There were no cameras inside the courtroom that day. The telecast was prohibited even though the case was still in pre-trial status, but reporters, both national and local, were already stationed outside the district court. Under the scorching sun, various news personalities were preparing. According to the messages they received, both sides would give statements after the pre-trial. So, despite nearly bathing in their own sweat, they patiently waited outside. Some had umbrellas, but they didn’t alleviate the oppressive heat. Each cameraman took turns drinking from their mineral water bottles while some reporters continued to read. But it was fine. They would get a bonus at the end of the month if they secured first-hand coverage.
Inside the courtroom, the defense and prosecution arrived quietly. Azora’s father, Alibata Briones, was already there, accompanied by Simmy, who had swollen eyes, sitting behind him. Seated beside Alibata were some of his lawyer friends who helped gather evidence and analyze Azora’s case.
On the other side was Narciso Clasiso, his face devoid of emotion. Beside him was Skylar Angeles, with several well-known figures in the legal field seated next to them.
No one else was allowed inside except those directly involved in the case and trusted individuals from both sides.
Lamech Adam arrived shortly after. He glanced at Alibata Briones and gave him a slight smile. They had worked together on a case before, but now they were opponents. He cleared his throat and looked away, sitting not far from Narciso. When his gaze met his client’s, he saw the corner of Narciso’s lips lift. Lamech nodded and returned his gaze to the front.
A few minutes later, Azora arrived. The already silent courtroom grew even quieter. All eyes turned to the woman staring blankly at the floor. Two policemen flanked her as she made her way towards Alibata.
Alibata’s anger flared at the sight. “Don’t escort my daughter,” he snapped at the two policemen. “She’s not yet convicted.”
A loud laugh came from the prosecution’s side. It was Narciso. Alibata ignored his arch-enemy’s mocking laughter and quickly guided Azora to his side. One of his lawyer friends offered a seat for Azora.
The room fell into a deafening silence again as they awaited the judge’s arrival.
Occasionally, Alibata glanced at Azora, who remained dazed beside him. His vision darkened further at her vacant expression. He clenched his fists. His heart ached seeing his daughter so out of it. This wasn’t the daughter he raised. This wasn’t Azora.
Unable to hold back, he hugged her, burying his face in her hair. His body trembled. He wanted to lash out, to punch everyone in the prosecution. They were the reason his daughter’s life was ruined. They were the reason Azora lost her sanity! He knew they had done something to her.
“All rise,” a male voice announced.
Everyone stood and sang the national anthem.
Moments later, the judge called the prosecution and defense to present their cases. Alibata promptly held Azora’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’ll be alright, daughter,” he whispered before letting her walk to the platform.
He took a deep breath. He was confident the case would be dismissed before it even reached a formal court hearing.
Both sides took their oaths.
“You may raise your case,” the judge said to the prosecution.
Lamech stood and presented. “Your honor, the defendant has been charged with murder on March 10 of this year. The victim is Anthony Clasiso, 20 years old, a student at City Scapes University. A suicide note was found near the victim’s body, and the case was initially dismissed as a suicide. The plaintiff received an autopsy report stating the victim died due to excessive mercury intake. They found a large amount of mercury in the victim’s bloodstream.
But on August 15 of this year, an unknown person presented another autopsy report. This report stated the victim died due to asphyxiation or lack of oxygen. A significant trauma was found on the victim’s neck caused by strangulation. Similar to the first autopsy report, the victim’s bloodstream had high mercury levels. Based on these facts, the prosecution concluded it was a murder case.
On August 30, Azora Sirai Briones confessed at a third police station in Sibonga, south of Cebu, that she had killed the victim. During the preliminary investigation, the defendant herself pleaded guilty. I have gathered evidence against the defendant and ask for them to be marked.
First is the recording of Azora Briones admitting she killed the victim. Second is the CCTV footage inside the University showing Azora Briones exiting the crime scene minutes after the victim’s death. Third is a necklace with Azora and the victim’s picture inside a heart-shaped pendant found under the bushes, 10 meters from where the victim’s body was found. Fourth is the foreign DNA found near the victim’s body, matching the defendant’s DNA.
These pieces of evidence prove that the defendant is guilty as charged,” Lamech concluded.
The room remained silent after Lamech spoke. Alibata clenched his fists. He wasn’t wrong to praise Lamech before. He was well-prepared for battle, and the fourth piece of evidence surprised him. DNA test. He gritted his teeth. How did he get that DNA test?
He narrowed his eyes at Narciso on the other side. A small smile played on Narciso’s lips. Alibata’s vision darkened further. He turned his attention back to the front as Azora’s trusted lawyer began to speak. He sighed and crossed his arms.
“My client is wrongly accused, your honor.” The lawyer presented evidence before the judge. “The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against her.”
