Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Runaway Killers #Wattys2015

Chapter 5: The Gentleman Witness

Maya and I were back behind the defence bench, eager to start the trial again. "Court will now reconvene." The judge said. "Ms.von Karma, is your witness ready?" Franziska nodded. "He is indeed ready. The prosecution calls its witness to the stand: the man who witnessed the defendant at the crime scene with his very eyes!"

The witness took his place at the witness stand seconds later. His hair was a sleek brown and wore an expensive-looking suit. "Witness," Franziska said. "Please state your name and occupation." The witness bowed to her. "Of course. My name is Lowton. Henry Lowton. I am a university student studying archaeology." He had a particularly strong British accent. Maya turned to look at me. "This guy seems agreeable." I was still skeptical. He may seem friendly on the outside, but what if...?

I checked the witness' profile in the Court Record. He was 21. For some reason, I was immediatly reminded of my university days at Ivy University. "Well, Mr.Lowton," the judge said. "Please begin your testimony. What did you see on the day of the murder?" Mr.Lowton nodded. "It would be my pleasure. A gentleman never turns down a request, after all."

                                                             Witness Testimony

                                                           -What I Witnessed-

"I was strolling through the forest, thinking about my future at university."

"All of a sudden, a scream pierced the air! I was terrified."

"I heard the scream come from the nearby building. I believe it was a medical clinic."

"I rushed to the scene and saw the broken window. I stepped over the glass shards and peered inside."

"There he was... that boy, the defendant... he was stood over the victim, knife in hand."

"After he noticed me, he fled the scene. I tried to stop him, but he got away."

"I immediately called the police to report the crime."

"And that is what happened. Every last detail. Surely this testimony decides the verdict?" Franziska said sweetly to the judge. (Is she really going to try that?) I thought. The judge shook his head. "I will hold off on the verdict until the defense carries out the cross-examination. Mr.Wright, if you would." (That's my cue! Time to see if this guy is really telling the truth!)

                                                         Cross-Examination

"I was strolling through the forest, thinking about my future at university."

"All of a sudden, a scream pierced the air! I was terrified."

"I heard the scream come from a nearby building. I believe it was a medical clinic."

"I rushed to the scene and saw the broken window. I stepped over the glass shards and peered inside."

"There he was...that boy, the defendant... he was stood over the victim, knife in hand."

"After he noticed me, he fled the scene. I tried to stop him, but he got away."

"I immediately called the police to report the crime."

                                                             HOLD IT!

"So, after the defendant ran away, you called the police?" I questioned Mr.Lowton. He paused for a second before answering. "Well, technically, almost immediately." (Almost immediately?) I thought. "I thought there was a slim chance the victim might still be alive, so I checked her pulse." he continued. "But alas, there was no pulse to be found." Mr. Lowton's voice grew frustrated. "She had already passed away by the time I got to her." He slammed a fist down onto the witness stand. (So she was already dead, huh?) "There, there, young man." the judge said. "You needn't blame yourself for her death. You did everything you could."