The LP Turnabout: A Documentary on Japanifornian Law with Phoenix Wright

[morsrattus]

(welcome to the endless case)

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 1

(Click here for video.)

: Two months without a single trial. I’ve had offers… But none I took. That is… until the day that girl showed up.

: (It’s not like I want to work…)
: There you are! Finally!

: … … Um… who are you?
: It doesn’t matter who I am! It only matters who YOU are!
: You’re the famous defense attorney, Mia Fey!
: …
: …
: …

: I’m sorry but Ms. Mia Fey no longer… works here.

: I’m Phoenix Wright… A defense attorney.

: You’re THE Phoenix Wright!?
: The Phoenix Wright from the Edgeworth murder case!?
: Um, yes, that’s correct. (It wasn’t Edgeworth who was murdered, though…)

: I’m sorry… I’m afraid I’m not taking cases right now.
: But, you are Phoenix Wright, right? The undefeated defense attorney?
: Look, I’m not accepting any new cases. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to try elsewhere.
: Please!
: I’m out of time!
: But…
: Please, you have to help! I-it’s my sister!

: Okay. I’ll hear you out.
: R-really!?
: Thank you so much! My name’s Ema, Ema Skye. I’m a scientific investigator.
: (Scientific investigator?)

Let’s check out the office before anything.

: Looks like it’s cleaning day again at the hotel across the way. I hear they’re planning a second branch outside the city. Egads! The bellboy was staring right at me.

: Mia’s plant, “Charley.” I’ve been taking care of him in Maya’s absence.

: There’s a poster of the Steel Samurai on the wall. Maya stuck it up here on the day that she left. I didn’t have the heart to take it down.

: I do sometimes get strange looks from the clients, though.

: Mia’s desk. I sit here even less now that I’ve stopped taking cases. I ought to at least dust it off once in a while.

: Difficult-looking legal books stand in a formidable row. They mock me. I tried reading one, and it made my head hurt. When I closed it, it slipped out of my hand. Then my foot hurt too.

Now, let’s chat with Ema.

: Ema, was it? So you’re a “scientific investigator”?
: Yes! That’s right! Is… something wrong?
: No, it’s just, you seem kind of, er, jumpy. Or maybe just… young?
: Young?
: I’ll be sixteen years old this year!
: Oh, I see… wait! Only sixteen!?
: I’m set to be formally assigned to Forensics in three more years. My work is becoming quite well known…
: At my age, no less!
: Um, so what exactly is your current position, then?

: I guess you’d call me an “Eleventh Grader.”
: But I’m ready to do my job! At my age, no less!
: (Great, another future professional in training…)

: So what’s this about a case? You said the trial’s tomorrow?
: My sister didn’t do it!
: She wouldn’t stab someone with a knife! She wouldn’t!
: So… it’s a murder case.
: I don’t care if there’s a witness who saw her do it! She didn’t do it!
: I know she didn’t do it! It’s a scientific fact!
: And… there’s a witness.
: J-just talk to her!
: You have to talk to her!
: Right… I suppose I will.
: I promised her I’d bring Mia Fey, but…
: (That’s interesting… How would she know Mia?)

: So, you want to be a scientific investigator when you grow up, then?
: E-excuse me?
: I’m not a child. I’ll have you know!
: Still, it’s good to have a goal. Albeit a very unusual one.
: I believe investigations should be done scientifically!
: Don’t you?
: Uh, yeah. (Sure can’t fault her for a lack of enthusiasm.)
: If this case is handled scientifically, I’m sure my sister’s name will be cleared!
: Your sister…?
: I’ve been doing research, you know!
: I’m developing a new scientific method of case investigation!
: I’ll show you when I’m done!
: I’m looking forward to it. (Guess I should get down to the Detention Center and talk to her sister.)

: My sister asked for her specifically. Mia Fey…
: was a few years below her in school.
: (So she went to the same school as Mia.)
: She always told me to go to Mia if I ever needed a defense attorney… And, well…
: I need one.
: Um, incidentally, Mia is a woman.
: Mia… Yeah, I thought it was a little strange when I saw you, too.
: Well, it’s nice of you to help your sister out like this. You must be close.

: ?
: Well…
: Actually, when she gets like she is now, I kind of hate her.
: i[/i]
: But… But she’s my only family.
: Your only family? What about your parents?
: They died in a car accident when I was little.
: Oh… I’m sorry.

And we present the badge.

: Ahh! Well! I’ve never seen a real one before.
: (You’re the first one who’s actually been interested in mine, believe me.)
: Its composition is mostly silver. The gold plating is flaking a bit.
: (She analyzed it. Scientifically…)

: Sorry, but it’s not for sale. Yet…

Now, let’s get moving.

: …
: (Hmm, I wonder what’s wrong with Ema? She got quiet all of a sudden as soon as we arrived.)
: Guard… I thought I told you I didn’t want visitors.
: S-s-s-sorry, ma’am! It’s j-j-just, your sister…
: No excuses! Or did you not want a raise this year, hmm?
: U-u-u-understood, ma’am!
: (Wh-wh-wh-what was that all about?)

: Funny. I seem to remember specifically telling you NOT to come here. Perhaps my memory is failing?
: L-look…
: I didn’t want to come here either, okay? But your trial’s tomorrow and you still don’t have a defense attorney!
: I’ll be the one in court tomorrow. This has nothing to do with you, Ema.

: Hey! How do you know me?
: Mia mentioned you. I’ve heard… quite a bit.
: Er, I’m sorry. What exactly is it that you do…?
: My name is Lana, Lana Skye. I’m Chief Prosecutor for this district.
: Y-you’re a prosecutor!?

A brief look around is in order.

: This guard monitors the visitor’s room. He’s frozen in fear of the frigid Miss Lana. I’m feeling a bit chilly myself.

Now, let’s chat with Lana.

: There’s something you should know from the start.
: W-which is?

: Huh?
: W-wait! But the suspect…
: The suspect is…
: Me. I did it.
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: Well… why don’t you begin by telling me exactly what happened.

: That’s quite specific.
: It was in the witness’s deposition.
: A witness clearly saw me committing the crime.
: Uh… My, that was a bit of bad luck, wasn’t it?
: The crime took place in the underground parking lot at the Prosecutor’s Office.
: The body was found in the trunk of my subordinate’s car.
: The Prosecutor’s Office, huh? (In your subordinate’s car trunk? Classy…)
: I was arrested on the spot. Caught red-handed, as it were.
: (My, my…)

: So, who was the victim?
: An investigator with the Police Department. I suppose the correct term is “Detective.”
: A detective…?
: Death was due to a loss of blood. He was stabbed once in the stomach.
: By… you?
: Death wasn’t immediate, but the wound was fatal.
: I see…
: Allow me to repeat myself, Mr. Wright. The victim was a detective. You know what that means,
: don’t you?
: Uh oh!
: What? Mr. Wright? What does it mean?
: Well, it means…
: The police department will consider it a matter of pride to have me found guilty.
: They will use any means at their disposal to do so.
: (This case gets worse and worse with everything I learn.)

: So, you’re the Chief Prosecutor?
: That is correct.
: I’m responsible for overseeing every trial handled by prosecutors in this district. I make sure the prosecutors have what they need to do the job, and manage every aspect.
: Those are my responsibilities, in a nutshell.
: (That’s an awfully large nutshell.)
: Still, I’m a little surprised.
: I would think you’d recognize the district’s Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Wright.
: Huh?

: Um… Lana? What happened to your hand?
: Oh, this?
: I cut myself by accident. When I stabbed him, that is.
: Huh?
: I’m not very good at being a criminal, I suppose.
: (How am I supposed to defend this!? Time to change the subject… Wait, she was in the class ahead of Mia, wasn’t she…?)

: Um, you were in school with Mia, correct? A few years above her?
: …
: Ema told you that, too, did she?
: W-well, why not? I did drag him all the way here from his office!
: Although it seems he has very little in common with Mia…
: i[/i]
: It was in law school. I was in my third year, and she was auditing the class. She was different than the other students.
: Different?
: She was strong… She’d do anything to become a defense attorney. Anything.
: That… was probably why she was attracted to me.
: E-excuse me!?
: Intellectually attracted! Lana was top of her class in school.
: I was the best there was.
: Oh…
: I’m doing pretty good in school too, by the way!
: (It sounds a bit different when Ema says it…)
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: E-excuse me?
: As you can plainly see, I am admitting my guilt. I think it’s safe to say…
: there’s no way you can take this case. None.
: B-but, Lana!
: …
: You… you were always this way, weren’t you?

: You never think of anyone but yourself.
: …!
: I know you didn’t do it, Lana, I know! So…
: So how can you say you did!?
: …
: If I lose you…
: I’ll be all alone! I…
: I hate you, Lana!
: …

: Mr. Wright?
: Y-yes?
: I believe our discussion here is ended. The rest… I leave to you.
: …! Um… you mean, you’re requesting my services as your defense?
: Don’t lose any sleep over it. Your client has confessed, after all. The case is over.
: Right… I’ll do what I can to get to the bottom of this.
: …

: (But something doesn’t fit.)

Next time: Investigation.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 2

After the last scene, we are automatically dropped off back at the office.

: Huh? About what?
: My sister… She’s not always like that you know.
: … I just never expected to be defending another prosecutor again.

: She used to be so gentle, always smiling. Everybody liked her.
: I see… (Sorry, but I’m having trouble imagining that.) What happened to her?
: I don’t know for certain myself… I think maybe she… Well, maybe not.
: (Sounds like there’s something there that defies a simple scientific explanation.) Let’s go check out this underground parking at the Prosecutor’s Office, shall we?
: O-Okay!

: So this is the lot where it all happened?
: Looks like they’re still investigating…
: (Funny that my first visit to the Prosecutor’s Office should be like this…)
: Hey everyone! Keep up the good work!
: H-hey! What are you thinking?
: Well, they are going to be my coworkers three years from now after all.
: No harm in saying hello…
: Actually, there is. You know attorneys aren’t supposed to examine crime scenes? I’m trying to not stand out too much, here, see?

: You 'specting to go unnoticed here, pardner?
: P-Pardner?

: What do we have here? Looks like a bambina got loose from the ranch and is up to no good!

: M-Mr. Marshall!

: (Marshall? Looks more like a sheriff to me…)
: Lookie here, bambina. I know how you feel. But this is my gang’s gold strike,
: see?
: Strike…?
: This is our claim, our territory. And the goldmine is… evidence.

: You know what dreams the cacti out in the desert dream? You want to?
: (What’s this guy talking about?)

: You head along home now. Happy trails, bambina!

And he leaves.

: …
: …
: Was that uh, hombre, a friend of yours?
: Uh… kind of… sort of… Yeah. He’s a detective.
: (Who thinks he’s a sheriff from the Wild West it seems.)

Let’s look around.

: Um, excuse me! Officer!
: W-w-waaaait!
: What are you doing, Mr. Wright!?
: What am I doing? I just found this wallet, so I’m handing it over to the police…
: I don’t believe it!
: This is real basic: anything at a crime scene is evidence! Let’s be scientific about this, please!
: Just put it in your pocket.
: H-how is that scientific? (Sounds like theft to me!)

But hey, we pocket it.

: I’m called to duty already, and at my tender age! Here, I’ll teach you the trick to examining evidence in detail, okay?
: (By the way her eyes are sparkling I can tell she’s been waiting for this…)
: Okay, okay, now. Look at the Court Record!

This method of evidence examination will be in this case, and this case only, for…oh, the next three games or so.

: Now. Let’s start examining! From every angle!

We can rotate evidence to look at points of interest from every angle.

: You should check it out! Press the Examine button.

: This… This is an ID card. (Detective Bruce Goodman, ID# 5842189…)
: See? Well? Isn’t scientific investigation useful?
: I guess… Though I don’t see what “science” has to do with it.

And the wallet transmutes into the ID.

: Let’s be sure to examine every piece of evidence we find!
: (I guess I’ve got to be on my toes from now on…)

: “Detective Bruce Goodman, ID# 5842189”
: I wonder why they only use numbers for IDs.
: What else would they use?
: Letters, silly! They’re the reason we have a written language in the first place!
: True…

: See? Wouldn’t that be better?
: “YABADAB”? Well, it does have a certain ring to it…
: Exactly my point! Tee-hee!
: (It doesn’t take much to amuse her.)

: This is where the cars leave the lot.
: The arrow on the ground makes it look more like an entrance.
: What are you talking about? It’s plainly an exit!
: Well, maybe it’s both. Kind of a dual purpose?
: Ah hah! The theory of relativity!
: What? Uh…
: I’ve got to write this down.
: Ah! Hey, hey, Mr. Wright!
: Maybe you know… Was Mr. Relativity, German? Or was he British?
: Mr. Relativity? Are you sure that was his name?

: Look! A door! This must mean something!
: I’m not sure that doors “mean” anything.
: No! It won’t open! A mysterious lock!
: I fail to see what’s mysterious about it.
: Mr. Wright…
: You need to learn to enjoy life more.
: Let’s finish our investigation first, shall we?

: Ah hah! A ladder.
: Um… That’s a stepladder.
: What’s the difference? In scientific terms, please.
: S-scientific huh?
: Look at the basic nature of things, Mr. Wright.
: (This all seems so horribly familiar somehow…)

: Hey. Don’t touch stuff we don’t need to be touching.
: …
: I can’t hear anything!
: My ears! No, my ears!
: Maybe it’s due to the barometric pressure…
: (What is she babbling about?)
: Hey!? What did you just say?
: See? You can hear just fine. The phone’s broken!

: An oil drum. Looks like it’s filled with water.
: I-it’s heavy! I can’t even budge it!
: The drum over here is on its side.
: Wait! I know! I’ll hide in here and do a stake-out!
: I think you’ll probably just get arrested. (In fact, you may not even have to hide in the drum to get arrested.)
: What? I’m not suspicious!

: This wall is in our way.
: It’s got a faucet for water.
: Wait! I know!
: This “wall” is merely a facade, hiding the truth…
: This is no wall, but a water tank!!!
: (I fail to see how it makes any difference either way…)

We can look at the other half…

…but it doesn’t really matter what we look at.

: Well, no time to waste! Let’s get hunting for clues!
: Hmm… I wonder what this is?
: Well, pardner. Looks like you got no intention of going home quietly.

: Like I said before, this here’s our claim. You’d best be moseying along.
: Unless you’re fixing to bite the bullet.
: (Gah! Scary!)
: C-could you just tell us one thing…? Who owns that car?

: You want to know who rides that red mustang with the body in her saddle, eh?
: Please!
: No problem, pardner. 'Bout time for vittles anyway.

: Might just find you a cervesa you like.
: (Prospector’s Office? Where does this guy think he is? And when, for that matter!?)
: Note to self: look up vittles, saloon, cervesa.
: (Maybe we should check out room 1202… the High Prosecutor’s Office!)

We are faded to the other side of the room.

: You can look around here all you like, just keep your paws off our claim.
: (Right… great.)

He leaves again.

: Great! Maybe there are some clues around here, Mr. Wright! Let’s check it out!
: Excuse me? Were you two all set?
: Us?

: Y-you’re selling lunches? Here?
: This is a crime scene!

: Oh. Uh, thanks.
: And you, sir?
: Y-yes?

: Uh… thanks. (Interesting way of doing business.)
: This area is off limits to anyone without clearance.

: Uh… no, but you…
: You don’t exactly look like the type to have clearance.
: Well, that’s hardly a way to greet someone! Even if my days as the “Cough-up Queen” are over…
: C-cough-up? Huh?

