The Stockton Case discussion

Hundreds of cases pass through here each day.

"All rise, the circuit court of the state of California, honorable Judge Cavanaugh presiding, is now in session. Please be seated and come to order."

Valery sat down reviewing her papers one last time she was determined to get Olivia justice.

((wait is Yonni here too?))

((Everyone involved is there. The person speaking was the bailiff.))
The judge turned to the prosecutor and allowed them to give their opening. Then it was Jennifer's turn. She gave the jury a charming smile and gave their side of the case seamlessly. Alexander grinned the entire time. "Finally, jury, the prosecution will bring forward their final witnesses. Yonni DeYoung, Valery West, Hayley Winterstone and Luz Vannuchini. You will watch, jury, as Valery tries to explain her reckless attack into a high school, brandishing guns. Next will come Mr. DeYoung, a medical examiner who pretends to be a cop and has deep biases against the defendant. Hayley Winterstone is a high school student who had a deep twisted attraction to Mr. Johnston and when he denied her, wanted revenge. Finally, Ms. Vanuchini will come and testify to an event that took place when she was only 17, an event she will admit she hardly remembers the details of. So, members of the jury and workers of the court, we call on you today to remember that it is your duty not to persecute my client. To remember that you cannot persecute him with any undeniable doubt left in your mind. A doubt that will be there because of the pure level of carelessness and biase riddled throughout the prosecution's case. Thank you."
((That was my put on spot opening. Or, ending of one anyway. I hope I got the names right....))

((gtg will post when I get back from dance))

Hayley sat on the hard benches as she listened to the way they described her relationship with Alexander, it tore an even huger hole in her heart. She couldn't believe that Alexander would twist everything so much just to get out of it. She tugged on her dark curls as she always did when she was hurt or nervous, then she straightened her black pencil skirt.
Hayley watched Alexander as he sat smuggly behind the Defendant table, it still made her heart skip a little bit just to see him, even if he tried to kill her.. She knew it was stupid, reckless, ridiculous, and wrong, but she couldn't help but feel a little bit of caring for the man she had fallen for.

((Eesh, her relationship with him disturbs me. Never letting go... Jeez, she's going to be a major PTSD case. But I bet she won't get counseling for it. XD))
"The prosecution calls witness Yonni DeYoung to the stand."
Yonni got up hesitantly, looking nervous to be in the courthouse. The prosecution conducted their direct examination. Then it was once again Jennifer's turn.
((Would anyone like to be the prosecuting attorney? Or should I just continue to glide over them?))

"Mr. DeYoung, you are not a police officer, correct?"
"Technically, no."
"But you still claim to be police?"
"Sometimes..."
"It is true that you are childhood friends with Ms. Vanuchini, correct?"
"That is correct."
"So you would do anything to protect her, correct?"
"I'd do many things to protect many people."
"So that is a yes?"
"...Yes."
"Even alter evidence records?"
"What are you implying?"
"A yes or no will suffice."
"...Yes."
"No further questions, your honor."

The prosecutor gave Jennifer a harsh glare. Maybe if he changed the order of things... "The prosecution calls Hayley Winterstone to the stand."

Hayley walked slowly to the stands, she sat down and averted her gaze from everyone in the vicinity. She sighed and then looked up gently, her head spun, she definitely didn't want to be here.

The prosecutor, thoroughly shaken, conducted Hayley's direct. Jennifer stepped forward. "Miss Winterstone, how long have you been seeking treatment from the defendant?"

Hayley thought for a moment, and then she replied. "Well it was right after an incident in my Freshman year. About the same time he started working at the school."

"How long have you been attracted to the defendant?"
((Let's say the prosecutor is an idiot and doesn't know how to object. I can't write a cross examination.))

Hayley bit her lip. "Is this really relevant to the case..?" She sighed and decided it probably was. "I'm honestly not sure when, but it was at some point during our sessions.."

"And you believed that Mr. Johnston shared your interest, correct?"

"Yes, he seemed to be fully interested in myself as well." Hayley said the words slowly and calmly.

"You are aware that legally, Mr. Johnston was not allowed to be in a relationship with a student, correct?"

Valery sat impatiently in her chair looking annoyed. She hated the fact that they seemed to have the upper hand...but that would all change soon enough or so she hoped.

After still teary eyed, Ember went home, took a shower, and put on her nicest, most professional clothes on. She realized how childish she is, and wanted to make an impression. She was late and she knew it, but she crept through the large door and slid onto one of the back benches in the courthouse. She had convinced herself that she was involved and must watch this case.

Ember looked at Haley. "who is she?" she whispered inaudibly to herself. She didn't know exactly what happened. All she knew was something happened to Luz, involving the murderer. She bit her lip. She felt out of place, shifting in her seat, almost, disconnected from Yonni and the others. She had almost hoped that she actually had a chance, but she blew it. This would just be another episode in her miserable life.

