The Ace Attorney (1)

SWANSEA, WALES

2014

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A FLASHBACK OF SOME MONTHS AGO

The headlines on TV and in the newspapers were always about 'The Ace Attorney of L&J Law Firm'. More specifically, everyone in Swansea was talking about the 'Ace'. He was considered one of the best lawyers in all of Wales, and people never stopped talking about him, both positively and negatively.

But none of these talks and happenings mattered to a certain man. He said, 'Oh, what a beautiful day! It's the perfect weather to win a case.' He then crushed an insect under his black polished Chelsea oxford shoe and straightened his crooked red tie, which seemed to be the only distinct color in his outfit, but it blended in well.

Anybody could guess he was a perfectionist by the way he dressed. He was wearing a gray three-piece suit in a British style that fit his body perfectly, along with a pure white shirt underneath.

His hair was covered by a gray flat cap, giving him a look that combined the modern and the old days, although half of his face was concealed by the cap.

He took out a gold pocket watch from his pocket and looked at the time for a few seconds. While holding the watch in his right hand, he took out a handset with his left hand from his left pocket.

After dialing a few numbers, he put the small phone to his ear and said, "I'm at the balcony. I'll be coming inside for the finale." He then immediately hung up the phone.

As he had said, he was on the balcony. He tucked himself in and walked into the main room on the floor. It was a large, multi-story building. He entered a courtroom just in time.

The judge had entered the courtroom and called it to order. He walked over to two young men, one wearing regular clothes and the other wearing a custom-made American suit.

He winked at the one in the suit and strode to the middle of the courtroom. It was announced that this section of the trial would be the closing argument for the ongoing case.

The attorney said, "Your Honor, members of the jury, I am Attorney R. Bridges. As I've mentioned before, I'm representing the prosecution in this case."

He smiled slyly as he removed his flat cap and tossed it to the young man he had winked at earlier, revealing his blond hair that was cut in a hockey style.

"I'd like to begin by thanking you all for your patience and attention throughout this trial," he continued. "This has been a complex case, and I know it hasn't been easy to follow all the details.” He was an excellent man indeed.

“You may proceed, counsel.” The judge urged, picking up a pen and a paper to note.

Attorney R. Bridges delicately slipped on a pair of black gloves from his pocket. He strolled towards the opposite table, where the other lawyers, a man and a lady, sat.

He extended his right hand to the man in greeting, “Greetings, Negro.” But he greeted the man's hearing alone.

"Counsel, the courtroom has no time for idle chit-chat," the judge said, raising his voice to get Attorney R. Bridges' attention.

Satisfied with the response he received from his opponent, R. Bridges smirked and walked back to the center of the room, standing in front of the judge.

"Your Honor," he began, "I would like to remind the court that just because someone is a victim does not mean they are not also capable of being a perpetrator. In fact, victims can sometimes be the very people responsible for the crimes they've suffered."

He paused and surveyed the courtroom, taking in the reactions of the judge, jury, and spectators.

"There is no further evidence to present, but I would like to emphasize the defendant's previous statements," R. Bridges said, glancing around the courtroom. "She publicly slandered my client, the plaintiff, by calling him a burglar, a thief, and a robber. She even took his picture and posted it around the neighborhood and on the internet, claiming that he had broken into her house. This is an egregious example of defamation, and I believe the court will agree." He took a deep breath, letting his words sink in before continuing.

Returning to his table, R. Bridges took a paper from his assistant and resumed his position at the center of the courtroom. "And just when we thought the accusations had ended," he began, glancing at the defense attorney, "My client, Mr. Garry, was accused of killing the defendant's husband - without any intent, making it manslaughter."

He paused for effect, allowing his words to settle before delivering the next line.

With a mocking grin, he added, "Of course, there's no evidence to support this claim."

"The defense attorney, Mr. Albertson, and his client, Mrs. Williams, then brought forth witnesses who only testified in my favor..." R. Bridges continued, relishing the moment.

"Objection!" Mr. Albertson shouted, rising to his feet.

"Objection overruled, counselor!" the judge barked. "This is a closing statement. You may only speak when your client chooses to plead guilty."

Pleased with this outcome, R. Bridges flashed a triumphant smile. "May I continue, Your Honor?" he asked.

“Proceed.”

"Thank you, Your Honor. As you've heard, the defendant's self-inflicted injuries were presented as evidence, and she then accused my client of those same injuries. A man who was only checking on his neighbors, with no idea he would be framed for a crime he did not commit. It's clear that the defendant has mental health issues, and the probability that she killed her husband and framed someone else for it is quite high - 91.57%. This is based on the evidence presented in this trial."

He paused, making sure his words were absorbed by the jury.

The defense attorney rose again. "Your Honor," he addressed the court.

Bridges turned to look at his opponent, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "I choose to rest my case here," he said. He turned and walked back to his seat, enjoying the other lawyer's obvious frustration.

