The Weeping One (MXW)

Worthy

***Aubrey's POV***

"The defense rests." The Defense Attorney announced.

"Prosecutor, your witness." I proclaimed.

"Lacy, you stated that you accidentally smothered Exavier with your thighs during birth. Did you try to resuscitate?" The Prosecutor leads.

"I did try to give my son mouth to mouth. It was too late." Lacy confirms.

"Why did you discard your child? Were you trying to cover up the fact that he was murdered?" The Prosecutor continues.

"Objection." The D.A. shouts.

"Please refrain from accusing the witness." I demand.

"I was scared. I was angry. I wanted to forget that any of this happened. I didn't know what to do." Lacy admits.

"So you threw your son away." The Prosecutor scoffs.

"You can't imagine how it felt to carry him for 9 months in secret. I had no one! Not one person knew the secrets hidden below my clothes. Not one person recognized the pain I carried within the confines of my own ribs. No one! I was scared and I was alone. I didn't know what to do." Lacy cried.

"Did you think to call the police?" The Prosecutor throws in a duh tone.

"Honestly, I couldn't think. I couldn't think thru the physical and emotional pain." Lacy gives.

"How can we believe that you are telling the truth?" The Prosecutor issues.

"I don't know." Lacy breathes out in pure pain and distress.

"You don't seem to know too much." The Prosecutor argues.

"Your honor, I have an answer." The D. A. stands from his seat.

"You may proceed." I allow.

"Was there any sign of Petechial Hemorrhage?" The D.A. raises.

"No sir!" The M.E. confirms from the prosecutor's table. Her affirmation clearly stating that he had hit the nail on the head.

The courtroom fell silent as I soaked in the last shreds of evidence I could handle.

"Please explain what the absence of Petechiae indicates." The D.A. requested.

"In a case where suffocation was manual, the small blood vessels around the nose and mouth would form spots of blue or purple that would taint the color of skin. A clear indication of a struggle. In the cases where suffocation would be accidental, this would mean there would be no physical markings, because pressure was not obtained against the skin." The Medical Examiner explained.

"Would you feel comfortable in diagnosing this particular case as an accidental suffocation?" I asked the M.E.

"Yes, your honor." She confirmed.

"The Prosecution rests." The deflated Prosecutor breathes as he steps away from Lacy.

I didn't need a recess this time. I knew what I was going to do. Every cell in my body was screaming the answer, penetrating me with the compassion I would need.

"Lacy, where are your parents now?" I question the witness.

"I don't know." She states.

"Do you have anyone who supports you emotionally?" I ask.

"We do!" A couple stands.

"May I ask how you know the defendant?" I look closely at the man and woman.