Chapter 14 - The Defense's Trap
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The defense's strategy was brutal and entirely unethical.
When it was time for the audio recording to be formally entered into evidence, Marcus Thorne stood up and objected fiercely.
“Your Honor, we cannot verify the authenticity of this recording without questioning the individual who allegedly made it,” Thorne argued, pacing aggressively in front of the jury box. “If the prosecution wants to use this tape, they must put Violet Linwood on the stand. The defense has the right to cross-examine our accuser.”
The prosecutor objected, citing the extreme emotional trauma it would cause a six-year-old child to testify against her own father in open court.
Judge Holloway, the same judge who had presided over the initial divorce hearing, frowned deeply. “Mr. Thorne, you are demanding to cross-examine a first-grader. Are you absolutely certain you want to proceed with this strategy?”
“It is our constitutional right, Your Honor,” Thorne insisted smugly. He knew that putting a terrified child on the stand was a massive gamble. He intended to confuse her, intimidate her, and make her cry in front of the jury, hoping to prove that she was simply repeating lines Clara had fed to her.
Judge Holloway sighed heavily. “Objection overruled. The prosecution will call Violet Linwood to the stand tomorrow morning.”
That night, Clara sat on the edge of Violet’s bed, brushing the little girl’s dark hair.
“Violet, sweetie,” Clara said gently. “Tomorrow, you have to talk to the judge again. And a man is going to ask you some questions about the day you hid under the kitchen island.”
Violet looked up, her brown eyes serious. “Is Daddy going to be there?”
“Yes,” Clara nodded honestly. “But he can’t hurt you. The judge won’t let him. You just have to tell the truth, exactly how you remember it. Don't let the man with the questions scare you.”
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Violet reached over and grabbed her worn, gray stuffed rabbit, squeezing it tightly against her chest.
“I’m not scared, Mama Clara,” Violet said fiercely. “I’m a lion, just like baby Leo.”
