A Case of Love (COMPLETED)

Chapter VI

"Please all rise. Makati Trial Court Branch 38. The court is now in session. Silence is hereby enjoined. The honorable Julius Francisco presiding"

The judge hit the gavel and everyone in the court seated.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this case involves the killing of Alfredo Santos. In this case, Virgil Santos, 50 years old, is the plaintiff and Tina Aurello, 45 years old, is the defendant. Virgil Santos is asking you to decide whether or not Tina Aurello killed his deceased brother, Alfredo Santos. Miss Aurello's lawyer, do you wish to make an opening statement?"

Lea stood up straight, "The evidence in this case will prove that on Friday, April 19, Alfredo Santos came home drunk at exactly 10pm in the evening because he was terminated from his work as a supervisor in a hotel. He beat up my client making her arms got dislocated with an injured head. Her physical exams result show that she's not capable of doing the accusation and that she has been wrongly accused of killing Alfredo Santos"

After Lea's opening statement, Aga started his' , "Ladies and gentlemen, my client, Virgil Santos, is the brother of the deceased. The knife was the weapon used to kill the victim matched with the fingerprints of the suspect. Tina Aurello was found at the scene crime holding the said weapon beside the dead body of the victim when the policemen arrived"

"Do you wish to have a translator?"

Lea explained to Tina that if she cannot understand English, all questions to be asked at her will be translated to her chosen language. She simply nodded and Lea answered the judge, "Your honor, my client cannot fully understand the English language. She wants to translate all questions to her in Filipino language". The judge approved and they started the questioning.

"Atty. Salazar, please call your first witness." the judge ordered.

"I call Tina Aurello to the witness stand" Lea said.

"Itaas ang kanang kamay. Nangangako ka ba na ang lahat ng iyong sasabihin ay buong katotohanan at pawang katotohanan lamang?", the court reporter asked.

"Opo"

"Sabihin mo ang iyong pangalan" Lea started to ask Tina.

"Tina Aurello"

"Ilang taon na kayong nagsasam ni Alfredo Santos?"

"10 years po attorney"

"Madalas ka ba niyang saktan?"

"Yes po attorney. Halos gabi-gabi po pag umuuwi siya galing trabaho"

"Kung ganun bakit hindi mo siya hiniwalayan at umabot pa ng sampung taon ang pagsasama niyo?"

"Wala po kase akong ibang mapupuntahan attorney" she's teary-eyed. "Wala na po akong mga magulang. Wala din po akong kapatid at sa loob ng sampung taon, siya na po ang bumubuhay sa akin"

"Maari mo bang isalaysay ang buong nangyare sa gabi ng pagpatay sa biktima?"

"Opo. Dumating po siya ng lasing, galit siya dahil tinanggal raw siya sa trabaho. Napapadalas na po kase ang paglalasing niya kaya minsan kahit nakainom, pumapasok parin siya. Dahil po sa galit niya, sa akin niya po naibuntong. Takot na takot po ako" tears are falling down her cheeks "ang dami niya pong masasakit na salitang sinasabi sa akin. Kaya ... hindi ko na ho kase nakayanan pa. K-kinuha ko p-po yung kutsilyo at .... sinaksak ko po siya"

Aga smirked. The suspect admitted the crime, with no sweat, he won. Lea, on the other hand, glance at Aga. She knew what he's thinking of. She won't give him satisfaction. He winked at her to annoy her more.