Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 41: Turnabout Regrets - Trial 1 ~ Part 1

September 6 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1 ~ Cotoli Morix's POV

"M-My name was written in the victim's blood...?" Chrysalis stammered. I nodded slowly, that fact being one of many facts that prevented me from getting any sleep the previous night.

"I'm sure it was just the killer's cruddy attempt to pin the crime on you!" James smiled, although the smile twitched slightly. "What confuses me the most is who tried to clean it away afterwards..."

I had an idea as to who could have done it, but I didn't voice my opinions just yet. James would panic and Chrysalis... I'm actually not too sure.

"Defence! Defendant! Proceed into the courtroom!" the bailiff demanded. James jumped a little at the bailiff's loud voice, but quickly regained his composure.

"Well... we'd better head in." I told them. James nodded confidently while Chrysalis had no reaction. "We'll be okay in there." I whispered to my youngest sister. "I promise."

September 6 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is now in session for the trial of Chrysalis Starr." the judge announced, slamming his gavel. "Is the defense ready?"

"Yes, Your Honour." I responded, James giving a quick nod from beside me. I also noticed how empty the gallery was. Was this case confidential because of the crime scene being related to Chrysalis' project...?

"Very good. And the prosecution?" The judge turned to the other side of the courtroom, where Lily's brother and Ms. Wood were stood, the latter giving James a shy wave.

"Prosecution's ready." Prosecutor Shield muttered. "Now, onto my opening statement..."

"Um, Prosecutor Shield?" the judge intervened. "I haven't said-"

"ZIP IT, OLD MAN!"

Ms. Wood jumped at the sudden raise in Prosecutor Shield's voice, her glasses becoming slightly crooked. "Sorry." Prosecutor Shield muttered to her as she was re-adjusting her spectacles. "Anyway, the crime took place at the local prison. There were two victims of this crime, one of murder and one of assault. The murder victim was one Phillip Brooks, a local police officer. The victim of assault was Chiaki Taikan, a spirit medium. Both suffered head injuries, but of very different kinds, suggesting a different kind of weapon was used in each attack."

"I wonder how they were different..." James murmured. Ms. Wood shuffled around with the pile of evidence she had in front of her and pulled out some kind of report, most likely the autopsy. She looked happy to read it aloud at first, but eventually froze and shook her head rapidly, handing the report over to Prosecutor Shield. Ghastly had often told me how she hesitates in court a lot. He thought it was pretty cute. Prosecutor Shield cleared his throat and read the report aloud:

Name: Phillip Brooks
Age: 34
Cause of Death: Instant death caused by a horizontal cut on the head

"A horizontal cut...?" James repeated. "I've never heard of that happening before. How in the world was that inflicted?"