Chapter 10 - Emily’s Closed Door Testimony
Emily was eleven when trial began.
The judge allowed her to testify from a separate room through live video after specialists explained direct courtroom confrontation would cause substantial distress.
Jason’s attorney could cross.
I was not in room.
Neither Sarah.
A trained support person sat nearby.
The prosecutor asked:
“Do you remember Friday night?”
“Yes.”
“What did you hear?”
“Mom and Jason yelling.”
“What words?”
“Mom said he forged Dad.”
“Did you see what happened after?”
“I saw Jason holding Mom’s arm.”
“Was Mom walking?”
“Yes.”
“Did she want go?”
“No.”
“How know?”
“She pulled back.”
“Did Jason say?”
“He said get in car.”
“Did you see car?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“He came back.”
“Mom?”
“No.”
“What happened to your phone?”
“He took.”
“Why?”
“I tried call Dad.”
“Then?”
“He locked me in backyard cage.”
“Did he tell why?”
“He said I was a liar and needed learn.”
“Was door locked?”
“Yes.”
“Could you leave?”
“No.”
“Food?”
“Crackers.”
“Water?”
“Yes.”
“Bathroom?”
“He let me inside sometimes.”
No exaggeration.
Then key.
“Where from?”
“Mom put it in sewing box.”
“What did she say?”
“If something happens, give to police. Or Dad if police not there.”
“Did she tell what box held?”
“Proof.”
“Did she tell you to go pool?”
“No.”
“What did she say?”
“Don’t touch water.”
Good.
Then defense.
“Emily, you love father.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted stay with him more before this.”
“Yes.”
“Did you dislike Jason?”
“Sometimes.”
“Did your mom tell you Jason was bad?”
“No.”
“Did your dad?”
“No.”
“Did you see Jason hit mom?”
“No.”
“Did you see him force her into car?”
“I saw him drag her toward back.”
“But not car.”
“No.”
“Did he give you food and water?”
“Yes.”
“Did he let you bathroom?”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you cage was for safety?”
“No.”
“What did he say?”
“That I was liar.”
Then:
“Could gate have been opened from inside?”
“No.”
“You tried?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see your father break lock?”
“Yes.”
Then defense showed backyard video of me shoving Jason.
“Your father angry?”
“Yes.”
“Did he scare you?”
“No.”
“Has he yelled before?”
“Yes.”
I flinched hearing later.
“Did your mother say father could get angry?”
“Yes.”
“Did she hide evidence from him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he would come.”
The defense wanted paint me volatile.
Then Emily added without prompt:
“She said Dad gets loud when scared, but he doesn’t lock people up.”
The judge almost smiled? No.
Defense moved on.
Then:
“Did your mom ever tell you to lie about Jason?”
“No.”
Done.
Emily came out exhausted.
I hugged.
“Did I do okay?”
“You told truth.”
“Will he go prison?”
“Jury decides.”
She hated.
Then:
“Can we get pancakes?”
“Yes.”
Sarah joined.
For first time Emily allowed her to sit beside without me between.
Small.
Then trial continued.
Mrs. Harris.
She testified black bags.
Arguments.
Privacy panels.
Jason’s Saturday behavior.
Defense:
“You dislike Jason.”
“After he yelled.”
“You didn’t see Sarah kidnapped.”
“No.”
“You didn’t call police Friday.”
“No.”
“So you didn’t think immediate danger.”
“I thought family arguing.”
That hurt prosecution slightly.
But truth.
Then Detective Ortiz.
Chain.
Pool.
Cabin.
No opinion guilt beyond investigation.
May you like
Then Sarah.
Most important.
