67

Amirah’s Pov
“You all may be seated.” the Judge slammed the desk, everyone took to their seat, The clerk went up to Hunter and told him to swear as the Bailiff called on the jury which is a number of 12 people.
The plaintiff lawyer sat down looking confident, I breathe quietly looking back at Celina who was scrolling through some of her files.
My eyes scanned the room and they landed at Paisley, she did a sign language for goodluck and I nodded holding dearly the pendant she gave to me.
‘This is a good time to work now’ I said in my thoughts then let go of the pendant.
The clerk handed the judge some papers, he coughed clearing his voice.
He was a middle aged man, he quickly put on his glasses reading aloud the case.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury this is a criminal case for Hunter Dominiquez who is found guilty for murdering Esther Dominiquez, guilty or not guilty.” the judge said.
“Guilty my honour.” The Plaintiff Lawyer stated, the judge slammed his gavel asking him to proceed with a slight nod.
“Your Honour he is guilty, Esther Dominiquez disappeared 13 years ago without a trace the government leaked information that she was in hiding and he was the only one who knew where his mother was, my honour what would come across your thoughts during those 13 years having lost his father the day him and his twin brother was born it was obvious after Esther’s disappearance he despise his mother and haboured it into hate and tortured her until she died.”
“That’s a lie.” I couldn’t hold back any longer while he was speaking gibberish.
The judge ignored me and paid attention to the lawyer.
“Amirah let me do my job.” Celina muttered quietly and stood up. “Your Honor I object.” she called the judge nodded his approval for her to speak.
“Your Honor, Hunter had a very close relationship with his mother unlike his mother’s relationship with his younger twin brother, she went into hiding when they were 15, he understood why she had to hide and even communicated with her for two years before he completely cuts all connections with her, your honor if I may I would gladly show you evidence of the conversations between the two.” the judge nodded and she played the text messages and audio calls between hunter and his mother.
The Judge saw enough, careful with the time spent and was looking convinced.
“So your Honour why would Hunter kill his mother when the conversation between the two filtered no threats at all.” Celina stated.
“Your honour I object.” the Plaintiff claimed and the judge allowed.
“I call to the stand Hunter Dominiquez.” The Bailiff escorted Hunter who was handcuffed to the witness stand and the lawyer walked up to Hunter.
“Mr Dominiquez, you already swore an oath so you have no problem telling me any questions I might throw at you, Mr Dominiquez your mother left you and your twin brother when you both were 15, were you not upset? ” he said as Hunter just only nodded.
“So upset that you haboured a hate for her for 13 years.”
“My Honour I object we all saw the evidence through the conversation between both mother and son there is no excuse to bring it up again since it’s been clarified.” Celina muttered.
“Yes, but for only two years and after that he brutally cut all connections with his mother my honor it’s stated mother and son shared a last phone call before cutting all ties, the clerk will play the evidence and phone call retrieved from Esther’s cell.” he said as they played the conversation.
‘Hunter I’m sorry.’
‘I hate you and dad also I wished you died when you put to birth, you should have died with him.’
Then my mind recalled when Esther told me to tell Hunter she’s sorry but that could not be the reason Hunter killed his mother, I looked back at Hunter he was looking back at me remorsefully.
It couldn’t be.
“Hunter Dominiquez this is the last conversation between you and your mother, you even wished her death which explains the grudge you hold against her and that you killed your mother.”
“Do you agree to wishing your mother death.” The Judge questions.
“I did.” Hunter complied.
“I object.” I stood up all eyes landed on me.
“He already complied.” The lawyer said but the judge allowed me to speak.
I stood before the court. “Your Honor, Hunter did wish his mother death but he didn’t kill her the evidence was that she was tortured to death and found by a good samaritan but if the bailiff can provide us the picture she was shot once.” The lawyer was shocked on how I knew and as requested the picture was projected.
“As you can see she was shot on the chest, they said she was tortured? But if she actually was she would have sustained lot more than that because of the hatred. A man who said he wished she even died after having labour would have inflicted more pain, Hunter was hurt and said bullshit we all say it a do that all the time and I’ve been there but that doesn’t mean we actually carry out our thoughts.” I said as the Jury discussed with themselves.
Celina walked up to meet me.
“Your honor, she is right it doesn’t make sense after thirteen years he finally made up his mind to torture and then kill her.” Cecilia said.
“I object, Esther was trying to make peace by apologizing but instead her son was wishing her nothing but death.” the lawyer argued.
“Order..” the judge said as we went back to our seats.
“What does the Jury think.” the judge asked as the jury whispered quietly to themselves.
“Guilty.” they choired
“Your honour I want to call a witness to the stand.” Cecilia motioned and her eyes landed on Thiago. “Allowed.”
“I call on Thiago.” she said Thiago walked to the stand and swore, Cecilia walked up to him.
“Thiago how long have you known Hunter? ” she asked.
“13 years, I started working for him after the disappearance of his mother.” he said and I gotta ask how old is Thiago.
“So were you aware of the relationship between mother and son? ” she asked.
“No, I had no information was not the kind to talk to he was always keeping to himself he wasn’t even close to his twin brother.” Thiago stated honestly not helping.
“Your Honor if I may? Mr Thiago where were you when the crime took place in Detroit.” my heart skipped a beat. “I was with Amirah.” he replied quietly. “Where exactly? ” he pester.
“We went boating that day and I went diving and unexpectedly someone blew up our boat almost putting us in critical condition so I guess who ever wanted us dead also planned to kill Hunter and frame him.” Thiago said as the Jury gasped.
“Proof? ”
“Amirah sustained a lot of injuries and has a bruise sore at the back of her head, she sustained the injury after getting knocked out with parts of the boat.” Thiago said as a clerk walks up to me and escorted me to the Jury and showed my injury, they all gasped and the lawyer came to have a look for himself.
“So you are trying to say the same person who almost killed you also framed the murder ?” the judge asked.
“Yes your Honor.” Cecilia said and the Juries whispered again I went back to my spot breathing quietly.
They let Thiago go back to his spot and the jury were stuck and gave the judge no comment.
“Do you have evidence ?” The Judge asked.
“Yes your Honor I call to the stage Alec Rhett, Hunter’s cousin.” everyone turned glancing back at Alec who came up to the stand and was asked to swear.
“My honor my client will interrogate the witness a few questions in my place.” I got up walking to Alec.
Our gaze locked anger build up in my eyes as my fist clenched tightly I breathe calmly so my fist won’t break his throat.
I walked up to him closer and whispered. “I have nothing to lose anymore so back down now and I’ll save you the embarrassment. confess you killed Esther.” he smiled painfully obvious on how much my hate grew for him.
“I didn’t kill Esther and I would love to see you loose the last thing you care about.” my heart dropped but I smiled masking how freaked out I was, I backed up a bit looking straight at Alec.
“Alec you already swore an oath to tell the truth but either way you’ll still lie, do you confess you have a hand in the death of Esther? ” I asked and he grinned.
“Nope, why would I want to kill my aunt? ” he coos.
“Because your father killed Adam and he sent you to kill Esther and frame him so the law can kill Hunter instead and make him look like a bad person.” I said with confidence.
“Isn’t he a bad person? He killed your parents and took you away from me.” The crowd mummered at his uproar. “I don’t belong to you.” I yelled as Celina came and backed me up.
“Alec, what’s your relationship with Amirah? ” she asked. “She’s my girlfriend.” he gloated.
“Ex girlfriend.” I corrected.
“How long were you two in a relationship and why did you two break up? ” she asked.
“We dated for four years, we parted after some family issues, we resumed dating and broke up last month.” he said.