: I’m quite connected to this case, you see. The images are burned into my eyes, you might say.
: Yes, all the sordid secrets…
: Secrets…?
: Dear me.
: You are a slow one, aren’t you?

: Whaaaat!?

: Please! Cough-up Queen! Tell us what happened!
: The name is Angel Starr.
: Don’t you go forgetting it. Or before you know it
: I’ll have you whimpering at my heels.
: Y-y-yes, ma’am! (Yipes! She means it!)

: Somehow… I knew. Yesterday was a day of destiny… I knew something was going to happen…
: Just like I know that the Daily Special on Friday every week is salmon.
: Destiny…? Was yesterday special for some reason?
: You’re a defense attorney, right? You should know then. You should know the foul methods of the evil ones who haunt this den of inequity!
: E-evil ones?
: Prosecutors! They have no qualms at all about blackening the name of innocents! And yesterday they paid homage to the most evil one of all!
: They gave an award for “King of Prosecutors”… What a farce!
: So, she’s saying…
: There was some sort of prosecutor’s convention yesterday.
: I was almost compelled to lace their lunches with something foul…

: Or is there some kind of scientific evidence of this, um, “evil”?
: Young miss… Mock me at your own risk!
: You’ll soon find out why they call me the “Cough-up Queen”!
: Ew!
: The most heinous of all the evil ones, the one they awarded yesterday…
: It was in
: his car that they found the body! Proof that he devours the evilest lunches of all!
: R-really!?
: (Really what? I’m totally confused… One thing’s clear. This lunch lady has a thing against prosecutors.)

: So, what exactly was it that you witnessed, Ms. Starr?
: It was a fascinating spectacle, to be sure! I now feel I know what they say when they talk about a “woman’s wrath.”
: To see Lana Skye wield that knife so…
: !
: Her knife flashed in anger, bringing him to a sad end.
: It was truly a sight to see.
: Y-you mean you saw the very moment of the crime!?
: The sound of his silvery ties to this world being cruelly cut still rings in my ears.
: And the rhythmic beat of Lana Skye’s knife…
: Wait a second! You know Lana Skye?
: Hmph. Of course. It’s quite a feat… becoming Chief Prosecutor.

: She… always travels light.
: (Now why would this pretty lunch lady know the Chief Prosecutor’s name?)

: Um… Could we ask you a bit about yourself, Ms. Starr?
: I come here every day to sell lunches. I import only the freshest and best from the Far East.
: For some reason, the box lunches are a hit here.
: Why not make the lunches here rather than import them?
: Did you say something?
: N-no…
: Only true conossieurs can understand…

Not my misspelling.

: Ah… Nevermind… You win.

: Anyway, I come here every day to sell lunches.
: My boyfriend works in the security room here at the Prosecutor’s Office.
: Y-your boyfriend?
: See the security room over there?
: The glass-walled booth?
: I sell my lunches and, since I’m here anyway, I drop in to see him.
: (Since you’re here anyway… I guess selling lunches is more important than romance.)
: So, to scientifically analyze the data available so far… You, Ms. Starr, are
: a lunch vendor with an ulterior motive for coming here!
: (Useful analysis. Not.)

: Did you have a bad experience with a prosecutor, Ms. Starr? I sense some… hostility.
: Hostility? Hah! Perhaps.
: Prosecutors are all alike. And the bigger they get, the worse they smell.
: Kind of like 10-day old clams in the chowder.
: (I wonder if Ms. Starr was involved in some sort of legal trouble in the past?)
: That’d be a sure cause of food poisoning! Scientifically speaking, of course.
: I mean, now you’re talking “Cough-up Queen”!
: (I thought she was just a lunch vendor, but now I’m not so sure…)

And the badge, of course.

: How about you? Do you think you can win?

: (A box of pickles…? Kind of a sad lunch if you ask me.)

Next time: Upstairs.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 3

: This is the kind of room that just screams “I can do the job.”
: Quite a change from your office, really.
: Thanks.

: (A trophy? What, that shield?)
: It takes real nerve to display stuff like this.
: Whoever’s office this is, he must be a real stuck-up jerk!
: Mr. Phoenix Wright… You never tire of prying into other people’s business, do you?
: (That voice…!)

: Huh?
: Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
: M-M-Mr. Edgeworth!
: …! You know him from somewhere?
: O-of course! I’m his
: biggest fan!
: My sister introduced us once, and…
: (Right… her sister was the Chief Prosecutor, after all.)
: Well? What brings you here?
: I’ll warn you… I’ve been known to be a real stuck-up jerk…
: N-no! Did I…? No! It was just, Mr. Wright here, he…
: Hey! Don’t blame me!
: W-we’re just here to investigate a murder case!
: Murder…?
: A body was found in this nasty, bright red sports car in the parking lot…
: Hmm?

: Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!?
: Y-y-y-your car!?
: (I’ll say one thing, she certainly can scream.)

And now, we get the chance to poke all around Edgeworth’s office.

: Wow! This jacket is even lacier than his usual ones!
: This must be his lucky trial jacket!
: Lucky jacket, right… I’ve never seen him wear it.
: I’m sure there’s a story behind why it’s in a frame!
: Maybe I’ll be naughty…
: and take a picture!
: (She’s getting way too excited about this.)

: It has a big “K” on it.
: mumbles of Prosecutors…
: Huh? What’s that?
: It’s the “King of Prosecutors” trophy.
: K-K-K…
: “King of Prosecutors”!?
: It’s a great honor. They send that shield to the best prosecutor each year.
: What! So?
: So that “K”… that’s…
: “K” stands for “King”?
: Yeah, you got a problem with that?
: I didn’t design the thing!
: “King of Prosecutors”…
: Kind of like “Employee of the Month,” only better!

Nothing to talk about on the object itself, however.

: Mr. Edgeworth has such a comfy sofa!
: Sofas like this make me want to curl up and take a nap.
: I bet he pours over his case files here until the wee hours of the morning… Then he takes off his jacket, rolls up his sleeves…
: And goes to sleep using his arms as a pillow!
: (I don’t believe it. She’s actually daydreaming about Edgeworth working…)
: I bet in the morning he has sofa hair, and little creases in his cheek from the seams!
: He’s so cool!
: Sofa-hair is cool!?

: A work desk. It’s quite tidy, as one might expect.
: What a nice desk! Easy to use, and easy on the eyes!
: It’s polished so well I can see my own reflection.

: (Strange… Why did I just picture Detective Gumshoe?)
: Maybe I’ll take that name plaque as a souvenir.
: Don’t. He’ll sue you.

: My, my, my! What an amazing bouquet! Just right for Mr. Edgeworth.
: No kidding. Hey, there’s a card on it… “Back from the Dead – Wendy” (“Wendy?” … I’ve heard that name somewhere before.)
: And beside it…
: A giant Steel Samurai!
: Wow, I want one!
: Huh? There’s something written on the bottom of his foot. “Between a rock and a hard place – Wendy”
: Wendy? Is she Mr. Edgeworth’s fiancee?

: Um… I don’t think so.

: Whoa!
: What a view! It must be nice to have an office on the 12th floor.
: I guess you would feel… important.
: Incidentally…
: Were you to jump out this window, the time until impact with the ground would be…
: …
: Got it!
: Approximately 3.23 seconds!
: (That’s handy to know…)

: Oooh! Cute! What a pretty tea set!
: I go more for the instant tea bags myself.
: Amazing! The drawer below is filled with packets of tea leaves!
: They’re all sorted by place of origin and flavor!
: Look at this Royal blend! What an exquisitely splended concoction!
: (There’s such a thing as taking a hobby too far…)

: Whoa! These are all case files!?
: They’re stacked up to the ceiling! There’s even a ladder…
: Odd… I thought Edgeworth wasn’t good with heights.
: He must have someone get them for him.

: (Strange… Why did I just picture Detective Gumshoe?)
: He must study these case reports so closely…
: He’s so cool!
: You wouldn’t say that if you saw him sweating bullets up on that ladder.

: Hey, a chessboard!
: I’m not too up on my chess but it looks like Blue’s in a bit of a tight spot.
: The Red Knights have surrounded the Blue Pawn…
: Huh?
: Those horses are mounted knights. Their swords have really sharp “edges!” And check out that poor pawn, his head is kind of spiky… Kind of reminds me of you.
: Mr. Edgeworth must be an avid chess player!
: What’s wrong, Mr. Wright?
: (Edges… surrounding a pawn with spiky hair… Nah… It’s nothing.)

Now, to question Edgeworth.

: So, the body was found in your car?
: Go ahead, say it, Wright. You think I did it, don’t you?
: After you went through all that trouble to help me last year, no less.
: N-no, we don’t think you did it!

: Uh, wait, no, she didn’t do that! I mean…
: Wait…
: So you’re the Chief Prosecutor’s little sister, then?
: Y-yes, sir! Ema Skye!
: It, uh…
: It’s nice to meet you again!
: (Now that didn’t sound forced at all…)
: Ah, now I remember. You’ve… really grown.
: I’ll admit, it was a surprise to me, too.
: To think that my own car would become the scene of a murder.
: More surprising still… Now I’m forced to prove my superior’s guilt.
: I can understand… W-wait!.. What did you say!?
: Lana Skye is the Chief Prosecutor… the top prosecutor in the district.
: She can’t prosecute herself, so I’ll be the prosecutor at the trial tomorrow.
: You!?
: Mr. Edgeworth…

: To be honest…
: It’s a bit of a miracle I’m still here at all.
: What do you mean?
: Rumors. You’ve heard the rumors about me, haven’t you?

: Wh-what? That’s crazy!
: Hmph. Some people need very little excuse to think ill of others.
: It’s a fact of life. Impossible to stop.

: They think it’s funny.
: (Toys? That bronze shield? There’s got to be a story behind htat one…)

: It was my first big case.
: That’s right, I remember.
: (Two years ago… I wasn’t even a lawyer yet.)
: Since then, I always felt that she was looking out for me…
: It appears I was mistaken.
: M-mistaken!? Why?
: I mean, I know she’s not the warmest person…
: But I’m sure she felt some responsibility for you!
: Then… why?
: Why did she stab someone in the trunk of my car?

: Wha… Whaaaaaat!?
: Mr. Edgeworth! Your knife was the murder weapon!?
: To be specific, it was the knife kept in the toolbox in the trunk of my car.

: Um… Edgeworth?
: What?
: Are you sure you didn’t do it?
: …
: (C’mon, can’t he take a joke?)
: You have a strange sense of humor, Mr. Wright!

Examining the knife…

: Either that, or Edgeworth cut himself peeling an apple. What’s Edgeworth doing with a knife like this anyway?
: Hey! Maybe he spends his weekends roughing it in the wild!
: Edgeworth? In the wild? I think my fruit-peeling theory is more likely.
: Are you kidding? I always pictured him as an outdoorsman!
: (Now there’s a scary thought…)

Presenting the badge…

: What? You wanted to be a defense attorney, Mr. Edgeworth?
: Yet, my path is laid out clearly before me…
: I have no time to reflect on what might have been.

Presenting the trophy…

: I lost a day of work to receive that travesty.
: Huh? Why’s that?
: I had to go to the Police Department ceremony to receive that broken shield.
: The Police Department?
: Yes. Right next to the Police Station downtown. You’ve been there, correct?

: What does it matter?
: I’ve got more important things to worry about.
: Oh. Right…
: (He doesn’t seem too concerned about his award, for better or for worse.)
: Yesterday was a very busy day for the Prosecutor’s Office.
: Maybe… we should ask him more about yesterday?

Presenting the ID card…

: M-Mr. Wright!
: Huh? What?
: Are you sure you should be showing that to Mr. Edgeworth?
: Oh. (He’ll take it for sure, won’t he.)
: sigh I wish I could be on the same side as Mr. Edgeworth…
: But then my sister would be found guilty!
: (If she sighs any deeper I’m going to start getting depressed…)

And now we have a new topic.

: Could you tell me more about yesterday… the day of the murder?
: Yesterday was the annual cleaning day at the Prosecutor’s Office.
: Cleaning day?
: Working with the Police Department, we sort and file all evidence for solved cases. We call it “evidence transferal.”
: Wiping your hands of old cases, in other words.
: Oh, and another thing…
: A ceremony was held at the Police Department. There’s an annual review and awards for outstanding police officers and prosecutors.

: I was at the police department yesterday afternoon… I got back here at 5:12.
: That’s… very precise.
: People like myself and Mr. Edgeworth pride ourselves on our precision, Mr. Wright.
: No, I place little faith in my memory.

: This is the parking stub from the underground lot.
: (The murder took place around 5:15…)
: So the murder happened right after you got back.
: What, Wright?

: Um…!

: I’m Edgeworth. What is it?
: I’m here, sir, at the request of the Chief, sir! I’ve got your report, sir!
: Report? What? Did you find new evidence in the case against Chief Prosecutor Skye!?

: (I don’t like the way this conversation is going at all…)

: No name of that kind, sir! Not in this report, sir!
: …!
: (I think I just heard Edgeworth’s lid blow.)
: Mr. Edgeworth’s lid isn’t on very tight, is it?
: I made a clear request to the Police Department, did I not? I need to focus on the trial tomorrow, so don’t bring me anything unrelated!

: Sir! But, but sir!

: I wasn’t aware of the particulars of your arrangement with us, sir!
: Give me your name!
: U-uh, yes… yes, Sir! M-M-Meekins, sir. Officer Meekins!
: Right. Officer Meekins?
: Take your report and leave. And good luck with that raise next month.

: (Poor guy. Looks like he was absent on the day they gave out brains and good luck.)
: Wright.
: Y-yes, sir!? (Gah! He caught me off guard!)
: As you can see, I’m busy.
: You may leave now.
: L-let’s do what he says, Mr. Wright!
: The victim was a detective from the same department as that patrolman just now. Go down to the Police Department.
: You can ask more there.
: U-uh… Thanks. (He seems to have finally calmed down at least.)

Examining the parking stub…

: This is dated the day of the crime.
: The murder took place three minutes after Edgeworth parked his car. If only he was held up at a couple extra red lights…
: he wouldn’t have been caught up in this whole affair.
: Perhaps…
: It just goes to show you never know what’ll happen when you run a yellow light!

Next time: Cops.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 4

Since we have to pass through here anyway on our way to our next destination, a brief stop to present the ID card to Angel, which I forgot to do earlier.

: …
: Lunchland vendors only accept cash. No cards.
: Especially not a card belonging to someone else!
: No, no, this isn’t a credit card. It’s an ID card. It belongs to a detective…
: And you’re showing this to me, the lunch lady, why?
: That’s like showing a fine honeyed ham to a detective!
: (Why do I always feel like I’m being mocked?)

Anyway, to the police department.

: Whew…
: We’re finally here.
: Why would they put the detectives so far away from the Prosecutor’s Office?
: That took almost 30 minutes by taxi… and traffic wasn’t even that bad. This is my first time to the Police Department, actually.

Something flashes.

: ?

: They’re trying to make him the police mascot.

: Forget the Blue Badger! Who’s that next to him!?
: Someone appears to be… dancing with the Blue Badger… Uh oh. He noticed me.
: He sure is running over here fast…
: H-h-h-hey, pal! W-w-w-what’re you doin’ here!?
: That’s my line, Detective Gumshoe. Specifically, why were you dancing over there?
: What!? Um, well…
: (Well, at least he doesn’t seem to be busy. This is our chance to get information!)
: Hey! I’ll have you know I’m a very busy man, pal.