Strange wrote: ""You are aware that legally, Mr. Johnston was not allowed to be in a relationship with a student, correct?""

Hayley nodded. "I am well aware of that fact."

((finally! somebody's on! well, i cant do much, now can I ))

"Yet you continued to pressure the defendant into reciprocating your love, isn't that right?"

Ember glared at Yonni, hoping he would turn in her direction so he could see her face.

Yonni glanced over at Ember. It wasn't annoyance on his face, but tired fear. He gestured for her to come sit by him.

Valery grew angry "Your honor I feel Ms. Lewis can proceed with something else. Or may I intergect?" she asked standing up

Jennifer shot Valery another smile before turning back to the judge. "Your honor, I'm sure it's not even necessary to say that this is an improper opinion by lay witness, rule 701. The bailiff has assured me I have ample time, so I request that I properly continue conducting this cross."
The judge frowned, clearly shocked by this outburst. "Overruled. Ms. West, please be seated. Ms. Lewis, you may continue. But," he smiled, "just in regards to curiosity- jury may the records not reflect this- but what are your thoughts, Ms. West?"

She sighed "Ms.Lewis is making us seem unprofessional but in reality she is just trying to get away with the fact that her client has murdered Olivia Whalts and attempted murder on two other people. Before you say something perhaps I can back our case up"

"Jury, please leave the room." They did as they were told. "Now Ms. West, what is it that you would like to say?"

She continued "Alexander has been working at McKlair High School long enough to get to know them like Olivia or Hayley...to gain there trust" She turned looking straight at Alexander seeming to talk to him "I don't know if you are aware of a student named Daniel Reid? Well he has given me his phone were he recorded a message of Olivia telling him she was going to have a session with Alexander" she held up the phone and played back the message.

Alexander didn't flinch. This time he spoke up. "I believe that it's a stipulated... Stipulated, right?" Jennifer nodded and he continued, "It's a stipulated fact that both Olivia and Haley seeked my help. I don't see how this affects anything."

((gtg respond I'll tomorrow))

Hayley sighed, the court wouldn't believe her when she would tell them that Alexander specifically asked for Hayley so he could have sessions with her. She bit her tongue to avoid from speaking.

Ember quietly stood up and awkwardly walked over to where Yonni sat and gestured him to scoot over. She sat down, biting her lip. She felt disconnected from the team, almost like and outsider.

Jennifer finally stepped in. "Your honor, surely we've had enough of this. She's speaking to ultimate issue against rule 704 and has gone on long enough."
The judge sighed. "Please be seated, Ms. West. Clerk, bring back in the jury so we can get this over with."
Jennifer smiled and turned back to Hayley. "Please answer the question, Ms. Winterstone."
((Is it rule 704...? Gah, my brain's too tired. I never do criminal cases, always civil....))

"I never once pressured him, he was always willing. He never once acted as if he regreted his own or my advances." Hayley replied levely.

"Yes,well I understand you have had more than just a few sessions with the two and that day that Alexander got that message was the day she died...Also how do you explain finding you with Hayley and Luz?" she asked

"Moving on, I would like you to recall the night of your 'incident.' Isn't it true that you were not at Alexander's house?" Jennifer glared at Valery, daring her to interrupt again.

((Meaning when she was raped right?))

((No, the kidnapping.))

((Oh okay I wasn't sure between the two because Hayley previously called it an 'incident'... Haha I am on the right page now.))

"Luzita and I were not at Alexander's home. I'm actually still not sure how we arrived at Luzita's house, but that is where he began to torture first Luzita and then myself." Hayley felt a tear escape the corner of her eye.

((Luzita... Heh, Luz is probably freaking out and Alex is trying not to laugh.))
"Just to clarify, that's a no?"

((That's all she would know her as. (: haha))

"We were not at Alexander's home." Hayley hated when they tried to twist everything around to come back around and slap her in the face. This is why she kept a level head just in case.

Valery huffed crossing her legs glaring back at Jennifer she knew they were loosing. She hated that fact she just watched Jennifer then moved her eyes towards Alexander she shook her head towards him eyes bright with anger.

"Isn't it true that Alexander came to Luz's house because you called him and told him to meet you there?"
Alexander gave Valery a grin.

Hayley looked at Jennifer with a confused expression. "No, I never once asked him to go there. I have never even met Luzita before, I don't even know if that is her real name."
She ran a hand through her curls. "Alexander asked me to meet him in the locker room after my cheer practice. Then I blacked out, when I woke up I was in Luzita's house."

She just scowled trying to hide her disapointment of there side of the case from her expression.

"But isn't it true that you knocked Alexander unconscious once you reached Ms. Vanuchini's house? And afterwards you called the police?"
Yonni sighed. "Sorry I yelled at you. I was... afraid."

"I was not the one who officially knocked him unconscious, but I fought him to get to safety. It was complete self defense." Hayley replied frowning. It bothered her how someone could just plainly lie.

"So that is a yes?"