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Samantha Harris : No, sir. It was a closed adoption. He wouldn’t have been able to find him.

Mr. Dennon : No further questions.

{Opposing Counsel Lori Mason has requested a cross-examination}

Ms. Mason : Samantha, you said that Dean McKenna left you when you found out you were pregnant, correct?

Samantha Harris : That is correct.

Ms. Mason : And that he wanted nothing to do with you or the baby?

Samantha Harris : Correct.

Ms. Mason : And that baby was Dean’s child, correct? There were no other men at the time?

Samantha Harris : I…I don’t believe I ever said that.

Ms. Mason : No, of course not. Because that would be a lie.

Your honor if you would take a look at the evidence presented to you, you’ll see from months of communication that while Samantha and Dean were in a relationship around the time of conception, the child was not Dean’s, as confirmed by a paternity test performed in the twentieth week of pregnancy.

You’ll also find photographic evidence of Dean and Samantha together and looking quite in love well into her pregnancy, as well as written documentation that Dean was aware of the child’s paternity and was happy and willing to be a part of both baby and mother’s lives.

Even as far as to continue to try to reach out to Samantha to provide financial compensation for months while she ignored him.

Samantha Harris : That’s not…I don’t…that’s not how I remember…

Ms. Mason : No further questions, Your Honor.

DIRECT EXAMINATION

BY Mr. Dennon

Mr. Dennon : Andrew, you were a friend of Luke’s as a child growing up. Is that correct?

Andrew Olsen : Friends is a generous term. He and I are the same age, and my family attends Joseph Connelly’s church. I was familiar with Levi—Luke, whatever—but we weren’t friends .

Mr. Dennon : Was there any particular reason you’re so reluctant to call Luke a friend?

Andrew Olsen : He was a dark child. Even back in grade school, there was something off about him. We could all tell. He was always…leering at us. The other boys. It was sickening.

Mr. Dennon : Did anything ever happen between you and Luke?

Andrew Olsen : He got a little too close once. I could smell the sin on him. Could feel him trying to lure me into his web. I called him out on it. Tried to get away, threatened to tell the teacher. But he wasn’t happy about that. He punched me, square in the jaw.

Mr. Dennon : Luke was violent?

Andrew Olsen : Violent as all get-out. He probably could’ve broken my bones if I wasn’t so tough. I thank my work in the potato fields for that.

Mr. Dennon : Were you scared of Luke?

Andrew Olsen : Of course, I was scared. We were all scared of him. Even then, we knew he nothing but a dirty, filthy fa?—

Mr. Dennon : No further questions.

Mr. Dennon : Mrs. Connelly, can I offer you a handkerchief?

Rebecca Connelly : Thank you. I’m sorry. This is all just so overwhelming.

Mr. Dennon : I can’t even imagine what you’re going through.

Rebecca Connelly : My husband and I have lost so much. We just want our grandchildren to be safe with us and with God.

Mr. Dennon : Judge Martinez, may I request a recess? I believe Mrs. Connelly could benefit from some time. It’s been a very emotional day.

Mr. Dennon : Reverend Connelly, thank you for being here today. I know you’re a busy man.

Joseph Connelly : Never too busy for family.

Mr. Dennon : Can you tell me a little bit about your daily life?

Joseph Connelly : Of course. I wake up at five each morning and pray.

I ask the Lord to bless my family and my flock.

I read passages from The Bible out loud while my wife prepares breakfast, and then I get to work.

Some days I’m out in the potato fields, helping to harvest. Others I spend in the church with God, preparing my sermons and meeting with my people.

Of course, there’s always administrative work to be done and meetings to attend.

Funds to raise, impromptu worship sessions. I live a very busy life.

Mr. Dennon : And if this court were to grant you custody of the children in question, how do you see them fitting into that daily life?

Joseph Connelly : The children will fit in just fine. There are plenty of children in our community, being raised in the way of The Lord.

Mr. Dennon : And religion would play a big role in how you would raise the children?

Joseph Connelly : Religion is the only way to raise a child. My flaw as a parent was not instilling the fear of God into my son and daughter from the get go. I won’t make the same mistake twice.

Mr. Dennon : So how do you picture the children’s routines in your home?

Joseph Connelly : The children will be at home with my wife. Rebecca will teach them how to be polite, Godly young ladies. How to keep a house, how to serve a husband. How to pray and worship and center God in their hearts and souls. All things I’m sure the children are not getting now.

Mr. Dennon : That sounds quite nice and structured. I had a very similar upbringing in my own church, though of course, I was taught how to be a husband and the head of a household. Do you think your son is incapable of providing a sound, structured life for the children?

Joseph Connelly : The children are being raised in sin.

You want to sit here and tell me that my hot headed son is suddenly cool, calm and collected because he spends his time with another man?

I don’t buy it. You saw the video of Levi attacking my wife and me on the street just a few weeks ago.

I don’t think the children are safe. I don’t think the children have a chance of growing up halfway decent in the house they’re in now.

I think my daughter would be rolling in her grave if she knew who her brother really was.

And I definitely think it’s disgusting to expose the children to the perversion of two men claiming to be in love with one another.

That is not how God intended a marriage to be, I believe I’m the one to teach the children just that.

{Reporter’s note- Mr. Joseph Connelly’s testimony was interrupted by a member of the witness pool, Judge Martinez called for a recess and private meeting her in chambers with said witness.}