episode 2 – courtroom showdownReyna’s life becomes a stage for the public to judge—whether or not they are in the jury box.
Reyna’s life becomes a stage for the public to judge—whether or not they are in the jury box.
The District Attorney’s Case
The District Attorney removes his hand from his eyes while his elbows rest on his desk with the case notes before him. He shakes his head before making his way to the courtroom.
Reyna sits at the defendant’s table with a court-appointed lawyer. The bailiff commands the courtroom to rise before the judge takes her seat. Weeks have flashed by like the blink of an eye. Reyna is facing attempted murder charges. The District Attorney makes his opening argument.
“Don’t be fooled by the defendant’s frail-looking appearance. This woman is on trial for a crime this city cannot tolerate. Motivated by pure jealousy and rage, she committed a malicious act of violence that nearly resulted in another citizen’s death. This crime was committed in full view of an entire neighborhood whose justice you’re charged with rendering.”
The bailiff swears in the first witness before the district attorney continues.
“Please state your name for the court.”
Clearing his throat, the aged man replies, “Mi nombre es Marco Pollo.”
“Pardon me. Can you speak English, or do you need a translator?”
“Sí. My name is… Marco…”
“…Pollo?”
“Sí.”
“Okay, Mr. Pollo, please tell the court what you saw on the evening in question.”
“Sí. A crowd was looking up in the air, and… ¡Ay, caramba! The lady seemed to be only wearing a robe.”
“Mr. Pollo, you can avoid those details. Who did you see on the balcony?”
After following the man’s finger, the District Attorney says, “Let the record show that the witness is pointing to Matilyn Jabari.”
“How, Mr. Pollo, how did Ms. Jabari get in that… precarious position?”
“That other woman… I was at her wedding. She was standing over her, prying her fingers off the edge.”
“Let the record show that the witness is pointing to the defendant. Did you see the defendant shove Ms. Jabari over the edge?”
“It looked like she was waving, or maybe… shoving? Or she could have been dancing. Then the man came from inside, and as he pulled her up… ¡Mamma mia! ¡Ay, caramba! La visión de la belleza.”
“We get the picture. No further questions.”
The defense attorney yields cross-examination, feeling the ambiguity is in his favor. So the judge allows the District Attorney to call his next witness, who surprises Reyna when Evan takes the stand.
“Can you tell me your relationship to the defendant?”
“I’m uhh… a neighbor… a friend… in the same building.”
“There are all types of friends. Would you say you're rather close to each other?”
Reyna looks down to avoid eye contact while Evan rubs his palms and glances toward Alan in the audience.
“We’ve become good friends… recently.”
“From your vantage point in the building, did you see the altercation?”
After a pause, Evan replies, “Well… Yes.”
The courtroom begins murmuring before the judge pounds the gavel to regain order. The District Attorney continues.
“For our general understanding of your background, please tell us your profession.”
“I’m a… a photographer.”
“A professional photographer. That sounds like a noble profession. Please tell the court what you saw, remembering you are under oath.”
“I saw… Reyna… take a swing at Matilyn before she fell. It must have been an accident.”
“Is it your testimony that Reyna accidentally lured Matilyn to the balcony, and accidentally swung at her, causing Matilyn to accidentally fall?”
“No. Not exactly. I just saw what looked like a swing and a fall.”
“That’s not the whole truth, is it, Evan? Don’t you have a social media account @ShadowAcross727 with images of the crime… like the one on the courtroom monitor labeled Exhibit B?”
The judge must again regain order before the District Attorney demands an answer.
“I happened to snap a few photos. Yeah. I’ve reviewed them, and they provide no more clarity on what happened.”
“Just a few photos? Isn’t it true that you have posted hundreds of rather provocative images of the victim on your social media account?”
Leaning in further, the District Attorney asks, “Do you have an obsession with the defendant that may censor your testimony?”
“Objection. The attorney is implying perjury. The question has been asked and answered.”
The judge sustains the defense attorney’s objection to the DA testifying for the witness.
“No further questions, Your Honor,” the District Attorney says.
The defense attorney declines cross-examination. So the District Attorney calls a new witness to the stand—one who could send Reyna away for good. After she gets situated, he asks, “Can you please state your first and last name for the court?”
“Is that really necessary, darling? Everyone knows who I am.”
“Perhaps so. But for the record, your name, please?”
“I’m the often imitated, but never duplicated—Matilyn Jabari.”
“Thank you, Ms. Jabari.”
“Nobody addresses me that way. Call me Matilyn.”
“Please tell the court how you became acquainted with the defendant.”
“Of course. I gave the wingless bird the feathers she needed to fly into the arms of her new husband.”
“Is that a service you provide for a fee?”
“Is that a courtroom bribe, darling?”
The District Attorney gets flustered. “No. Let me rephrase… Did the defendant in some way cause you to fall from your balcony?”
Matilyn looks at everyone in the courtroom before saying, “My little hen would never hurt me. Sometimes she just flaps her wings too hard—not knowing her own strength,” with a smile inviting the audience to chuckle.
The judge looks at the clock and announces, “We’ll adjourn till Monday morning,” then strikes the gavel.”
Continued…
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