Attorney Albertson strode to the front of the room, directly facing the judge and the jury.

"Your Honor, the medical evidence presented in this trial clearly indicates that my client could not have killed her husband of many years," Albertson said, his frustration evident in his frown. "The evidence suggests that she is guilty, but I know that this is not the truth. My client is innocent, and I will do everything in my power to prove it."

"It is important to consider the defendant's mental state at the time of the alleged crime. If she was not in her right mind, that could have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. I urge you to make a fair and just decision based on all of the evidence, regardless of any personal feelings or biases you may have. Do you understand?" Attorney Albertson addressed the jury, his voice steady and strong.

Attorney Albertson was clearly scared and annoyed, he was first excited that he was going up against a popular attorney (R. Bridges) but, now he has got to see the heat that comes with that enthusiasm.

“Let us do the right thing by giving this woman Justice. And Attorney Bridges, are you siding a lie because you dislike us blacks? Us negroes?” Attorney Albertson asked, irrationally causing an uproar of gasps in the courtroom.

It so happened that both the defendant lady and her attorney were both blacks compared to the other party.

Attorney Albertson's words hung in the air, the weight of his accusation heavy in the silence.

The judge cleared his throat, and addressed the court: "I will not tolerate any personal attacks or racist language in this courtroom. Please refrain from making such statements, or I will have to take disciplinary action."

Attorney Albertson's face turned red, but he nodded and apologized. The courtroom settled back into an uneasy calm, and the trial resumed but Bridges didn't want to let it slide so easily. This was his chance to attack.

Bridges let out a chuckle. Everything was going just as he'd planned. He rose from his chair and strode to Attorney Albertson's side, standing mere inches from him.

"What?" he asked, his voice dripping with feigned innocence.

Attorney Albertson's face turned bright red, and he struggled to find the words to respond. Before he could utter a syllable, Bridges cut him off. "You're slandering me without any evidence, just as your client slandered mine," he stated matter-of-factly.

Bridges turned to face the jury. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's not forget what this case is really about. It's not about a murder - that matter has already been resolved. This is a case of defamation, and the evidence presented by the prosecution is far from conclusive."

He paused for effect, his eyes fixed on the jury. "As for the defendant's claims of self-harm, we must remember that she is the alleged victim in this case. It's not uncommon for victims of crime to experience emotional distress and even engage in self-destructive behavior. But this does not make them guilty of any crime. If anything, it's a sign that they need our help and support, not our judgment."

As he spoke, the defendant began to fidget in her chair. She seemed to be on the verge of tears, but she held herself together, her gaze fixed on the floor. Then, in a sudden outburst, she stood up and shouted, "I did it! I'm guilty!"

The courtroom erupted into chaos. The judge banged his gavel, demanding order. "Order! Order in the court!" he yelled. “Mrs. Williams, I must ask that you calm yourself and refrain from making any further outbursts," the judge said in a firm but compassionate tone. "You have the right to speak, but you must do so in an orderly and respectful manner. Do you understand?"

Mrs. Williams nodded, her eyes downcast. "I understand, Your Honor," she said quietly.

The judge turned to the defense attorney. "Counselor, does your client wish to plead guilty to the charges against her?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Honor," the defense attorney replied, his voice low and hesitant. "However, I must ask that the court consider the circumstances surrounding this case. My client has been through a great deal of trauma, and her actions are a reflection of that. I believe that with proper treatment and rehabilitation, she can be rehabilitated and become a productive member of society."

The judge considered this for a moment, then turned to Mrs. Williams. "Do you understand what your attorney is saying, Mrs. Williams?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Honor," Mrs. Williams replied. "I understand that my actions have been wrong, and that I need help to move past this. I am willing to accept any consequences the court sees fit, as long as I can get the help I need."

The judge nodded, then turned to the prosecutor. "Mr. Bridges, what is the prosecution's recommendation in this case?" he asked.

"Your Honor, the prosecution believes that a sentence of probation and mandatory mental health treatment is appropriate in this case," Mr. Bridges said. "This will allow Mrs. Williams to get the help she needs while still being held accountable for her actions."

The judge considered this for a moment, then turned to Mrs. Williams. "Mrs. Williams, do you agree with the prosecution's recommendation?" he asked.

Mrs. Williams took a deep breath, then spoke. "Yes, Your Honor. I believe that this is a fair and just outcome, and I am willing to accept the terms of the probation and treatment."

The judge nodded, then turned to the courtroom clerk. "Please enter a plea of guilty on behalf of the defendant, with a sentence of five years' probation and mandatory mental health treatment," he instructed.

The clerk nodded, and entered the plea into the record. The judge then turned back to Mrs. Williams. "I understand that this has been a difficult time for you, Mrs. Williams," he said. "I hope that you are able to get the help you need, and that you can move forward with your life in a positive way."

Mrs. Williams nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Your Honor," she whispered. "I appreciate your understanding.”

(Flashback Ends)