyle. Mr. Howard, it was you who found the body of Kayla Givens in the back of your barn is that correct asked Counselor Spann? Yes sir. I was the one that found her body replied Mr. Howard. Were you alone when you found the body? Yes sir, I was by myself answered Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard, I'm curious now, Ms. Givens body was in your barn for about two weeks is that correct? Do you normally go weeks without going to your barn? No sir, I don't. So why did it take two weeks this time between visits asked Counselor Spann? Well sir, the last time I was there plowing my fields I jumped down off my tractor and landed on a snake. That sucker had bitten me in a pretty good spot. I was feeling sick for about two weeks after that. I wasn't feeling well that day but I knew I needed to get out there to tend my crops and feed my horses. Sorry to heard about that. I hope you're feeling better now added Counselor Spann. Yes sir I feel much better now replied Mr. Howard. Mr. Howard, can you take us through the events when you found Ms. Givens body in your barn? Yes sir I can. I walked across the street from my house opened the barn and found the body lying by my horses. Good Mr. Howard said Counselor Spann. Now when you got to the barn door did you just open it and walked right in? Well no sir. You see I had to unlock the door at first that's when I smell of her dead body consumed answered Mr. Howard. Are you sure that you had to unlock the barn door before you entered asked Counselor Spann? Yes sir. I always lock my barn door. Can't be too careful, I don't want my horses getting out or someone to get in. Mr. Howard are you absolutely sure that you unlocked the barn door before entering into it asked again Counselor Spann? Objection shouted Prosecutor Daniels. The witness has already stated that he unlocked the barn door Your Honor. Sustained replied Judge Claiborne. Is this line of questioning going anywhere Counselor? Yes Your Honor it is. The Defense would like to enter into evidence defense exhibit A. This is a photo taken by Counselor Manning of Counselor Atkins at the Mr. Howard' Barn. Mr. Howard will you verify for the court that this is your barn in this photo. Spann Hands the photo to Mr. Howard. Yes sir that's my barn that she's trying to squeeze into. Counselor Spann takes the photo over to the jury so that they could get a good look at it. Mrs. Atkins do you mind standing up so the court can see you asked Counselor Spann? Cassandra stood up and presented herself to the court. Now as you can see Mrs. Atkins is a very small woman compared to Mr. Edwards. I don't see how a man his size could possible get into a locked and chained door that a woman the size of Mrs. Atkins would have to squeeze her way through with help from Counselor Manning. It's just not possible for my client to have been able to get through that door. I have one final question for you Mr. Howard. Your barn it pretty big and has no lights on the inside of it. Do you think that a person with no knowledge of your barn could navigate through it in the dark? No sir I don't thinks so. I even have problems going in there at night replied Mr. Howard. Thanks no further question said Counselor Spann.