Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 42: Turnabout Regrets - Trial 1 ~ Part 2

September 6 10:45am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1 ~ Chrysalis Starr's POV

"As I was saying..." Detective Kirigiri continued. "Genocide Jack did not commit this murder or the assault. If he had, both Officer Brooks and Ms. Taikan would have been suspended by pairs of scissors."

"B-But Ms. Taikan was suspended!" the judge objected.

"Yes, she was. But not in the traditional way." the detective pointed out with a slight smirk. "You see, Genocide Jack suspends his victims by piercing their wrists, not through the sleeves of their clothes. And if that isn't enough, the message 'BLOODBATH FEVER' written in the victim's blood wasn't found at either scene. So while I agree that Jack suspended Ms. Taikan, I do not believe he attacked her or killed Officer Brooks."

"So... he was just trying to make it look like he attacked her?" James concluded. "But why? Why would a serial killer try to fake a crime?"

I glanced at Prosecutor Wood, secretly hoping that GJ would come out at some point. She, however, didn't share my enthusiasm: she was looking incredibly nervous, gripping her left arm tightly. I guessed Cotoli had noticed her nervousness as well, as he himself looked quite worried.

"If that's all," Detective Kirigiri sighed. "I think it's about time the prosecution called their next witness to the stand. I have to return to the investigation."

Detective Kirigiri stepped down from the stand and left the courtroom, a relieved sigh escaping my lips. Now GJ could come out with nobody to harm her. All I had to do was convince Prosecutor Wood to let her come out.

"Ah! That reminds me!" Prosecutor Wood gasped. "The detective got back to me about that glove that James found at the crime scene! Turns out that is WAS the victim's blood on it!"

James' eyes lowered themselves to the ground, his hands behind his back. What was up with him...?

"Anyway, the detective is most likely right." Roberto sighed. "The prosecution calls it's next witness to the stand. Mondo Owada... if you please."

Mondo Owada?! You mean that big guy with the purple eyes and the weird corn-shaped hair and the knife and-

"State your name and occupation, witness." Roberto instructed. Oh. I guess Mr. Owada took his place at the stand while I wasn't paying attention.

"Mondo Owada." he grumbled. "I'm serving time in prison."

"Ah, yes, I remember you." the judge continued. "So you witnessed this crime as well, did you?"

"Well, not exactly..." Mr. Owada shrugged. "But I did see something."

"Very well." the judge nodded. "In that case, please begin your testimony, witness."

- Witness Testimony -

- What I Witnessed -

"So there was some kinda jailbreak, right? Of that Templeton guy?"

"Him and some other fella ran by my cell, muttering something."

"They said something like 'we'll deal with her later'."

"See?! The ones who attacked that medium chick was Templeton and his mate!"

"Goodness!" the judge exclaimed. "A testimony that proves the defendant's innocence clearer than crystal clear!"

"I agree... at least, on the assault side of things." Roberto huffed. "This witness has yet to mention who committed the murder."

"Well, it must've been the same dude, right?" Mr. Owada suggested. "I mean, maybe the medium walked in on him killing the cop..."

My name was cleared for the assault, at least... But everyone still thinks I killed Officer Brooks! I glanced at Cotoli: he looked almost ready to burst into tears. I honestly felt the same. I was so distracted that I didn't hear the sneeze from the other side of the courtroom.

"Hang on, you scrawly sons of guns!!"

I looked up, my vision blurred by the tears that had formed in my eyes. Everyone looked just as shocked as me as we stared upon the figure standing on the prosecution bench, red scarf flowing in the non-existent breeze.

"GJ...?!" I gasped. Panic began to make my heart race as I turned to James, seeing his beyond surprised expression: he didn't know about Prosecutor Wood's split personalities!

"You all think Starry's the killer?!" GJ screamed, her balled fists shaking. "Yeah, as if! I'll tell you all who REALLY did it: it was me!!"

"WHAT?!" the rest of us exclaimed in sync. This would be the point where the gallery exploded into noise and chatter, except there was no gallery.

"You heard me!" GJ grinned. "I committed both heinous acts of violence! Go on, arrest me! Arrest me right here, right now!"

She jumped down from the bench and allowed the bailiffs to handcuff her and drag her away. I wanted to call after her, but my voice just wouldn't work.

"W-Well..." the judge cleared his throat, clearly trying to regain his composure. "The prosecution's co-counsel has confessed to these crimes. Because of this, Ms. Starr will be released from custody and both sides will be given more time to investigate. Is this understood?"

"Yes, Your Honour..." Cotoli agreed. Roberto just nodded slowly, and the judge brought down the gavel to close the case for the day.

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