The courtroom grew tense. Both sides’ members sat up straighter.
“The defendant is incapable of knowing right from wrong. Under paragraph 1, article 1 of The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, a person is exempt from criminal liability if they acted during a lucid interval.
The recording presented by the prosecution where the defendant admitted the crime should be deemed null as it was recorded when the defendant was mentally incapable of knowing right from wrong. On July 30 of this year, the defendant was admitted to a hospital due to poisoning.
Her father, Alibata Briones, asked Dr. Guama Yu of the Psychology department of De Lapaz Private Hospital to test Azora’s psyche. The result showed that the defendant had mild Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to family problems. On August 10, days after Azora was kept in a safe place for a vacation, her father made her undergo another psychological test. The result showed that Azora had severe PTSD symptoms that made her forget some events. Five days later, Azora escaped from the safe place and went to the Police Station, where she admitted to a crime she never committed.”
Simmy blinked after hearing the lawyer’s statement. She felt cold. She glanced at Narciso, who gave her a slight, hostile look. She swallowed hard. She didn’t know a test had been conducted at that hospital. Alibata hadn’t told her. He hadn’t mentioned it. She clenched her fists.
“Second,” the lawyer continued. “The CCTV footage showing Azora exiting the crime scene minutes after the victim’s death should not be held against the defendant. Exactly two minutes after the victim’s death, two students were seen exiting from the other side where Azora was seen. Four minutes later, another group of University students passed by the same way. Then Azora was seen exiting the other side according to the prosecution’s evidence. But three minutes after Azora passed by in the video, a woman wearing a hood was seen. This footage is the full version of the CCTV footage presented by the prosecution. Therefore, the CCTV footage cannot be used as direct evidence against the defendant.”
A smile appeared on Alibata’s lips. He saw that the pre-trial was going well.
“Third. The necklace with a heart pendant containing a picture of Azora and the victim. This object was found 10 meters from the exact location of the victim’s body. It is said the necklace was inside an aluminum box, meaning it was brought there as a gift. Azora Sirai and the victim were in a relationship. It was their first monthsary when the victim was killed. Azora brought the gift to the area and left it there to surprise the victim. But as she walked through the area, she saw Anthony’s dead body. She was the true first witness, your honor.
This leads to the fourth evidence of the prosecution, the foreign DNA near the victim’s body matching the defendant’s DNA. Azora Sirai approached the body and thus left some DNA behind. Minutes after grieving, she walked out of the crime scene, as seen in the CCTV footage.
To refute the claim that the defendant killed the victim, I present the difference between the defendant’s and the victim’s biological measurements. The victim was 6 feet tall, while the defendant is just 5’5. The victim weighed approximately 177 pounds, while the defendant is just 88 pounds. The defendant’s hand is three times smaller than the handprint shown in the police report. The handprint also showed an upright position, meaning the murderer lifted the victim off the ground, exerting enough strangulation force to break some of the victim’s blood vessels around the neck, blocking the airway, thus leading to asphyxiation. With these facts, the defendant cannot be the murderer because she can’t lift a person of that weight for several minutes until the victim ran out of breath.
With these facts, your honor, the defendant pleads not guilty,” the lawyer concluded.
Tension rose on the prosecution’s side while the defense breathed a sigh of
relief. They had spent sleepless nights studying every angle of the case. They hadn’t expected the prosecution to produce a DNA result, but fortunately, Azora’s lawyer quickly thought of a solution.
“Does the prosecution have any other evidence to present in court?” the judge asked.
Skylar swallowed. Sweat trickled down his back. He hadn’t wanted to attend the pre-trial, but his uncle Narciso had forced him. Andrie couldn’t be at the trial because it couldn’t be known that Anthony had a twin. His uncle planned to send Andrie back to the States after the trial, once they got justice for Anthony. Skylar reached for his necktie and loosened it. He felt like he was running out of air as the hearing dragged on.
Meanwhile, for the first time, Lamech felt a chill run through him. He hadn’t known the defense would be so well-prepared. He thought the defense wouldn’t have any evidence to present. Heh. He shouldn’t underestimate Alibata’s side.
He cleared his throat and stood. He faced Azora’s side. The woman was just staring at him. She had been looking at him since he and her lawyer spoke earlier.
Her face was pale, like it hadn’t seen sunlight. Her expression was blank, so he couldn’t tell if she was nervous about the pre-trial.
“Your honor,” he began. “I acknowledge the facts presented by the defense attorney as true and accurate. And thus…” He looked into Azora’s eyes. They were still blank, a void of endless darkness. He exhaled. “… the prosecution drops the charge against the defendant.”
He placed the papers on the table as a sign of the prosecution’s surrender in the case.