But before we ask Gumshoe anything, let’s stare at the scenery for a while.

: I always get excited when I come to the police station.
: Why is that?
: It just feels like I’ve jumped into a movie.
: Huh?
: You know, with all the police and criminals.
: W-well, I don’t know if this is all that exciting.
: Sure it is! Look at those two officers over there.
: They’re probably talking about the latest bust!
: … Funny, I thought they were talking about the weather.

: The detectives in there look pretty busy.
: Just imagine! Right now… Behind those doors…!
: A police drama in action!
: … (Somehow, the thought fails to excite me…)

: What? The Dancing Blue Badger?
: It’s my masterpiece!

: Poor Blue Badger… fated to dance until he drops.

(Sadly, the check is just the Blue Badger unmoving.)

: Look, that patrolman is saluting the other guy. He must be a detective!
: And then I said “hey, you do that, your soup will get cold, buddy.”
: Th-That’s hilarious, sir! I laughed so hard I cried!
: …
: I guess he wasn’t saluting, he was wiping tears from his eyes.
: They make a good pair.

: Mr. Wright! Do you know why patrol cars are painted black and white?
: No idea. Why?
: Well, I think they’re designed after a panda!
: A panda…?
: Not that I have scientific proof. It’s just a theory.
: Um… do you mind me asking how you came up with that theory?
: It was when I was on a school trip! I saw a patrol car and it came to me!
: We had just been at the zoo, see…
: … What about zebras? Or did they not have those at your zoo?

: The banner here is announcing the “Crime Fighting Campaign.”
: Nice slogan…
: I wonder if they’ll be selling fingerptinting sets.
: I don’t think it’s that kind of campaign.
: What family wouldn’t want a set at home?
: It’s good for finding out who snuck into the cookie jar.
: I think most families can figure that out without the extra help.

: The usual wanted posters are hanging up on the bulletin board here. <<Do you know this face!? If you do, dial 911!>>
: You know, Mr. Wright, I’ve always thought it was kind of funny… I’ve never seen anyone who looked like the people in these posters.
: They hardly even look human!
: … (She has a point…)

Now we can pester Gumshoe.

: I’ll give you one word of advice, pal.
: You’d better not agree to defend the suspect in this case.
: Wh… Why not?
: Huh?
: Well… It’s just that the Chief Prosecutor has confessed to the crime.

: But, what if she’s not telling the truth!?
: Yes, well… no! C’mon, pal!
: There’s plenty of evidence against her!
: B-but what if the evidence was faked?
: Hey, pal.
: Can I speak to you for a second?
: Huh? Me?
: Why is this little girl so peeved at me?

: Whoa!!! The Chief Prosecutor’s little sister!?
: Just, please investigate this case carefully, okay?
: Scientifically!
: Yessir!
: Oh, by the way.
: You might want to keep your voices down.
: You don’t want to be overheard using words like “faked”…
: Huh?
: It’s just… it’s a sensitive issue with us these days.

: So… what are you doing here, Detective Gumshoe?
: Me? Oh, well… nothing, really.
: They kicked me out of Criminal Affairs…
: Detective Gumshoe! What did you do this time?
: Whaddya mean, “this time”!?
: Then, what happened? I know things are busy right now… I mean…
: with my sister’s case and all…
: It’s true. We’ve never had a Chief Prosecutor murder anyone before!
: Only the highest-ranked people are being let into Criminal Affairs now… The lowest ranking guy in there is our chief of detectives.
: They’re not letting any of us rank-and-file detectives in at all.
: None of you?
: (I know this is an important trial, but isn’t that a little odd?)

: Um… Isn’t there anything else you could be doing?
: The Chief of Police himself is directing the investigation, pal.

: Officer Marshall…
: (Now that I think about it, Ema did seem to know that Marshall guy.)
: A patrolman in charge of a crime scene…
: It’s unheard of, pal!

Now, presenting the badge.

: You show this to me every time we meet, pal.
: Real men show their police badge. 'Nuff said!
: I wish had a badge… Even an ID card would be nice…

Their typo, there.

: (Wait… Speaking of ID cards, I found that detective’s card, didn’t I…?)

So we present that.

: Huh? Hey, pal! This is a detective’s ID card!
: You can’t just keep that! You have to turn it in to the police!
: It’s people like you that get me into so much trouble all the time!
: (Meaning Detective Gumshoe must drop his card a lot.)
: Hmm… let’s see… “Bruce Goodman”…
: Goodman… Sounds familiar…
: …
: Nah, my mistake.
: But, don’t you work together with him in Criminal Affairs?
: Whoa!!! Now I remember! Bruce Goodman!
: He’s the victim!
: (That’s what I thought…)
: Can you tell us more, Detective Gumshoe?

: He was a detective, like myself.
: Detective Bruce Goodman.
: Hmm… Don’t you think it’s strange?

: There was an evidence transferal for a case he handled two years ago.
: Evidence transferal… Mr. Edgeworth mentioned that too.
: But… Detective Goodman was killed at the Prosecutor’s Office…
: Well, that’s the thing…
: It’s hard to say this, but…

: (And Lana’s confessing as much…)

It was at this point I remembered I hadn’t shown profiles.

Anyway, back to Gumshoe. We present the parking slip.

: What would drive Chief Prosecutor Skye to do such a thing?
: …
: W-wait, I didn’t mean…
: I mean, sure, of course someone else really did it!
: Someone who must have, um…
: Someone who must have a grudge against Mr. Edgeworth!
: (The car and the knife do seem a little too well-organized to be a coincidence.)
: Poor Mr. Edgeworth… What could have happened?
: (We have to find out a little more about what’s going on with Edgeworth…)

Speaking of which, I forgot to examine the trophy more closely. On the bottom…

: Hm. It looks like the names of all the previous recipients are engraved on it.
: Wow. One guy’s listed a bunch of times! “von Karma”… I guess he must be a foreigner?
: Uh, yeah. That’s probably it.
: Well wherever he’s from, he must have been an amazing prosecutor!
: I’d like to meet this Mr. “von Karma” sometime!
: (When she says it, his name does have kind of a ring to it…)

We present the trophy.

: That’s the “King of Prosecutors” award that Mr. Edgeworth got yesterday!
: Were you at the awards ceremony, Detective Gumshoe?
: Of course, pal! I got an award for diligence, myself.
: Ah… congratulations.
: I was wondering, why is the award a shield?
: And… why is it broken?
: Oh, there’s a reason.
: Um…
: I’ll tell you what it is later.
: (Apparently, he’s forgotten.)
: But, I was proud of Mr. Edgeworth for winning that award.
: He’s even got naysayers in the Prosecutor’s Office.
: (Yeah, we’ve heard about the rumors…)

: He’s in a tough spot, again…
: “Again”…?

: But Edgeworth was found innocent!
: Listen, pal, there have always been rumors about Edgeworth. Forging evidence, making deals with witnesses… Nothing outright, but there were always whispered rumors.
: Ever since he was accused of murder, no one’s whispering. They’re practically shouting!
: But… but there’s no evidence against him!
: Well, Mr. Edgeworth has always had unusually strong ties to the department higher-ups.
: It’s only natural that people would be suspicious.
: (I had no idea he was under the gun…)
: Anyway, this latest case has started a new rumor.
: People say the only reason he took this case… is because he’s aiming for the Chief Prosecutor position himself!
: W-what!?
: But I know the truth, pal! Nobody wants to be the one who has to prosecute the chief prosecutor!
: Mr. Edgeworth is biting the bullet on this one! He’s doing this for all of us! …
: And that’s all I know about that.
: I’m not officially on the case, you know.
: Thank you!
: Why aren’t you handling the case, Detective Gumshoe? We met the guy who is… what was his name? The guy in the parking lot…
: That’d be Officer Marshall.
: He was appointed directly by the Chief of Police…
: Officer Marshall… Is he some kind of Wild West sheriff or something?
: No, Jake Marshall’s just a regular officer…
: From West LA.
: For a moment there, I wasn’t sure.
: Look, pal, let me try to make things a little easier for you.

: (I’ll be surprised if this gets us anywhere…)
: Just act like you’re supposed to be there, and nobody will look at you twice, pal!

: Maybe it was a letter or something to Detective Gumshoe.
: Let’s see…
: “Annual bonus: $20.”
: Um… I think a couple zeros are missing.
: No, that sounds about right. (At least in that detective’s case…)
: … Maybe I should rethink my career as an investigator.

Next time: The crime scene, at last.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 1) - Part 5

: (Looks like the investigation is still going…)
: I have to be getting back to the shop…
: Sorry… Looks like I’ll be stuck in this pit 'til the sun sleeps.
: I’ll see you in my dreams tonight, then, baby.

: Ah, h-hello.
: Why the surprised looks? Didn’t I mention…?
: I’ve got a boyfriend in Criminal Affairs, too.
: (What happened to the security guard!?)

She leaves.

: Hey! What’s wrong, bambina?

: (Jake Marshall… Strange guy to put in charge of a crime scene.)

Now we can chat Marshall up.

: There’s something I wanted to ask you!
: The scene of the crime… a cold grave for men who’ve lost their dreams… And me? I watch over them as they sleep… dreaming of the desert’s harsh judgment.
: …
: He’s asleep.
: Well… should we show this hopeless case something to catch his interest?

It doesn’t matter what we ask - that’s all we get until we present the letter.

: What’s this? I warn you, fan letters to me go right in the spittoon!
: It’s a letter of introduction from Detective Gumshoe. May we investigate?
: Gumshoe…? Ah, that old cowdog?

: Huh?
: Look, where it should say letter of “introduction”… It says “invitation.”
: Ah… I think he just miswrote it. (Great, Detective Gumshoe. I owe you one…)
: No worries. This proves it’s from Detective Gumshoe, better than a blood test.
: Guess I’d better let you in, then.
: Th-thank you, Officer Marshall!
: (Officer Marshall isn’t a “detective”… he’s a “patrolman”… That reminds me of something…)
: That is odd!
: Isn’t a crime scene supposed to be handled by a detective or higher?
: Well, folks. The clues are calling! Welcome to our gold strike. Be like the settler! Strike out for lands unknown! Manifest Destiny!
: Let’s have a hootenanny!
: Note to self: police investigations are like settling land.
: Well, Mr. Wright, what do you say!?

So Nick tosses it out. Now we can examine the crime scene.

: “A Block”… This area is reserved for prosecutors.
: Defense attorneys are relegated to “B Block.”
: I dream of the day when I will be able to park my car here!
: I’ll go over to B Block to buy my hamburgers from you, Mr. Wright.
: I’m not planning on giving up my job that soon…

: Look! Something’s written on it!

: There’s a name printed on the paper above that… “Goodman.”
: (Maybe it fell out of his pocket when he was killed.)

: How am I supposed to know?
: Note to self: for deductive reasoning, go to Edgeworth, not Wright.
: (I’m sure Edgeworth wouldn’t know what this means either.)

This only shows the image above. Can’t move it around.

: This appears to be the car where the body was found. (It looks like the lock on the trunk is busted.)

: The body was found in the trunk of my subordinate’s car.

: Yeah. Prosecutors get the big bucks.

: Scientific analysis would suggest this belonged to the victim!
: I can’t think of anyone else it could belong to…

: (Right! Let’s check it out.)

The game automatically jumps us to investigating it.

: Redial…?
: Um,
: Mr. Wright? Most phones keep a record of all the calls you’ve made and received. You just press the blue button to dial the last number you called.
: Convenient, isn’t it? I’m surprised you didn’t know about it.
: Sorry to disappoint you, but even I know about things like “redial.”
: Huh? Oh, I’m sorry! It’s just, you never know with people from your generation.
: (Whatever… let’s check this phone out.)

: What’s wrong with it? Everyone has different tastes, you know.
: Here, check out mine. It’s a Pink Princess strap!
: These are hard to come by, you know.
: (I see he’s as popular as ever with the kids…)

: Note to self: a defense attorney doesn’t think first, he just pushes the button.

: Hey! That song! I know that!

: Ah! Oh, s-sorry.
: I see you, pardner!

: Uh, well, yeah…
: Whose phone is this, anyway? It was on the ground over there…

: What? It’s my sister’s!?
: She apparently dropped it when she was taken into custody, right after the crime. Look… the last call was made right when the murder occurred! Looks like she was fixing to call someone.
: Except she only spoke for a few seconds, according to this.
: Who did she call!?
: No idea.
: Sorry, pardner. Now, I got a question for you, pardner.
: I heard a phone ring just now… one of those new-fangled ring-tunes.

: Your phone!?
: Yeah, uh, it’s kind of strange, but… Someone called me right as we picked up the other phone, a wrong number…
: … I hope you’re not lying…
: They shoot you for that in Texas, pardner!
: (Uh oh, I’ve incited the wrath of the Lone Star patrolman…)

Back to looking around.

: This rope… is it…?
: Yep. They laid it in the outline of the victim’s body.
: …
: So wait…
: The victim must have died when the killer closed the trunk on him!
: … (You have got to be the only person I know that would come to that conclusion.)

Now, let’s talk to Marshall. We present the badge.

: A beam of light, illuminating evildoers who come in the dark of night!
: Note to self: evildoers are weak against starlight.
: (Hey, that’s a sheriff’s badge!)

: Officer Marshall? Could you tell us more about the victim?

: Good men always die young. Remember that, pardner.
: Um… could you be a little more specific?

: Detective Goodman was stabbed here at 5:15…
: The smiling Madonna told me the tale…

: One stab to the chest. A fine piece of work.

: Was my sister involved with the victim in any way?
: Funny you should mention that, bambina. Chief Prosecutor Skye and Detective Goodman…
: had nothing in common at all.
: Nothing in common…?
: They apparently worked together on a case a few years back.
: (So… there’s no motive!)
: Goodman wasn’t a particularly gifted detective.

: But, my sister called the victim here on the day of the murder, right?
: Here… to this parking lot?
: So it seems. Like calling an unarmed man to a shootout at high noon.

: Um, I don’t mean any offense, but… Officer Marshall, you’re a patrolman, right? Not a detective.
: You callin’ me out? They shoot you for that in Texas.
: Huh?
: I was one of them fancy-shoed “Detectives” till two years ago, to tell ya the truth.
: Oh, really? (Now he tells me!)
: But, you’re a patrolman now. So how can you be in charge of a crime scene?
: Nothing gets by you, does it, bambina?
: So, why are you in charge?
: No reason. We’re just short on hands right now. I’m keeping an eye out in the meantime.
: That’s odd, though.

: He’s nothing but a sad ol’ cowdog, that can’t find his tail.
: Maybe it’s because he runs with that Edgeworth, eh?
: Edgeworth…?
: That cowdog’s been kicked out of this cattle run… by order of the Chief of Police.

: (Detective Gumshoe, kicked out of the investigation!?)

: So, there’s no connection between Detective Goodman and my sister!
: That’s correct, but… There’s a goldmine of evidence against her…
: …!
: And the prospector tomorrow is none other than Edgeworth himself… I’m afraid your sister’s fate is decided, bambina. Many condolences.
: Officer Marshall!
: Yeah, bambina?
: H-how can you say that! You and my sister,
: you were…
: (Is there something between this cop and her sister that I don’t know about?)
: …!
: I apologize, bambina. Something must have gotten to me.

: (Dry wind or ill will, someone’s up to something here… but who?)

: Suspicions about Mr. Edgeworth have been flying around for nearly two years now.
: Forged evidence… arranging testimonies, you name it.
: He was unbeatable because he did whatever it took to win.

