Chapter 15 - The Day of Reckoning
The San Diego Superior Court was packed to maximum capacity on the opening day of the trial. Dozens of news crews lined the steps outside, while security officers screened every person entering the courtroom.
Julianna Vance and Daniel Mercer sat at the defense table, dressed in conservative dark suits, looking pale and detached.
The lead prosecutor called her star witness to the stand: twelve-year-old Mateo Cruz.
Mateo walked confidently to the witness box, wearing a neat navy blue suit that Michael had bought for him. He sat tall, his feet barely touching the floor, but his voice was completely steady as he swore the oath.
"Mateo," the prosecutor asked, "can you tell the jury what you overheard on Friday, July 24th?"
Mateo looked directly at the twelve jurors. In clear, precise detail, he recounted stepping behind the hedge, hearing Julianna's distinct voice, and listening to Mercer detail the plan to push Michael from the balcony at five-forty-five PM.
Mercer's attorney jumped up immediately. "Objection! This is fabricated testimony from a child who admitted receiving money from the victim!"
The judge overruled the objection sternly. "The witness will continue."
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Mateo looked at the defense lawyer without flinching. "Mr. Vance gave me extra money because he believed in my dream of going to space. I didn't lie for money. I spoke up because Mr. Vance was kind to me, and nobody deserves to be thrown into the ocean."
A quiet wave of approval rippled through the courtroom gallery.
