Chapter 45
1007words
"Thank you, Counsel. Would the prosecutor please call their first witness to the stand."
I looked around wondering who Seth had chosen to be his witnesses.
"Thank you, Your Honor. The prosecution would like to Bethel Taylor to the stand." Seth announced. I frowned since I had no idea who the hell Bethel Taylor was. I turn to look at Mr. Benjamin and he wore the same expression as I did.
"Bethel Taylor please take the stand."
A man in his late forties started to make his way to the stand. I turn back at Mr. Benjamin and he whispered to me, "A worker."
I nod. What possible evidence could this worker have against my client?
"Mr. Taylor before you sit, can you please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you, God?"
The gruff voice of the older man answered, "I do."
"Please be seated."
Seth stood from his head and walked over to the witness. "Mr. Taylor please introduce yourself."
"My name is Bethel Taylor and I've worked for Benjamin's Shipping as one of their Accountants for five years."
"Mr. Taylor can you describe the relationship between your bosses?" Seth asked. He looked calm like he was worried about anything. But that's Seth for you. He worries about nothing.
But he better starts worrying now because he's gonna lose this case.
"Their best of friends. Sometimes they have their disagreements but nothing serious."
"I see. Mr. Taylor can you tell me about the night of the murder." I frowned as I looked at Seth and his witness. From what I heard at the station, they were no witnesses to the murder so what did this Taylor man know about anything? I waited keenly for his response.
"Well when I was leaving, I saw Mr. Benjamin car in the parking lot."
I turn to look at Mr. Benjamin, but his attention was on Ms. Taylor and what he had to say. I should stop this before it gets out of hand. "Objection, Your Honour."
Judge Brown shot me a sour look then said, "Overruled, please continue."
Seth turn to the jury then turn back at Mr. Taylor and asked. "What time were you leaving the office Mr. Taylor."
"I usually leave work at 10 pm."
Seth smiled at Mr. Taylor. "No further question."
"Would the defence like to cross?"
I stood from my seat and tug down my skirt. "Yes. Your Honour."
I walked over to Mr. Taylor and smiled. It was a tactic I used with older male witnesses. "Mr. Taylor you said I've been working at Benjamin shipping for five years, is that correct?"
He nodded, "Yes."
I smiled. "So how many times over the past years since you've worked for the company have you ever seen Mr. Benjamin's car in the parking lot."
"Many times. Sometimes I'd leave seeing both Mr. Samuels and Benjamin's car."
I nodded, "So how many cars did you leave in the parking lot that night?"
He thought about the question then answered, "Just one, Mr. Benjamin's"
"Ever since you've worked for the company have you ever seen Ms. Benjamin and Mr. Samuels share cars." I had no idea where exactly I was going with these questions, but I just needed them to come off Mr. Benjamin's case.
"Objection, Your Honour," Seth shouted out.
"Overruled." Judge Brown responded sending him the same sour look he gave me. I guess he wasn't up for any of that in his courtroom today.
"You can answer the question Mr. Taylor." I said with a small smile.
"Yes, they shared cars all the time. They would drive together to and from work."
I nodded, "And would they use each other's car?"
"Yes."
I moved away from Mr. Taylor and stayed in the middle so I could get a good look at the witness and the jury.
"So, you're telling me that you only so one car that night and there is a fifty-fifty per cent chance that it wasn't Mr. Benjamin who was driving it but his best friend and the victim Harrison Samuels?"
"Yes."
I smiled at his answer. "No further question."
I turned and walked back to my seat not forgiving to flash Seth a smirk.
"Would the council like to redirect?" Judge Brown asked Seth.
"No, Your Honour." I smiled at his words. Maybe this was his way of giving in.
Not such a great lawyer, now are you Seth.
"Mr. Taylor, you may step down."
"Does the prosecution have any more witness to call?"
"No, Your Honor. The Prosecution rests."
I looked at Seth. I guess your cases is not as strong as you think.
"Will the defence call their first witness to the stand please."
"The defence would like to call Grace Benjamin to the stand."
Grace went to the stand and her rights were read to her and Judge Brown told her to sit. Now the ball was in my court entirely.
"Mrs. Benjamin, can you please introduce yourself to the court?"
She nodded then begun, "My name is Grace Benjamin and I've been married to Matthew Benjamin for eighteen years next month."
"Thank you. Can you give us a brief description of your husband and Mr. Harrison relationship?"
She gave a small smile. "They were best friends since college. They were like brothers nothing could separate them somethings Matthew would spend hours at Harrison house and vice versa."
"Mrs. Benjamin. I suspect since you and your husband have been together for almost two decades you should be able to answer one vital question, do you think your husband is capable of murder especially murdering his best friend, his brother?" In a case like this emotional appeal to the jury was sometimes the only way to go.