: But rumors are just… rumors, aren’t they?
: These are prosecutors we’re talking about! Evidence is everything to them!
: If you follow the rumors about Edgeworth to their source, you find one person… But… they’re off limits. Untouchable, you might say.
: One person? Who?

: What!? My sister…?

: Edgeworth couldn’t rustle all those cattle by himself. Some people load their guns with bullets, some people load them with “deals.”
: What, you’re saying Edgeworth was making deals to win trials?
: “Where there’s gunshots, there’s bound to be bullets.” That’s what the old-timers say.
: There’s a big ol’ secret hidden around here somewhere. Everyone knows it.
: (Is that why Detective Gumshoe was taken off the case…? Did they target him because he was closest to Edgeworth?)
: So, well, how are we doing, Mr. Wright?
: I guess we’ve got some clues… We have an autopsy report, a note from the victim, and a cell phone…
: So… you think we’ll be okay?
: Well, the only thing still bothering me is that Lana is confessing to the crime. She says she did it!
: No problem!
: I can guarantee that she’s not the criminal.
: Oh, by the way, Ema?
: Yes?
: I know that song your phone plays when it rings…
: What…?

: It’s the Steel Samurai theme song, isn’t it? That popular TV show… for kids?
: …!

: it was yours. At 5:18, just after the murder took place…

: Your sister called you, didn’t she, Ema?
: I… I’m sorry!
: Can you tell me what you talked about?
: I… She hung up right away.
: I see…

And the cell phone is updated.

: (I’ve got a bad feeling about this… Like… maybe I still don’t know everything that went on here…)

Next time: Trial.

[morsrattus]

(just a little more filler)

[morsrattus]

(almost there)

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 1

: Frankly, there are still a lot of… gray areas.
: Or rather, the whole thing is one big gray area…
: Don’t worry about me, no matter what the outcome.
: I’m ready to accept my fate.
: I believe in you, sis.
: Mr. Wright, let me offer you a word of advice.
: Yes?
: A defense attorney should
: never “believe” their client.
: …!
: The defendant is called to trial because they are suspected of wrongdoing!
: Never forget that.
: Ms. Skye, you… You remind me a lot of Mia. But there is one decisive difference between you and her.
: And that is?
: You’re not a defense attorney.
: …
: I believe it’s almost time for the trial.
: Good luck, Mr. Wright.

: (No one’s going to bail me out this time…)

: (I’ll be alone in there… So I have to discover the truth all by myself!)

: The court is now in session for the trial of Ms. Lana Skye.
: The defense is ready, Your Honor.
: The prosecution has been ready for a while, Your Honor.
: i[/i]

: I hope that personal feelings will not be a part of the proceedings today, Mr. Wright.
: …!
: I will choose the path I think is right, regardless of what those around me might say.
: The judgment to be made here is in our hands, not those of anyone else.
: Very well, Mr. Edgeworth, your opening statement please.
: Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye has committed an unpardonable crime.
: Not only this, but she was rash enough to commit it in the Prosecutor’s Office lot!

: However, she will now pay for her rashness with her life. There was a witness to her crime…
: A “professional” witness!

: Well then, call your first witness, Mr. Edgeworth!
: The prosecution calls its first witness, Ms. Angel Starr, to the stand.
: (The “Cough-up Queen”…?)

: Hmm? Haven’t I seen you somewhere…?

: Ho ho! Caviar! I’ve never eaten caviar before!
: (The judge is really wolfing it down…)

: Uh… thanks.
: Will the witness state her name and profession?

: It is too early for lunch. Your name and profession, please.
: …
: Well, Your Honor? How does it taste?
: So this is why everyone raves about caviar!
: It’s so tasty it hurts!
: I always thought caviar would taste like pickled tapioca.
: (What the heck does pickled tapioca taste like!?)

: Name. Profession. Now.
: Me? The name is Angel Starr.
: Don’t go forgetting it. I find myself running Lunchland these days.
: Is… that what you wanted me to say, Mr. Edgeworth?
: Very well, witness. Please describe the incident to us.
: The prosecution will wait!
: I’m not finished eating…
: (Hurry it up!)
: Mmmm…
: Very well, Mr. Edgeworth. As you know, we usually call on the police to provide a description of the crime…
: Your Honor, as Mr. Edgeworth has said to the court…
: I am a… “professional.”
: Uh… Huh?
: What exactly does that mean?
: Until two years ago, Ms. Angel Starr was a special investigator with the police. She was a first-rate homicide detective.

: …
: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-hah! I-I know who you are!!!
: Cough-up…!?
: Cough-up Queen Angel Starr, Your Honor.
: Long time no see.

: V-v-very well! Y-you may continue with the description, Ms. Starr!
: (Just who is this lady!?)
: If I might have the court’s attention over here…

: I suppose that’s to keep visitors from taking up prosecutor’s spaces, yes.

: And who was this valiant “witness”…?
: Why, it was me, Your Honor.

We get the floor plans seen above added to the Court Record. I forgot to open it up here. Whoops.

: Witness, did you see the very moment of the crime?
: Of course, Your Honor.
: Immediately after that, I apprehended the Chief Prosecutor.
: Hmm…
: It seems rather cut and dry, doesn’t it?
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: Uh… I can’t agree on principle, Your Honor.
: It seems that some poor losers are unwilling to accept the truth, Your Honor.
: Shall I proceed to crush what little hope they have remaining?
: If you can… Then give them your worst, Ms. Starr!
: (Wait, are they talking about me…!?)

: Hmm… Bringing a lunchbox to your boyfriend?
: How touching!
: Hmph. As you can see…
: There is no room for doubt.
: The key “point” of your testimony seems to be nothing other than…
: the point of the knife which you saw being stabbed into Detective Goodman!
: So… how does it feel to be so utterly crushed?
: I… I’m still thinking about that.
: I-it’s merely a flesh wound, Mr. Wright!
: Very well, Mr. Wright. You may cross-examine the witness.

: How did you know!?
: I respect the prosecutors’ basic abhorrence of crime. Yet their methods are ugly and twisted.
: Twisted methods will always lead to tragedy.

: The lunchlady’s uninformed opinion is duly noted.
: Given that they are used to erasing inconvenient evidence at their whim…

: Killing off a detective that knew too much is merely an extension of that.
: …
: Ms. Starr… do you have something personal against prosecutors?
: I felt that I had found my dream job when I became an investigator…
: And if I hadn’t been laid off by those prosecutors over there, I’d still be one.
: Laid off…?
: (She was fired…)
: To me, prosecutors are nothing more than worms.
: That said, I am a pro, as you know. My testimony is unbiased… and flawless.

: Very well. You may continue, Ms. Starr.

: This boyfriend… he’s the detective?
: Not that boyfriend. The security guard.
: Th-“that” boyfriend?
: You have… several?
: Yes. “This” boyfriend, “that” boyfriend, and “the other” boyfriend. Care to join?
: The “yet another” boyfriend position is still open for applicants.
: …
: I-I’ll stick with the lunch, thanks.
: Note to self: the judge had to think before replying.
: The security guard room is in the lot, in A Block.

: (That would be the room with the “SECURITY” sign.)

: Since I’m a visitor now, I parked in B Block.
: So… she was in B Block when she witnessed the crime.

: You “sensed” something? So, you’re saying you had a premonition of the murder?
: It felt like… how would you say… Oh yes…
: It was like the feeling you get when you view a pumpkin chock full of seeds!
: I have no idea what that means.
: Speaking of a “detective’s instincts”…

: Yes, well, he was like a young cheese.
: A… young cheese?
: A pale white cheese, not yet tangy with experience on the streets. A greenhorn.
: Hmm…
: I, of course, am hard, yellowed, sharp as a tack.
: I bet you stink, too.
: In any case, there, in the lot, I felt something stirring in the back of my mind…

: By “garish car,” you mean…
: Mr. Edgeworth’s car, yes.
: M-Mr. Edgeworth’s!?

: Wasn’t it?
: …
: Indeed, it was.

: Hmm!
: What an odd case this is.
: And the person you saw… you are sure it was the defendant?
: I saw her from no further than thirty feet away.
: I am certain it was her.
: (If she’s telling the truth, we’re doomed!)

: Even if we don’t have any proof, we can always complain!

: Witness! In your testimony, you clearly stated the following: Prosecutors are nothing more than worms.
: Ergo!
: You are a biased witness!
: You might want to keep those silly opinions to YOURSELF in the future, rookie.
: Huh? Rookie?
: Unless you’re willing to risk the consequences of doubting me?

: That…
: That was inspiring!
: I believe I’ve heard that tag line elsewhere… you could cry plagiarism?

: The moment I witnessed the crime,
: my reflexes took over and snap! I took a picture.

: (I suppose that’s more exciting than just hanging it around your neck.)

: You think I’d show it to you, a prosecutor? Think again.
: …!
: My boyfriend works in the photography division of Criminal Affairs.

: (Uh oh, that is unmistakably Lana Skye!)
: So, what was the defendant doing at the time?

: Tell me more about this knife that the suspect was carrying.

: Is that right, Mr. Edgeworth? It is your knife, after all.
: Er… Ahem, yes, that’s about right.
: Prosecutors are, by nature, well-versed in the location of a man’s vital organs.
: I’m sure it was easier than boiling an egg for my egg salad surprise set.

: Y-you can’t testify as to her ability to kill an egg! I mean, a person!
: Hmm? Perhaps a chicken salad set would have been a better metaphor?
: So, the defendant was holding a knife. What then?

: Tell the court why you didn’t try to stop this crime!
: You did see her raise the knife to strike, no?
: Hmm…
: The defense has a point.
: Unfortunately, by the time I realized what was going on, it was already too late.
: Too late…?

: I… I see.

And loop.

: I-it’s only a flesh wound, Mr. Wright! We can make it!
: You said that before. Anything else?
: Scientifically speaking…
: Ms. Starr’s testimony… is flawless.
: (Sounds pretty fatal to me.)
: Wh-what do we do!? Is this it? Is my sister guilty!?
: Let’s just keep our heads cool and press the witness a bit, shall we? (For some reason, having her panicking next to me makes me calmer…)
: D-don’t smile like that!

It’s been a while since you’ve had to…but can you spot the contradiction?

Next time: More lunch.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 2

: And you witnessed this?
: You saw Ms. Skye stab the victim with the knife?

: Hmm!!!
: I’m sure that is a fine lunch!

: This is the photograph you took of the very moment of the crime, is it not?

: …
: …
: …
: Ahem.
: Mr. Edgeworth, your thoughts?
: Objection.

Yes, he just says it - no cut in, no shouting.

: Let’s be a little more careful with our evidence, shall we?
: It is you that needs to be more careful, Mr. Wright!
: What do you mean, Mr. Edgeworth?

: H-how can you tell that!?
: Blood splatter.
: Huh?

: (It’s a black-and-white photograph!)
: Ah… yes, it’s hard to tell, but this could be blood.

: Mr. Wright! Are you going to just sit there and take that kind of abuse!?

: Now that you mention it, I see no problem here.
: Other than myself.
: M-Mr. Wright! You can’t just let him walk all over you! Th-that’s just sad!

: Well, that was a waste of time.
: Let’s continue with the testimony.
: (Perhaps I should have dug a little deeper…)

But if we object…

: Wait! That contradicts what the witness said in her testimony!
: Namely, that she took the picture the “moment” she witnessed the crime!
: Well, it seems I was slightly unclear.
: My apologies.
: …
: …
: Th-that’s it!?
: If you run out of lunch, you order seconds. Problem solved!
: If you don’t like it, try ordering the jumbo-sized lunch from the get-go!
: Good advice. I’m not sure I understood it, but… good advice.
: I didn’t have time to stop her.

: She killed without pain or remorse! It was a premeditated murder!

: P-premeditated!?
: How do you know!?

: Surgical gloves made of thin rubber, most likely. Why would she have those on?
: Uh…

: These gloves do seem to tell a tale of premeditation!
: Premeditated murder… a serious offense.
: Witness! Add this to your testimony!

: What if she was just in the habit of wearing gloves? Like, driving gloves?

: The gloves were admitted as evidence when the defendant was arrested!
: They were rubber gloves, of the kind used for autopsies!
: In other words, when the chief prosecutor came to the crime scene… She came to do murder!
: It’s the only possible conclusion one can make.

: Everything was planned, it was a premeditated crime!

: Impressive! I’m sorry they took you off the force, Ms. Starr!
: (This is bad… She’s got them thinking this was all planned…)
: (If she can prove this claim, the trial’s already over!)
: (I’ve got to think of a way to show that this wasn’t premeditated!)

And loop. So, how do we prove it?

: Are you trying to test me? I sell box lunches for a living, you know. That’s a knife. THE knife.
: The knife that was in Mr. Edgeworth’s trunk!
: Indeed, it is my knife.

: What’s with this case!?
: The bloody murder weapon, a red car… all belonging to the prosecutor there!?

: The defense has a request.
: We ask that the witness provide an ACCURATE testimony.
: What’s that, Rookie?
: In your testimony…
: You stated that Lana Skye planned this murder. And that’s why she was wearing those special gloves.
: Seems like a natural conclusion to me! The gloves do indicate planning…
: However!
: Why would she not also prepare the most important thing… the murder weapon!?

: Order! Order! Order!
: (Great! Now the tide is turning in our favor!)
: Great show, Mr. Wright!
: My sister’s as good as free!

: Wright.

: W-what!?
: I hope you weren’t deluding yourself into thinking that the “tide has turned.”
: Not over such a trifling detail!
: B-but this shoots a hole
: in the whole premeditated theory!
: Bah!
: The prosecution could care less if it was premeditated or not.

: !
: The defendant, Lana Skye, murdered a detective with a knife.

: That is the only thing the prosecution need prove. Nothing else.
: Very good, Mr. Prosecutor… I suppose you think you’re clever now?
: But you know as well as I do that she planned on killing him! It was planned! If she wasn’t, why would she have been wearing…

: I believe I’d like to hear your testimony again.
: Witness, please tell us only what you “saw,” not what you “thought.”
: How dare you!

: My powers of deduction are not to be underestimated!
: (Really now…)

: The victim was summoned from the Police Department to the Prosecutor’s Office…
: It does sound a lot like premeditation, doesn’t it!?
: So, if I order pizza, does that mean I’m planning to kill the delivery boy?
: In any case, the defense may now cross-examine the witness.

: You’ve said that, but you haven’t told us how you know!

: I believe what she just said was a mere prelude to the story she is about to tell.
: Try not to interrupt her again.
: Rookie…

: Never interrupt a storyteller! It’s like pulling a bun out of the oven half-baked!
: (Something’s half-baked here alright, and it’s you!)
: Try not to confuse the defense, witness. They’re not very quick on their feet.
: Now, why did you believe the suspect had intentions to murder the victim?
: Her actions speak for themselves!

: You have no proof that Ms. Skye called him there!
: You have no proof that she didn’t!
: Hmm…
: Mr. Edgeworth, thoughts?

: She might have written him a letter!
: (C’mon! You could have tried “public phone” first, at least!)
: In any case, the victim came to the Prosecutor’s Office, where he was murdered.

: I’m sure he had a reason to be there.
: Witness? Why do you think it was the suspect who summoned the victim that day?

: What kind of “grudge”!?
: Well, I wouldn’t know that.
: Of course you don’t! That’s because she didn’t have a grudge!
: Rookie…

: H-how am I supposed to know!?
: See? We agree there is a lunchbox here, but we don’t know what’s inside!
: A person’s life is like a lunchbox with pretzels. Don’t you agree?
: I-I get it! That’s why my lunch was so salty!
: (This judge isn’t very good with metaphors…)

: Will you tell us your basis for thinking this?
: It’s simple…

: A “human machine”!?
: That’s a contradiction!

: Please…
: Can’t you find fault with something of substance, Mr. Wright?
: Note to self: Mr. Edgeworth’s sighs smell like citrus fruit.
: Umm…
: You say “again and again”… how many times did she stab him, exactly?
: We often say “chop into a thousand pieces,” but we don’t actually mean 1,000 pieces.
: What difference does it make if the deed is done!?
: (How come she’s getting mad at me!?)
: Let’s just say she stabbed him several times and leave it at that.
: (Leave it at that!? This is a murder case, people!)
: Mr. Wright, you should speak up if you have an objection, you know!

And loop.

: (Ms. Starr has turned out to be as short-tempered as she looked when we met her.)
: (Challenging her abilities as a detective really set her off!)
: The short wick burns out the fastest!
: It’s a scientific fact!
: I wonder… wouldn’t it depend on the size of the candle? I mean, add more wax and even a really short wick will burn longer…
: …
: Obviously, more scientific testing is required!

So, can you spot the problem?

Next time: Angel Starr continues speaking.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 3

: You say she stabbed him again and again…
: But you couldn’t have witnessed that!
: Are you testing me…?
: Then I’ll test you!

: I’m afraid the moss is growing under our feet as we wait, Ms. Starr.
: …!?
: W-what do you mean?

: The autopsy report states that death was due to a loss of blood… from one stab wound.

: Ah hah! You’re right!
: Good show, Mr. Edgeworth!
: What a hunk!
: He’s my hero, really.
: (What about my objection? No one noticed?)
: Well, witness?

: Uh… oh, thanks.
: I always believed that no one could ever mistake ketchup for blood…
: But now, I realize that such mistakes are possible.
: So…
: You’re saying you mistook something… for blood?
: When she lifted her knife, I thought I saw blood at her breast…

: That’s why I thought she must have stabbed him at least twice.

: Then tell us what you saw that you thought was blood!
: Testify!
: …

: Her red muffler?
: Yes, like a scarf. The Chief Prosecutor always wears one around her neck.
: So she can be easily hanged at a moment’s notice, I suppose…
: (She’s right…)

: But wait…
: Isn’t it odd that you mistook that for splattered blood?
: …
: Well, people often mistake my beard…
: For a bib.
: (A judge with a bib. That’s why this place feels so much like kindergarten sometimes.)
: Actually…

: There was only one knife wound.
: …
: (Apparently, Ms. Starr isn’t entirely sure of her own testimony.)
: Mr. Wright!
: This is our chance!!!
: Chance for what, I wonder…?

And loop. This should be easy.

: Ms. Starr! I demand an explanation…

: The witness is clearly not suited for detective work.
: W-what!?
: The suspect was not wearing
: a scarf or muffler of any kind when she stabbed the victim.

: Only a true professional could be so clueless.
: I’m sure you’ll make a good lunchlady, have no fear.
: Hmm!
: Harsh words! But good!
: In the end, Mr. Edgeworth prevails!
: (What was my objection, chopped liver!?)
: B-but it was there, a scarf, no, not that, but something red! Really!

: Well now, where were we?
: The witness has given us an entertaining interlude, now back to business.
: Wh-what!?

: Very well, witness. Continue your testimony.
: You saw the crime, and apprehended the suspect…
: Tell us about that.
: …
: Very well.
: I do remember some things accurately, at least.
: (Ultimately, we couldn’t shake the most important part of her testimony.)
: The most important part…?
: The part where your sister stabs the victim! (This next testimony might just be the moment of truth!)

: You are quite determined about this scarf, aren’t you?
: I strike like a snake and bite like a cobra!
: That’s me. Angel Starr.
: That’s not a very good metaphor. First of all, a cobra is a kind of snake.
: Don’t bother me with details, unless you want to get bitten!
: N-no thanks!
: Note to self: Attorney Wright gets bitten by snake.
: The chief prosecutor tried to resist, but her efforts were in vain.
: She knocked my hands aside, kicked over an oil drum…
: O-oil drum? (Hard to imagine…)
: Oh, she’s beautiful, but deadly! A predator, this one! A leopard woman! Rowr!
: Very well, Mr. Wright. Your cross-examination, if you will.

: (That’s right…)

: She was obviously trying to hide herself.
: Quite a natural thing for a criminal to do!
: And what did you do then?

: You say “quickly”… were you close to the suspect?
: As I just said!
: I was only 30 feet away from her the whole time.

: That would make it about 30 feet from the car, yes.
: Is that correct, Ms. Starr?
: Y-yes, that’s right.

: I went over it, of course.
: Amazing! The Cough-up Queen, lunchlady athlete, indeed.
: It would have taken her a little time to climb over the fence.
: So she couldn’t have gotten to my sister THAT fast…

: (How come Ms. Skye didn’t get away?)

: She mentioned the muffler?
: What exactly did she say?
: If I remembered exactly, I would have told you in my testimony!
: i[/i]
: Anyway, all I heard her say was the word “muffler.”
: Just that one word?
: So… what you heard wasn’t the suspect talking to you, but to someone else?
: Yes. The chief prosecutor was talking on her phone!

: Yes, ultimately.
: Ultimately?
: My memory…

: It’s like a salmon, heading upstream, you see.
: N-no, the court doesn’t see, Ms. Starr.

: On the wall?

: Apparently, it was out of order.
: And so she used her cell phone?

: Hmm.
: Good witnessing, witness!
: (Good witnessing? What ever happened to good testifying?)

: You should of course add this to your testimony.
: The things I do to please this rookie defense attorney.

And the cell phone evidence is updated to note the call and the whole ‘muffler’ thing.

: Um… do you think you could restate your testimony for the court?
: Ah hah! I was going to ask the same thing!
: I’ll only say this one time, so listen close, Rookies.

: The chief prosecutor hung up her phone!
: And you
: saw her doing this?

: …?
: What is it, Mr. Wright?

: She “made to escape”…
: Can you be more specific?
: She brushed aside my hand and ran! It was a terrible sight to see, like a dollop of lard on a pate of foie gras!
: i[/i]
: She even kicked over an oil drum at me!
: A-an oil drum!?

: There was an oil drum lying on its side at the scene of the crime.
: But, it’s strange…
: Hmm? What’s that?
: If she wanted to escape…
: why didn’t she run the other way?

: Th-that’s right!
: It doesn’t make any sense that she would run from behind the partition to the oil drums!
: …

And loop.

: Excellent! More mysteries!
: I wish we could solve a few before finding more, though…
: (So Ms. Skye tried to run?)
: I’m sorry my sister is so suspicious, Mr. Wright…
: Not as sorry as I am.
: But she didn’t do it! You have to believe me!

So, can you spot a problem in this testimony?

Next time: Trying to solve a few mysteries.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 4

: I have to conclude that you have a personal grudge against Ms. Lana Skye.

: The witness is a former detective.
: Her testimony is unmarred by personal bias.
: Well, who would have thought you would be my knight in shining armor, prosecutor? You who, together with
: the chief prosecutor, kicked me out two years ago!
: …
: Well, Ms. Starr… This is a fatal contradiction with your testimony…
: How do you explain this?

: Hmph!
: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Mess with me…
: and I’ll make you cough it ALL up!
: Ahem. Let’s look at the floor plans.

: However, if that’s true…

: …!
: I believe you see what I’m getting at.

: Order! Order!
: What is the meaning of this?
: It’s simple, Your Honor. She’s not coughing up lunch…
: she’s coughing up lies!!!
: Grrr!

: That’s quite a claim, Mr. Wright… perhaps you will allow me a question?
: Tell us exactly what lie this witness has told the court!
: (Here’s where the counter-attack begins! I can’t afford to be get this wrong!)

: She lied about what she saw! In other words,
: she didn’t see Ms. Skye using that emergency phone!
: It does seem hard to imagine how she could have!
: Very logical!
: …
: …
: (What’s the matter, Starr? Cat got your lunchbox?)
: Um, Mr. Wright… I hate to bother you while you’re celebrating your victory… But why would
: Ms. Starr lie like that?
: Huh?
: Why would she say that my sister had tried to use the phone, but failed?
: It doesn’t make any sense! Why lie about something so insignificant?
: Oh… (Dang, she’s right!)
: I mean, maybe she really did see her try to use the emergency phone.
: I see no room for doubt here.

: Ugh.
: (One… one more try!)
: Hmph. I see it in your eyes. You haven’t learned your lesson, have you?
: Tell us exactly what lie this witness has told the court!

: She lied about the order of events!
: Ms. Skye used that emergency phone BEFORE the murder!
: I-I see!
: I hadn’t thought of that!
: …
: …
: (That took the wind out of her sails!)
: Um, Mr. Wright… I hate to bother you while you’re celebrating your victory…
: But… why would anyone use the emergency phone before the murder?
: Huh?
: Just when you think he can’t sink any lower, he amazes us. I applaud you, Mr. Wright.

: Ugh.
: (One… one more try!)
: Hmph. I see it in your eyes. You haven’t learned your lesson, have you?
: Tell us exactly what lie this witness has told the court!

: She tried to use the emergency phone… but it was out of order.
: What is significant about this fact?
: Nothing. It would be pointless for her to lie about it!
: Pointless to lie… I see!
: The witness did actually see Ms. Skye using the emergency phone.
: In other words…

: A different location!?
: Now that’s a pointless lie if I ever heard one!

: Before you call my lie pointless…
: at least let me tell it!

: Let me ask a question to our clever wordsmith, Mr. Wright.
: Just where was the witness
: when she saw the crime!?

: (All the testimony we’ve heard until now points in one direction…)

: This is the only place where she could have been.
: The security guard room?
: Indeed, the security room in the underground parking lot is well positioned…

: Hmm… She would have been able to see the emergency phone from there.
: But why there? There are many other places where she could have seen the phone?

: Not in this case, Your Honor.

: I remember in your testimony, you said…
: You brought a lunch to your “boyfriend” in the security guard room, yes?

: Well, Ms. Starr?
: … How many years have I been getting the better of men…? To think that the tables could be turned…
: Today, a man has got the better of Angel Starr!

: Order! Order!
: Witness! What have you done!? You used to be a detective! You should know better!
: I’m not turning back. The guilty will be punished.
: And I’ll do what I must to make sure justice prevails.
: (The guilty… is she talking about Ms. Skye…?)
: Um, Mr. Wright? Doesn’t this strike you as odd? Why did Ms. Starr lie?
: It doesn’t make sense!
: Huh?
: She could have just said she saw the crime from the security guard station. It wouldn’t change anything!
: Exactly!

: That truth still stands!

: It “still stands”?
: I disagree, Mr. Edgeworth.
: Wh-what!?
: If a witness is found to be lying,
: they’re guilty of perjury. She knows this.
: She wouldn’t risk that without a good reason!

: So tell us what her reason was, Mr. Wright!
: …
: Huh? M-me?
: Who else!?
: Mr. Wright! Let’s review what we know!

: Why, the angle at which she saw the crime occur would change!
: The angle…?
: What do you mean!?
: Uh, um, well…
: The security guard station is on the second floor… and um…
: She would have sort of a more 3-D view of the crime.
: And this is important… why?
: Um…
: …
: …

: Mr. Wright! Let’s review what we know!

: It’s a difference in lighting!
: Lighting…?
: What does that mean!?
: Well, it means, uh…
: See, the security guard station is on the second level…
: So, uh, she would have seen the crime in better lighting conditions.
: And this is important… why?
: Um…
: …
: …

: Mr. Wright! Let’s review what we know!

: It changes the distance between her and the scene of the crime!

: I don’t see how that would change what she could see.

: What she saw is not in question here.
: What matters is the time it would take her to reach the scene of the crime!
: …!
: Ms. Starr! You witnessed the crime from the security guard station!
: Now, how long did it take you to go from there…
: to the scene of the crime, where you arrested Ms. Skye!?

: …
: Well, witness?
: You…
: Y-yes…?

: (The quality of my lunches has gone from low to inedible.)
: I was bringing a PB&J lunch with fresh boysenberry jam to my boyfriend.
: Hmm…
: Boysenberry for the boyfriend!
: He wasn’t in the station, so I waited.

: But… the door was locked. I couldn’t open it.

: That’s quite a detour.
: It probably took me at least five minutes to get to the scene of the crime.
: F-f-f-five minutes!?

: Hmm…
: This changes things considerably!
: But, it was that woman over there in the defendant’s chair who stabbed him!

: I swear it…
: I swear it on my finest plastic spork!
: You have a point. And the spork is a wonderful invention.

: Absolutely!
: (Uh oh…)
: Mr. Wright! You have to do something!

: (I think I need more evidence before I go sticking my spork in this mess…)
: Woo! Caviar!
: Ah… how it makes my eyes tingle!
: Mr. Wright!
: No evidence can win against the raw power of caviar! It’s a scientific fact! The only thing that’s left…
: Is your strong presence and deft powers of deduction!
: …!
: Let’s screw the lid back on those overpriced fish eggs!

Which leaves us where the right answer does.

: Five minutes between the witnessing of the murder and the arrest! Think about it!
: You could make pasta in that amount of time! If you like it al dente!

: A five minute “blank”…
: Isn’t that strange!?
: Strange…?
: If you were a criminal…
: What would you do with five minutes, Your Honor?
: Well, um…
: I guess I’d flee the scene.
: Hey! D-don’t get the wrong idea! I didn’t kill anyone…

: But you have the instincts of a killer! You would run!
: But this time was different!

: Well then.
: It seems we’ve come to the end of this testimony.
: She has a grudge against the defendant, and there is a blank in her testimony.
: …!
: Mr. Edgeworth, is the next witness ready to go?
: Unfortunately…
: I appear to have overestimated this witness on account of her professional history…
: We did it! We screwed that can shut, Mr. Wright!
(Th-that was too close!)

: I’m afraid that
: the Cough-up Queen has been dethroned.
: And with that, court is adjourned!

: (That’s the one she tried to foist off on me!)
: I prefer to not take the defense team’s lefotvers. Anything else to say?
: I… might be able to save you.
: I have decisive evidence.
: Wh-what was that!?
: (Is this another one of her trick lunchboxes!?)
: My apologies, but we have no further questions to ask of you, Ms. Starr.
: Ah…

: Whoo hoo! A triple-decker!

: Out of deference to the witness’s determination, I’ll allow one more testimony!
: Let’s hear about this decisive evidence.
: Like the Lunchland motto says, you won’t be disappointed!
: (What’s she going to pull out of her lunchbox this time!?)

: Wh-what!? There was blood found on that shoe!?

: Witness, what’s the meaning of this?

: Simple. As I’ve already said…
: I don’t trust you with evidence, Mr. Edgeworth! That’s why I took the liberty of investigating this myself.
: And… you had blood tests performed?
: Didn’t I mention?
: I have three boyfriends in forensics.

: In any case, Your Honor,
: I can’t accept this as evidence!

: What…?
: You should know the two rules of evidence law, Ms. Starr!
: Rule 1: no evidence shall be shown without the approval of the Police Department!

: I-is that right, Mr. Wright!?
: It seems so. Edgeworth sure is celebrating.
: Not so fast, Mr. Edgeworth.
: …!
: Don’t forget… I used to be a detective! As I mentioned previously…

: Even the general public can produce official evidence, Mr. Edgeworth.
: Nuh… Ungh!
: I-is that right, Mr. Wright!?
: It seems so. Edgeworth is looking pretty sullen.
: You could at least study some evidence law! Really!

: The prosecution’s complaints notwithstanding…
: It appears that this evidence satisfies the first rule of evidence law. Well…
: It seems you have yet another count against you, witness.
: Anything to ensure that the guilty are properly judged.

Examining it…

: It appears so. (Lana’s right hand was bandaged when I saw her in jail. She must have cut herself at the time of the crime…)
: Poor sis…

: On the sole of the shoe? It’s got to be the victim’s. He must have stepped in a puddle of his own blood.
: All this blood… It’s horrible!
: (Hmm… This blood might be an important clue…)

Next time: Yeah, even more testimony.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 5

Back to the trial.

: Very well, Mr. Wright, you may cross-examine the witness!

: Why did you lie about those five minutes?
: I guess you could say, I just wanted people to look at the results.
: The… results?
: How many times do I have to say this?
: I saw the chief prosecutor stab the victim before my very own eyes! Compared to that…
: A five minute “blank” means nothing!
: Then why didn’t you just tell the truth?
: Don’t make me laugh! We’re dealing with the most untrustworthy of the vile lot known as prosecutors! Falsified evidence, arranged testimonies, erasing and manipulating evidence…
: When you fight monsters, you need to use every trick in the book!
: (This when the suspect is admitting she did it?)

: False testimony is the most despicable crime of all, Ms. Starr.
: Let’s just get this over with.

: And, you found this shoe at the scene of the crime?
: I detained the chief prosecutor, and notified the Police Department… I wanted to make myself useful while I was waiting for the police to arrive.
: So, like an ill-trained pooch, you snuck off with a shoe!
: I was afraid someone would erase the chief prosecutor’s crime.

: See this fashionable basket I have here…?
: It carries more than lunchboxes, gentlemen!
: (I’m happy for you and your lunchbox bag, really.)
: In any case, you removed valuable evidence from the scene of the crime.
: Now tell us what you did next.

: So, you brought it to the forensics department?
: If you’re going to submit something as evidence in court, you need it approved. To do that, evidence must be analyzed…
: by a forensics expert.
: (And she got away with her little coup because she used to be a detective…)

: Makes sense. After all, a man was stabbed here.

: As I said, there were two types of blood found on the shoe.

: You can’t say for sure the blood belonged to the victim with a blood test!
: You claim to know something about blood tests, Rookie?
: Huh…
: Well, speak up!
: Uh, well… Blood comes in four types… A, B, O, and AB… However!
: You can’t tell from a blood test whether a murder was performed… in cold blood!
: …
: …
: … That’s just a figure of speech, Mr. Wright.
: Actually, if you combine all the various blood tests, there are millions of types! It’s practically impossible to narrow a blood sample down to one person!
: Or so I hear.
: M-millions of types?

: But they said there’s very little doubt it could be anyone’s but Ms. Lana Skye’s.
: Hmm…
: So the suspect’s blood was found on the victim’s shoe…
: That ties her directly to the death of Detective Goodman!
: (I was afraid he was going to say that…)

: (I can’t let this evidence go through without a fight!)

: …!
: Some like it hot, Mr. Wright. Some, like your client. She’s in enough hot water to make a whole batch of soup.

: A problem…?

: (No… there’s nothing there. And if I just stab blindly at it, I’ll hurt my case.)
: C’mon, Mr. Wright, I know you can find something!
: Some kind of off-the-cuff contradiction!
: I’m trying to avoid saying things off-the-cuff today.

And loop.

: (That’s pretty sly, hiding evidence like that!)
: There’s nothing sly about a lawyer using the law as a weapon!
: In any case, science is always on our side!
: Don’t forget!
: Scientific investivation is the wave of the future!
: (Hmm… maybe I should “investigate” this evidence a little more closely…)

Or…

: If I’m not imagining things…

: That gleam in your eyes…
: You’re still young, Rookie.

: Let’s hear what Mr. Wright has to say!
: What is contradictory about the victim’s shoe?

: Don’t mess with me, Rookie…

: Hmm… Indeed, there is quite a bit of blood on the bottom of the shoe.
: It makes sense. The victim was stabbed with a knife!

: The problem lies…
: in the footprint.
: The… footprint?

: Then… isn’t it strange?

: Why weren’t any bloody footprints found by the scene of the crime!?
: Ah hah!

: If there were bloody prints they would have been found.

: Order! Order! Order!
: Well, witness!?
: What!? Huh? I, uh…
: Great going, Mr. Wright!
: But… It’s true that the lack of a footprint is a contradiction…
: But then we have to ask why there wasn’t a footprint!
: Oh!
: That’s true! There has to be a reason why there wasn’t a footprint!
: Think, Mr. Wright, think!
: … Hey, I don’t know why it’s not there. I’m just good at finding contradictions.
: What!?

: I see…
: Now I get it!
: (Get what!?)
: Our witness is more devious than I gave her credit for!
: We were hoodwinked to the very end!

: Wh-what are you talking about?
: Think back to when she told us about apprehending the suspect…

: She knocked my hands aside, kiced over an oil drum… Oh, she’s beautiful, but deadly! A predator, this one! A leopard woman! Rowr!

: (No kidding!)
: Now, witness. Allow me to ask a very simple question. This “oil drum”…
: was it empty?
: …
: Oh, that, hmm? I’m not sure I like your attitude, Mr. Edgeworth.
: Though apparently you’re not the slowest conveyor belt in the lunchbox factory.
: Witness! W-well?
: Was the oil drum empty…?
: The oil drum kicked over by the chief prosecutor…
: was brimming with water.
: W-water? (What does that mean?)
: Still don’t get it, Mr. Wright? Do you want to know the reason she knocked it over?
: The REAL reason?
: Aaaa haaaaah! You don’t mean…!
: Yes, the suspect knocked over that oil drum for one reason and one reason alone!

: That ties things up quite nicely!

: Then, after the deed was done, she knocked over the oil drum to erase the telltale signs!
: Why, that’s a prosecutor’s specialty…
: erasing evidence!
: (That reminds me… Ms. Skye’s right hand was hurt…)

: Well…
: I see no reason to prolong this trial.
: M-Mr. Wright! Do something! Please!
: W-what!? What can I do? Your sister has confessed to the crime, and she tried to conceal it!
: B-but…

: Enough.
: There is no need for further debate.
: The verdict, Your Honor!
: Very well…
: But Angel Starr is on the prosecution’s side! She could have been lying about the water!

: This court finds the defendant, Ms. Lana Skye…

: Huh…? M-me?
: Did you say that I, Angel Starr…
: was on the prosecution’s side?
: W-well, yeah, you are! You’re saying my sister hid evidence by erasing the bloody footprints!
: Well.

: I thought you’d had your fill, but here you are, demanding a second helping!

: W-wait… Witness, don’t tell me
: you have something else?

: You’ve reached your verdict, Your Honor!
: Any further comments will be held in contempt of court!
: Your threats don’t scare the Cough-up Queen!

: that the white shoe didn’t belong to the victim!
: Hmm…
: I see no room for error in this evidence.

: Hey! It’s clearly wet!

: Erasing the last trace of doubt from the court’s mind.
: Immediately after the murder, the crime scene was washed with water!
: I-I’m sorry, Mr. Wright. I guess I…
: I couldn’t help after all.
: (It’s not your fault… I knew I couldn’t win this case from the beginning.)
: (And… it seems this is what your sister wanted anyway!)

: (I’m sorry, Mia…) …

Don’t be so quick to throw in the towel…

Don’t give up… Not until the bitter end.
: (This is the last piece of evidence…)

: Very well! This time I’d like to declare a verdict for good!

: What is it with you people!? Can’t I hand down my verdicts in peace anymore!?
: Whatever it is, can it wait?
: N-no it can’t. Then it will be too late!

: So, Wright…
: Are you saying there’s a problem with this latest piece of evidence?
: Yeah! (I’ll think later!)
: Yeah, there’s a problem! (Right or wrong, I’ve got to go ahead with this!)

: I suppose since we’ve come this far, we should give every claim a fair shake.
: Very well, Mr. Wright.

: The problem in this photograph… is here!

: There’s something poking out of the car’s muffler!
: Wait just a moment, Mr. Edgeworth!
: Your Honor?
: You just said
: “muffler”…

: …
: A muffler is also a part on a car or motorcycle, Your Honor.
: Just think of it as… part of the exhaust system. A pipe…
: I see! And… I see!

: Hmph! So what if there is something sticking out of the muffler! What does that have to do with this case?

: Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

: Sorry, Ms. Starr… But it’s not going to be that easy! In fact, you’ve already told us why this is important to the case…
: You said as much in your testimony!!!

: Wh-what!?

: Let’s hear what Mr. Wright has on his mind!

: Ms. Starr!
: Recall your testimony for the court…

: That’s what had me confused in my earlier testimony!

: Could it be that the “muffler” you heard mentioned…

: If so!

: Well… It seems we will have to suspend the proceedings.
: Sus… Suspend!?
: I find myself wondering
: about that piece of cloth. If we leave any question unanswered here we do a disservice to the law!
: Have the car at the crime scene inspected at once, and bring me that cloth! The verdict will wait until after we’ve seen all the evidence.
: Agreed…?
: …
: I suppose so.
: (Whew… that was close. But… we made it…)
: (at least for now!)

: The court will adjourn for a thirty minute recess!
: It’s lunchtime after all!
: (He’s still hungry!?)

Next time: Recess.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 6

In every other case, a chapter break has meant going to the next cycle of Investigation or Trial. Not so this time! Instead, we’re going back into the trial once we finish the recess.

: Um… Mr. Wright?
: Huh? What?
: Are trials… always like this with you?
: Like you’re swimming up from the bottom of a lake, about to reach the surface…
: But no matter how hard you paddle you never seem to get there…
: Pretty much. Except today we’re swimming in quicksand. So what happened to your sister, anyway?
: Apparently she got called off to the judge’s chambers.
: Hmm… Probably something to do with that piece of cloth.
: So! This is where we turn this trial around, right?
: Our only weapon, a tiny, insignificant piece of cloth!
: I’m the one who’s starting to feel tiny and insignificant to tell the truth.

: That’s what they told me when I was a young’un, at least.
: Officer Marshall!
: Thought I’d come take a look-see at how the trial’s going. Looks like I’m late. They’ve got the place locked down tighter than a fort in enemy territory!
: What is going on over there, anyway? All the police I’ve seen these last two days have been really on edge.
: Don’t you got enough on your plate without worrying about other people, compadre?
: You could be worrying about the chief prosecutor’s taste in mufflers, for example.
: Um… Officer Marshall?
: The whole “muffler” thing didn’t have anything to do with scarves…
: She wasn’t even wearing a scarf!

: You don’t say?
: Now don’t that just beat all.
: …?
: I’ve seen the red breeze blow at her slender neck many a time…

: What!?
: At the awards ceremony that afternoon. Edgeworth’s seen it too, I’d reckon.
: (What does that mean!?)

: So, Ms. Starr
: wasn’t mistaken…
: Well, it’s about time.
: Remember, pardner, sometimes you gotta grab the bull by the horns…

: (Ugh… I have a bad feeling about this.)
: So… what are we swimming in now, Mr. Wright?
: If it’s steak sauce, I can hook you up with some fine ribs! Ooh-wee!

: I’d… like to… resume…?
: (What’s up? The judge keeps looking over at the prosecution…)

: Is something wrong, Mr. Edgeworth?
: Your face is blue, your lips are purple, you’re sweating bullets… That furrowed brow, those grinding teeth, those water eyes… What’s more, your eyes are unfocused, you’re doubled over, your back is bent…

: It… can’t… be!!
: This… can’t… happen!
: I wonder what happened to Mr. Edgeworth?

: Well then, I believe it is time we continued on with this trial.
: During our recess I had requested that the prosecution conduct an investigation…
: Th-this is unacceptable!

: Hmm…
: It seems our prosecutor is quite beside himself.
: Ah, er, excuse me. Knock knock?
: …?
: Who’s there?

: (What’s with this guy?)

: Hey! The temperature rose 5.7 degrees when that man came in!
: (Who on earth is he…?)

: Ah, it’s you…

: Sorry I’m late, Udgey! The roads were packed. It’s just me!

: Ah! Hello, hello.
: No, I’ve been so busy…
: Busy! Busy-smizzy, Udgey, my boy! You have to make time to relax!
: Y-yes, indeed.
: Udgey… seems to be his nickname for the judge…?
: I’m afraid you’re right. Very afraid.
: Um… sorry, but… who are you?
: Ah hah! So you’re Wrighto! The attorney! I’ve heard good things about you, son!
: Eh? Uh, th-thanks…?

: You know, we should all go swimming together sometime! Jolly!
: Little…
: Little Worthy…?
: Mr. Wright!

: Chuh…?
: Chief of Police…!?
: He’s the top ranking police officer in the entire district!

Just imagine dead silence pretty much every time this happens.

: Name’s Gant, Damon Gant. Pleased to meet you, everyone!

: So, uh, to what do we owe this honor today?
: It’s been over… two years since you last came to this courtroom, hasn’t it?

: Hey! Th-that’s…!
: My sister’s muffler!
: (So Ms. Starr wasn’t just seeing things!)

: On little Worthy’s car, no less!

: Wh-what’s this!?
: It’s what you’d call a switchblade knife.
: Quite perplexing, this.

: Chief!
: What kind of outfit are you running!?
: M-Mr. Edgeworth!
: How could they miss such a vital piece of evidence!?
: If your investigators are this lax, how do you expect us to do our job?
: N-now wait a minute, Worthy!

: I’ve no desire to hear your excuses!
: I’m telling you to wait!
: Or didn’t you hear me?

: …!

: There’s no mistaking that signature…
: Miles Edgeworth?
: Th-that’s no fair!
: The day of the crime, I-I had…
: Your head in the clouds because you got that award!
: I know how you feel…
: But you’re the person in charge.
: I’ll expect a written apology.
: What? Are you serious!?
: Don’t be too upset, we’ll find a way to clean up this mess… that you made.
: …!
: This is the first time I’ve seen Mr. Edgeworth at a loss for words…

: This kind of major blunder is unlike you Mr. Edgeworth.
: Gah…!
: The court accepts this new evidence.
: But, I’d like to ask the defense a favor first.
: Y-yes?
: Just to be sure…

: The b-blade, Your Honor?
: Well, I don’t see why not…
: Could you open it up for me, I wonder?
: Yes, well.
: I think all you have to do is push that switch, and…

: If I cut my finger Mr. Wright, I wouldn’t be able to pound my gavel anymore.
: (Yeah. But if I cut my finger, I wouldn’t be able to point it at people anymore…)
: Come on! Just hurry up and open it!

The game forces us into examining the knife.

: It seems to say “SL-9 2”…
: What does that mean?
: Well… (I’ve heard something similar… “DL-6” of “DL-6 Incident” fame…)
: But… it’s strange.
: Huh? What is?
: I’m not certain… But I get the feeling I’ve seen this somewhere before! Letters like this… or letters that looked a lot like this… somehow.

: I’m the one who’s scared!
: Look at this knife blade… the tip is broken off.
: (And this dark red stain… blood?)

And back to the trial.

: This does not excuse the actions of the Police Department!
: I would like to hear an explanation from the Chief of Police himself!

: I’m terribly sorry, but could I ask you to testify for us?

: There…
: There was a murder at the Police Department!? A detective!?

: That’s hush-hush information, Udgey! We haven’t exactly announced it yet.

: W-wait a second!
: You said “5:15”…

: Order! Order! Order!
: Anyway, we at the Department were all a-flustered, as you might well assume. We’re in the middle of a top-top-secret investigation.
: Don’t tell anyone, okay?
: I think we understand the Police Department’s situation…
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: (Two detectives killed at the same time in two different places…)
: The chances of that are really slim. Scientifically speaking, of course.
: I’d… like to exercise
: my right to cross-examine the witness.

: Very well… however!
: Keep your questions focused on the case at hand!

Next time: Cross-examination.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 7

: Excuse me… “special”?
: Mmhmm. Hard to come by this particular knife anywhere else.

: Now why was there another knife at the scene of the crime?
: That’s quite a mystery!
: And like a mystery, it’s wrapped in something… a muffler!

: I think that makes it connected to the case, don’t you!?
: See, there’s a lot of things that go on at the Department I can’t explain…
: It’s… delicate, okay? Sorry, Wrighto!

: Let’s examine that knife while we can, Wrighto!
: (Hmmm… evidence that links this knife to Detective Goodman…)
: (I think perhaps the pieces are falling into place…)
: (I should try presenting the piece of evidence that’s had me stumped all this time!)
: So, how were things down at the Department…?

: Something didn’t happen at the Police Department too, did it…?
: You got a good look in your eyes, there, Wrighto my boy. Sharp! Hungry!
: Chief… did something happen?
: And why haven’t I heard?
: Why haven’t you heard?
: Or why didn’t you ask?
: …!
: No matter, I understand. You were busy, what with Lana’s case and all.

: Well, what happened!?
: What happened at the Police Department that day?

: On the same day that a detective was killed in the Prosecutor’s parking lot…
: Another detective… was killed at the Police Department!?
: That’s a fact. Surprising, isn’t it, Udgey?
: I’m at a loss for words.
: And the perpetrator? Do you have a suspect?
: Well, there was a suspect.
: Just arrested 'em, in fact.
: (Just arrested! That was quick…)
: But… there’s still a lot of unanswered questions.
: Maybe you could help, Wright!
: I suppose I could help… if you help me by giving me data on your case?

: So, tell me…
: where was the victim found?
: …
: Well, I can’t speak on where the corpse was found.
: But I can say the crime took place in the evidence room at the Police Department.
: (The evidence room!?)
: You wouldn’t know about the evidence room, would you, Wrighto?
: I can’t say I’ve heard of it.
: (I guess I should ask again once I learn a bit more about this “evidence room.”)
: There’s something stranger about this then the place where the body was found!

: Well, how was the detective killed?
: How was he killed? Now that’s the interesting part!
: It was what we in the force call a “stabbing.” With a knife!
: A kn-knife…?
: That’s exactly the same as Detective Goodman!
: That’s the spirit! We’re cooking now!
: But you know…
: That’s not the only thing that was exactly the same…
: Wh-what do you mean!?
: There were more similarities between the two cases than the cause of death!
: (IT seems like I’m going to have to press this a bit harder…)

: So… when did the murder at the Police Department occur?
: Now that’s a sharp question, Wrighto! Very sharp!
: Well, my boy… You’re gonna love this!

And they all converge on the next bit.

: Five… 5:15…!?
: B-but that’s…
: That’s when Detective Goodman was killed in the Prosecutor’s Office!
: What!?
: Funny, isn’t it? A murder at the Prosecutor’s place, and a murder at our place at the very same time!
: What are the chances!

: i[/i]
: This is just my gut feeling…
: but I’d say there’s a 0.001% chance of that happening!

: Chief Gant, please tell us more about the incident!

: How can you say there’s no connection!?
: How? Because I’m the Chief of Police!
: I can’t just say anything I please, Wrighto. You understand!

: Try to understand, Wrighto.
: Well, if you can prove there is a connection, more power to you.
: Maybe there is something that ties the two murders together?
: (Whatever it is, I’d better find it and get to the bottom of this! Two detectives were killed at 5:15… One at the Prosecutor’s Office…)
: (And one at the Police Department… that can’t be a coincidence!)

: (I’d better check this knife out…)

And loop. You probably know the answer.

: Wait a second!
: Ah, at last! An honest to goodness “objection”!

: What do you mean!?
: Ah hah! An honest-to-goodness what do you mean from the judge! This is great!
: Look at the tag on this knife!
: It reads “SL-9 2”…
: And this is important… why?

: 6 minus 7S… 12/2…?

: Your Honor…
: It’s upside-down.
: Upside…?

: When he wrote this note, he was holding the paper upside down!

: Order! Order!
: Well, Chief?
: …
: Ah well. I guess the cat’s out of the bag…
: You win, Wrighto!
: I… win?
: Ah… (What game is this guy playing!?)

: Yes, but on the day of the murder.
: It was evidence, you say.
: Was it, in fact, a murder weapon?
: Nice! Nice! Nice! Good show, little Worthy! It was a murder weapon, as it happens.
: It was evidence from a case long-since solved…
: (So this knife was stolen on the day of the murder…)

: Hard to think there isn’t a connection there!

And now that we know that, we can go back to…

: So, tell me…
: where was the victim found?
: …
: Well, I can’t speak on where the corpse was found.
: But I can say the crime took place in the evidence room at the Police Department.
: (The evidence room!? W-wait a second…)

: (I have heard of that!)
: The evidence room…
: Didn’t he mention that in his testimony just now?

: (There’s the connection between the two cases!)
: You seem happy, Mr. Wright!
: Happy? We just got handed our ticket to go to town on this case!
: (With the link between the two cases established, we finally have some leverage.)
: (Now we can get Gant to testify about the details!)

: Chief… The defense’s positing is simply this:
: The connection between these two cases has already been proven!
: Heh, you don’t say?
: Well, out with it Wrighto! What’s your connection?
: Yes, out with it, Mr. Wright.

: The connection is a place, mentioned in the testimony we just heard.

: from the Police Department’s evidence room.

: And we also know that the detective murdered at the Police Department…
: was killed in that very same evidence room!

: Indeed…
: There do seem to be too many connections for it to be a coincidence.

: You two make a good pair. It took my men two days to find out
: what you deduced right here.

: Chief!
: I request that you release your information on the victim at the Police Department!
: See, that’s the tricky part.
: It hasn’t been announced yet, and all…
: Can we get the information…
: unofficially?

: Hmmmmm…
: Sure! Why not? It’s unofficial, after all.
: (What? Really!?)
: Who would have guessed?

Next time: Truth…???

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Trial (Day 2) - Part 8

: If you’re going to tell us a little, why not tell us everything?
: Ah, well, case information is sticky stuff. You have to do everything properly.

: Okay…
: how about the gender of the victim!
: You want to know that!? Um… Hmm… Okay, a hint.
: Let’s see… first hint! The gender that’s NOT female…!
: Ah hah!
: He was a guy!
: What did I tell you! The boy’s sharp!
: Stop goofing around, Mr. Wright! This is serious business!
: S-sorry, Your Honor.
: (Hey, tell that to the Chief of Police!)

: Okay, well…
: What division was the victim stationed in?
: Oh? You want to know that, do you? Do you? Ah hah…
: Criminal Affairs, Division 1.
: The detectives responsible for homicide cases.
: (Homicide… that would be the same division as Detective Gumshoe!)

: It’s almost like a serial killer was after homicide detectives…
: Except this serial killing happened simultaneously, scientifically speaking.
: Well, I sure hope Detective Gumshoe isn’t next on the list…

: Okay… How about you tell me
: the victim’s ID number?
: Hmm? Sure, why not. It’s not like you’ll be able to tell who it is from that!
: Of course not.
: You won’t tell me their name, after all.
: We keep a tight lid on ID numbers, so don’t go getting your hopes up.
: The number is…
: 5842189.
: Well! That’s quite…
: long!
: And we have to remember these! It drives me nuts!
: 8… 2…
: I can’t do it.
: (You didn’t even get the first number right!)

: Well, Mr. Wright? Does this tell you anything?

: Absolutely nothing, Your Honor.
: Ah… well, yes.
: First of all, it was too long! I’ve forgotten it already!
: S-sorry!
: I mean, why are you getting mad at me!? I didn’t come up with those numbers…
: Hmm… 5842189…

: Actually, it does, Your Honor.
: It does…!
: I think!
: Meaning?

: Well, let’s hear what the defense hast to say.
: You say the ID number of the detective who was murdered at the Police Department…

: Witness! …
: …
: …
: …
: What is it, Mr. Wright!?

: No, I… it’s just,
: I got confused…
: And this is news?
: Huh?
: Just come out with both guns blazing…
: like you always do.

: (Two places, two detectives murdered… at one time.)

: Oh hoh!
: Is it yours?
: N-no, Your Honor. I’m a defense attorney… remember?

: Shame on you, Wrighto! Personnel IDs are top secret!
: Detective Goodman’s ID number is…
: “5842189.”
: …
: …
: …
: And…?
: This means… what, exactly?
: Huh?
: Wait…
: That ID number we heard from the Chief earlier…
: That started with “82…”
: Hmm. I’ve forgotten.
: (You even got the first number wrong!)
: The number the Chief of Police gave us was…
: 5842189.

: W-wait a second, Wright! What does this…?

: Mean? That’s what I want to know!
: The two ID numbers are identical!
: In other words… The detective killed in the Police Department’s evidence room was Bruce Goodman!

: What does our witness think about that!?
: …
: Oh! Ho ho ho, sharp as a tack, Wrighto! Sharp as a tack!
: B-but wait! Detective Goodman is OUR victim!

: Yet, a Detective Bruce Goodman was also killed at the Police Department…

: Th-that’s impossible!
: So, what we’re saying is…
: The same person was killed at the same time!?

: Order! Order! Order!
: Chief! What does this mean!?

: No… what I want to know is…
: why didn’t I hear about this!? Yes, it’s top-secret, fine! But I’m the prosecutor in charge of the case!!!
: Now, just wait a second, Worthy. No need to get all flustered.

: Your Honor!
: The Police Department has made a grave error in this case…
: Wait.

: Or didn’t you hear me?
: …!
: The oversight… the grave error…? Mr. Edgeworth…

: They’re yours.

: How… how dare…
: We informed you yesterday.
: I believe it was our Officer Meekins who brought you the news?
: O-officer… Meekins?
: Mr. Wright!
: Where have we heard that name before?
: Wait… Ah hah!

: I’m here, sir, at the request of the chief, sir! I’ve got your report, sir!

: According to Meekins, you didn’t accept the report?
: Hard to believe.
: B-but your officer, he told me!
: He said that report had nothing to do with the Lana Skye incident!

: Mr. Edgeworth. The victim’s name is written write on top of the report.

Whoops, nice typo, game.

: Wh-why didn’t your officer tell me!?

: He did seem… challenged.
: In any case, this is a serious error, a gross negligence of duty on your part, Worthy.

: B-But, sir!!!

: Then, I…

: No such luck this time, Worthy… or should I say, un-Worthy?

: What!?
: Now what was the second rule of evidence law, hmm?
: Well, Mr. Wright?
: Huh? Oh, well, it’s, uh…
: Rule 2: New evidence may only be submitted if it concerns the case on trial.
: And how is this relevant!?
: Normally, you submit a list of evidence to be used in court before the trial.

: So…
: What does this mean?
: I couldn’t submit this evidence until a connection was proven in court.
: …!!
: The connection was just proven by Wrighto over here.
: Good job, Wrighto, my boy!
: Huh? Uh… I…
: I was just doing my job.

: No…

: It seems…
: we have come to the end of this trial.
: You are becoming a thorn in my side, Worthy… There’ve been rumors…
: After all, you were in the defendant’s chair just last year…!
: …!
: I apologize for this terrible lack of due diligence on my part…
: M-Mr. Edgeworth!
: Please… Just give me one day. I’ll get to the bottom of what happened…
: If it’s the last thing I do!
: You’d better get results this time. Really.
: I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!
: Poor Mr. Edgeworth…

: I don’t think there’s ever been an error this serious in the history of this court.
: We will grant one further day as the prosecution has requested.
: Will this be sufficient, Mr. Edgeworth.

This case has more typos and grammar issues than any other in this game, really.

: Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.
: Whatever your punishment for this is, for your sake I hope it’s not… decisive.

: Very well! Court is adjourned!

Next time: The case only gets weirder from here.htah

[morsrattus]

(some more filler here)

[morsrattus]

(we’re catching up)

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 2) - Part 1

: Uh… um, Mr. Wright! So…
: What’s going on with the case, anyway!?
: I… I’m a little confused.
: Huh!? W-well, um… let’s see. (What is going on?)

: He died in the Prosecutor’s parking lot… and the Police Department’s evidence room.
: What’s this “and the evidence room” part!?
: The Prosecutor’s Office and the Police Department are 30 minutes apart by car.
: … Well… that’s what we’re going to find out. (Or try to, at least…)
: …
: Alright! Let’s do it!
: (Glad she’s in good spirits, but I’m not sure she’s going to be much help with this…)
: Don’t be so sure, Mr. Wright.
: Huh?
: Would you mind coming with me?
: I’ll prove that these thick-rimmed glasses of mine aren’t just for show!
: Let’s go! Science awaits us!

And we are immediately jumped to…

: You know, I really don’t think we should worry about the Police Department murder!

: (Of course it was our victim who was killed at the Department…)
: And my sister would never do such a thing! I know it…

Sudden flashback!

: The oil drum kicked over by the Chief Prosecutor…
: was brimming with water!

: (Even though she says they don’t get along, Ema really likes her sister…)
: That’s not it at all!
: It’s just…
: We’re both professionals at what we do… and I trust her!
: (Big words for a high school student.) Well, whether there was blood stains or not… The water in that oil drum washed it all away.
: He he heh. Ignore the strength of my science at your own peril, Mr. Wright!
: Huh? What’s that grin for?

: L-luminol?
: Blood is sticky stuff, you know. You can’t just wash it away with a little water.
: Even if you can’t see it, it’s still there…
: But wouldn’t the police have already done those tests?
: Never trust anyone’s eyes but your own, Mr. Wright!
: Just give it a try!
: M-me? Why do I have to do it!?
: I’m a minor! I can’t even drink yet!
: (We’re testing blood stains with this stuff, not drinking it…)
: Here, look, I’ll lend you these glasses.
: Huh? You had an extra pair of those things?

Luminol testing takes place on the bottom screen, like examining.

: To test for a blood reaction, just spray the luminol on it.

: Touch the screen to spray it on.
: Okay! Let’s find us some bloodstains!

Once a bloodstain has been identified this way, you have to tap it.

: So, this is a bloodstain?
: Uhhhh… It’s so… ugh!
: Ema, you’re shaking.
: It’s just… this is my first time seeing real blood!
: (Scientific investigation in action…)
: O-okay, well, we definitely know this is a bloodstain.
: But, doesn’t something strike you as odd? Scientifically speaking, of course?
: (What’s odd about this… scientificallly?)

: Why, the blood stain’s location is odd! Elementary!

: I mean, I would think that if there was a fight, you’d expect some bloodstains here.
: … I suppose you might think that.
: C’mon, Mr. Wright! We’re all counting on you!
: (There is something odd about this bloodstain… But if it’s not the location of the blood, then maybe…) Maybe it’s the amount of blood that’s odd?

Or…

: The perpetrator and Detective Goodman fought here, right? Don’t you think there’d be a little more blood?

Convergence.

: I mean…

: (It’s strange! If they fought here, there’d have to be more bloodstains than this.)
: Uh, h-hey, Mr. Wright!

: See… I’m pretty handy to have around, right?

: I saved up my allowance to buy this!

The Luminol is added to our evidence list. I forget to actually look at it for a bit, though.

: We can’t be sure that the police will reveal all their evidence in court.
: Sometimes they fail to mention evidence that doesn’t fit with their view of the case.
: And we’ll drag that “hidden evidence” out into the light of day!
: Yeah!
: It feels like we’re really investigating a crime now, doesn’t it?
: (This luminol stuff is going to come in handy.)
: Hah!

: Ms. Starr!

: You only trust your own eyes, hm?
: Not bad, you two…

: Sorry, it’s just, that kind of lead in doesn’t really get my mouth watering.

And now we can look around or talk to Angel.

: So that’s where Ms. Starr saw the incident from.
: You can probably see quite a lot from up there. i[/i]

: Where’s the security guard, anyway?
: Well, this is just something I heard…
: But apparently he went out to buy coffee for Ms. Starr.
: (That woman is a force to be reckoned with…)

: So, this is the famous oil drum.
: Well, no time like the present! I’ll try to kick it over myself!
: Hii-yah!
: …
: Th-that’s okay. Don’t cry. (That Lana Skye must be a powerful woman…)

So let’s talk to Angel now.

: You certainly put me in a tight spot today.
: My apologies Ms. Starr, but…
: No, no, it’s okay. It was my fault.
: Oh, we know.
: I witnessed everything from that security room right there. But…I was afraid that wouldn’t sound convincing enough, you see…
: I was wrong to think that. I’m sorry.
: Sorry? You lied on the witness stand! That’s unforgivable!
: …

: Little girl, don’t forget what’s important here. Even if the place I witnessed the events from was different, I still saw what I saw.

: Ah…
: I swear it on my honor as a detective!
: She stabbed Goodman!
: …!

: So… you were a detective, weren’t you, Ms. Starr?
: Yes… It was a long time ago.
: Well, two years ago. No matter how hardened the criminal, when they faced me…

: They coughed it up.
: Coughed it… up?
: They confessed.
: They babbled like babies.

: I wouldn’t doubt it.
: Every day, I dragged the dirt out of the mouths of suspect after suspect…
: And before long, they called me…

: The Cough-up Queen!
: Oh, and here I thought someone had gotten food poisoning from your lunches.
: And… you were “let go”? Er… fired?

: And if these prim and proper prosecutors hadn’t let me go, I’d still be one today.

: Ess… el…? (Wait! She doesn’t mean…!)

If we present her photo…

: But… even I get flustered sometimes.
: So, you went straight to the scene of the crime?
: And climbed the chain link fence in an effort to stop the murder?

: In other words… five minutes after the crime?
: Those five minutes are the whole problem…
: The hole in my testimony, as it were.
: The five minutes weren’t the problem, Ms. Starr, you lying was the problem!
: Listen, little girl.
: I’ve had my testimony “disregarded” before… And I wasn’t going to have it disregarded again! Just like that time…
: (That time…?)

If we present either the SL-9 note or the SL-9 knife…

: Um… What do you think about this?

: Goodman…
: Goodman was the head detective on that case, you know.
: Really?
: That knife was evidence from that case… the murder weapon. It was due for transferal the very day that Goodman was killed.

: As I suspected… SL-9 isn’t over! Not yet!
: Do you think you could tell us more about the SL-9 Incident?

: That’s when I learned the truth.
: We’re nothing to them. Disposable.
: Disposable?
: Two years ago… it was the biggest case I’d ever handled.

: So… they didn’t solve it?
: On the contrary. It was solved quite cleanly. The criminal was caught and executed.
: i[/i]
: Yes, the criminal got what was coming to him. It doesn’t get any cleaner than that. The only problem was…
: they never did find decisive evidence. Not even a little.
: What!? But the criminal was executed, right?
: Evidence… of a sort. Made up evidence.
: Wh-what?
: You mean they executed someone with fabricated evidence!?
: …
: The best part came several months after the trial. Every detective involved with the case was dealt with.
: Some were demoted to patrolmen, others found themselves out of a job…
: And… you were one of those?
: Myself, and one other person you know well.
: (Wait, could it be…?)

: Exactly. Officer Jake Marshall. He’s on security detail in the Police Department, isn’t he?

: As professional detectives, we investigated that case from every angle.

: And then… it was over. And he was demoted.
: However…
: He hasn’t forgotten. And neither have I!
: You haven’t forgotten SL-9?
: There was another side to that case, a hidden side. That’s what we’re after now.
: And no one up in their fancy offices can stop us.
: Wait! Th-those lunches you sell…
: There is only one reason I come to sell lunches in this accursed office.
: I come here to meet old friends… boyfriends that can help me investigate.
: (Ms. Starr’s old boyfriends… How many does she have, anyway? Just when the detectives on the case have disappeared, we find new evidence…)
: There has to be a connection!
: So, Rookie…
: Wh-what!
: It seems like you’re serious about investigating this case…
: Yes.

: I know a certain guy who might help you if you tempt him with this treat…

And it goes into the inventory.

: I can almost hear the sound of steak frying on the grill!
: No doubt it’s all cold and tough by now.
: No, I’m sure it’s delicious!
: Ms. Starr poured her heart into making this!
: So long as she didn’t put any other organs in there…

: She must mean “beef.” She probably just wrote it generically.
: Uh… yeah. Let’s hope so.
: Of course, as a scientist I have to check what additives she used.
: Go to town.
: Huh? It says here… “Hours of sweat and labor.”
: So that’s why the sauce is so salty…

Anyway…

: Um, Ms. Starr…?
: Officer Marshall… is he your… uh, are you his…?
: Are you g-g-g-going out!?
: Why do you want to know?
: I was just wondering what happened to him?
: A long time ago, when he was helping my sister do cases, he was so nice. He got along so well with my sister, it made me jealous. And… he was nice to me too, back then.
: (This would be when Officer Marshall was a detective.)
: But now…
: now he’s so cold!
: …
: Jake and I are merely cooperating on this investigation. We’re putting the past to rest, as it were.
: Nothing more than that.
: I… I see.
: Thank you.
: (Officer Jake Marshall… Hmm…)

Next time: Getting out of this damn parking lot.

[morsrattus]

Case 5 - Rise From the Ashes
Investigation (Day 2) - Part 2

We begin by heading for the police station.

: It’s even busier here today than it was yesterday.
: The detectives are running around so fast they’re blurring.
: (I suppose it makes sense-- a detective did get killed in their own department.)
: So… the evidence room. The scene of the crime!
: According to the pamphlet we got at the front desk…
: Here it is!
: (She’s like a kid at an amusement park.)
: Ooh, a real crime scene! Let’s go take a look!

But first…

You may have remembered the evidence being kept in a room off of Criminal Affairs last time. That is, apparently, a different evidence room, because it has nothing to do with what we’re looking for at all.

: Wow, everyone looks deadly serious here…
: Well, there was a vicious murder of a detective in this department, after all.

: Ugh… It makes my head hurt.
: Well, first things first. I want to check out the crime scene here.
: Yes, you sound “dead”-set on investigating!
: But don’t mess up, or we could wind up… dead!
: I doubt anyone wants more mysteries or dead bodies around here right now. (But… it doesn’t look like anyone’s going to help us much, either.)

So, instead, we should check out that security guard office.

: What’s with the decor in this place? It’s very… eccentric.
: According to the pamphlet, this is the guard station for the evidence room.
: So, beyond that door is the evidence room… the scene of the crime?
: It sure seems that way…
: Oh. Ohhh…
: What’s wrong?
: It’s those cacti! They’re so prickly… so imposing! It’s hard to think straight.
: (If you can’t handle the cacti, stay out of the desert…) What I want to know is, if this is a guard station, where is the guard?
: I have a feeling I know who this guard is already…

Let’s take a look around.

: Look, on the floor, a lasso!
: Hmm… looks like it’s set up to trap something.
: A trap, here?
: Wait, I know!
: Maybe someone was trying to catch a wild bull in here…
: But the lasso missed!
: You sure have an active imagination.

: The evidence room is beyond that door.
: Let’s just walk in! …
: It won’t open.
: You thought it’d be open? (I think we’d need someone’s permission to go in there first…)

: It looks like there’s a video feed from the evidence room here.
: There’s a light blinking below the monitor.
: It says “Recording”!
: I bet we could use this computer to check on who went in and out of here!

: This swinging door makes the place look like some kind of saloon!
: But look, it’s nailed shut. You can’t get in that way.
: Of course not! If you went in through here…
: The cactus would fall over. Ouch!
: I’d say it’d be more of an “Yeeeeaargh,” myself.

: Yipes, that sure is prickly. It must be the real deal.
: I would think just one big one would be sufficient.
: This cactus…
: is a lot like my sister, actually.

: M-Ms. Skye?
: Encased in a cold, rigid shell, with thorns pointing in every direction…
: Just like her.
: … You know, I’ve been looking at this cactus a while now, and I don’t see the resemblance.
: …
: It’s more an attitude thing than a physical similarity.

: There’s a security guard uniform hanging here.
: It looks more like a costume than a uniform, honestly.
: A leather jacket, leather pants, a leather…
: What was that called again?
: A punchy? A paunchy? A pinchy?
: I know! A poochy!
: Hmm…
: Wait, maybe that wasn’t it.
: (It’s a “poncho,” but I think I’ll keep that information to my self for the time being.)

That’s about all we can do in here now, so it’s time to find someone who can get us past that door.

: (This place is charged with frantic energy, as always.)
: Please!!!
: Huh? Wasn’t that…

: Detective Gumshoe!
: Now’s no time for chit-chat, pal. I’m a busy man!
: What I really need is a steak lunch from Lunchland.

: …
: …
: (I think I just heard the sound of his heart breaking.)
: Now’s no time for despair!
: We’ve caught our criminal!
: Now we just need evidence!
: The criminal… you mean…?
: You heard about the stabbing in the Police Department evidence room, pal?

: Another detective… was killed at the Police Department!?
: And the perpetrator? Do you have a suspect?
: Well, there was a suspect.
: Just arrested 'em, in fact.

: But, Detective Gumshoe, who was it?
: Listen, pal, all I know is I need me a steak lunch, pronto!
: Standing around here talking isn’t going to fill my belly!

He goes to leave.

: W-wait! Don’t leave!
: If you want to know more, head on down to the detention center, pal.
: Questioning should be over, so I figure he’s down there having a good cry.
: Later!

And he leaves for real.

: He ran off to the evidence room…
: Well, this investigation is off to a running start.

To get to the detention center, however, we have to stop by the office.

Here, we can chat with Ema.

: Well… where should we begin?
: Oh, well, isn’t it obvious? We should begin with that, y’know… that thing.
: The mystery of the victim I guess. How could one man, Detective Goodman… be killed in two places simultaneously?
: Oh, well, you see…
: We should go to the Police Department… the evidence room, was it?
: Uh…
: I’m not being very useful here, am I…
: (No, no! You’re being very… helpful.)

: Poor Mr. Edgeworth…

: After all, you were in the defendant’s chair just last year…!
: …!

: Ah, about the killing at the Police Department, right.

: (But I can’t help but think… Someone at the Police Department doesn’t like Edgeworth…)

Now, to the detention center.

: Still, I do feel better about things. A little.
: I mean, they caught the person who stabbed Detective Goodman, didn’t they?
: Uh, yeah, I guess they did. (Best to not go too far down that road right now. Things will just get confusing.)

Imagine this accompanied by an annoying megaphone feedback squeal sound effect.

: Wh-what was that!?
: Sir! That’s what I’m saying! Me, a perpetrator? I-I-I’d say I-I-I was the perpetrated against, sir! That’s whaat I’d say!

: Wait, I know who you are…

: I’m here, sir, at the request of the Chief, sir! I’ve got your report, sir!

: No, sir! I’m not, sir! I’m a little lost patrolman, like a little lost lamb, sir!
: Oh, I get it.
: You’re here to deliver a report?
: No, sir, I, uh, how should I say this…
: (Wait… he isn’t… is he?) You… Officer Meekins… You didn’t… did you?
: Err…

This is why I hate Officer Meekins. Every time this sprite shows up, the same annoying whine sound effect plays. Be happy that I am not subjecting you to it.

: What…!? Whaaaaaaaaat!?
: (Now this is an unexpected turn of events…)

But still, we may as well question him.

: Sir! I’m a patrolman with General Affairs, sir! SIR!
: Ow. I can hear you fine, Officer Meekins.
: I had some business that day, sir, and so I went to the evidence room, sir… The guard office in front of the room was empty, sir!
: So, normally there’s a guard at the evidence room?
: That’s right, sir! Because evidence is kept in the evidence room, sir! Now, the security officer…
: was none other than Officer Marshall!
: i[/i]

: That’s when I saw him, sir!

: (What the heck is this guy doing?)
: So what happened then?
: After that, sir, I… I…
: everything went white! I saw red! I blacked out! And… when I came to,
: I was here. In the detention center.
: (How long were you out!? Days!?)
: Um, might I ask… what happened to your hand?

: Sir! There was no one to bandage me, sir! So I did what I could to wrap it up, sir!

: Yet another similarity between this case and the one at the Prosecutor’s Officer…
: First things first… tell us how you hurt your hand!

: Um, I don’t mean to pry, but you are the perpetrator, correct? You killed Detective Bruce Goodman in the evidence room… right?
: Sir…
: Please don’t look at me with those sad puppy dog eyes, sir! If oyu have to label me as perpetrator or victim, sir…

: Um, I would, but you happen to be in detention. And alive and well at that.
: Ah, yes, well, that’s true, sir. I suppose you could say that.

: Well, sir, if I had to label him as a “stranger” or a “total stranger”…
: Then I’d say he leans heavily on the “total stranger” side!
: So… you didn’t know him?
: Sir! I work in a tiny department, devoid of light or other creature comforts!

: I don’t know any detectives!
: So, if he was a total stranger, why did you stab him?
: Sir! I had n-no intention of killing him, sir! None!
: N-nor do I have any recollection of k-killing him, sir!
: (At least someone around here is more confused than I am.)

: And your hand… that happened when Detective Goodman was stabbed?
: Well! You see, sir,
: I, er…
: Don’t you think that you should just confess?
: But, sir! Sir! But! There was nothing I could do!
: “Nothing you could do”…?
: Sir, to tell the truth, sir, when it happened…
: When the detective pointed that knife at me, I just hollered, sir!

: And the next thing I knew, I was unconscious!
: The next thing you knew you were… huh?
: Then, when I opened my eyes…

: I was alone in the evidence room, sir! All alone! Alone because…
: Because Detective Goodman had disappeared!!!
: What!?
: Then when I looked down, I was gushing blood from my hand, sir!
: Oh, the shock! Oh, the sorrow, sir! Can you imagine how I felt?
: (The victim’s body… disappeared…?)
: Hmm… That’s some story.

If we present the switchblade knife…

: Officer Meekins, this is for you!
: Eeeek! I-I’m scared of knives, sir!
: It’s okay, I just wanted you to take a look at it.
: That’s it, sir! Last night, sir! That’s the one!
: I was an apple, sir, in my dream, sir, and I was… I was being peeled!
: On second thought, you don’t have to look at the knife.
: (Hmm… He’s overreacting to the knife, but I guess he’s been through a lot.)

…yeah, we’ll give him a break. I need a break from that goddamn megaphone anyway.

Next time: Slightly fewer annoying sounds.