Page 130 of Precise Justice

“Suit yourself. Be careful. Be back at 1:30.”

Dear DiaryMay 11

We finished jury selection today. Twelve jurors and six alternates. Marc said the prosecution lawyers are angry about it. He said we finished jury selection because the judge made them (the lawyers) use up their (I’m not sure if I’m spelling this right,) peremptory challenges. These things that both sides have to eliminate jurors they don’t like. They don’t need a reason, just tell the judge.

Once those were used up, things went quicker. Marc asked for more and objected when the judge turned him down. Marc said he knew that would happen. He did it anyway in case we lose and need to appeal. Now I’m really worried. My lawyer said he’s planning in case we lose!

I asked Jennifer about it. She told me doing that, planning for an appeal is necessary, isnormal. Not to worry, she said. Nice try.

The judge spent an hour telling the jurors how to behave. This was after they were officially sworn in. Then, since it is Wednesday, the prosecution requested a recess until Monday. Judge Foster said no. We start with opening statements tomorrow

Now it really starts.

Maddy is back. That helps. Marc told me he likes having her with him. He claims she brings him luck. Jennifer told me the truth. He likes having her here to distract the jury, especially the men. She says Maddy knows it but puts up with it anyway.

May 12

“You may proceed with your opening statement, Ms. Raines,” Judge Foster told the woman at the prosecution table.

Raines stood, thanked Judge Foster then moved out from behind the table. Standing a few feet from the jury box, she began by re-introducing herself and Hughes. Raines thanked the jury for their service, then began.

“What we have here is an angry young boy who seems to believe he was coerced into transitioning into gender affirming treatment. When Robert Curtis-Powell became Roberta Curtis-Powell, the anger became so unbearable she decided to do something about it.”

“Objection, argumentative,” Marc stood and said.

“Sustained. Tone it down,” Foster told her.

“I can’t tell you if Roberta Craig-Powell will take the stand to testify or not. She doesn’t have to. We have volumes of her diaries to present. In her own words, she will confirm this…”

Raines took a moment to look at each juror before continuing.

“This is a horrible trial. We have five victims. Four of whom were brutally murdered by having a claw hammer driven through their skulls. You will hear testimony from the medical examiners that each of the four were struck not once or even twice, but three or four blows with this claw hammer,” she said showing the jury the hammer found in Robbie’s dorm room.

“We have a fifth victim, the mother of the defendant, smothered with a pillow while she was asleep. The detectives and crime scene police will testify that the house was made to look like a burglary occurred that turned into her murder. The police believe the burglary was staged to cover up the murder.”

Raines went back to the prosecution’s table and drank some water. She glanced at a note pad, then began again.

“Five victims, ladies and gentlemen,” Raines continued.

Marc made a quick note and showed it to Jennifer.

Shouldn’t we change ladies and gentlemen to potential inseminated people and potential inseminators?

Jennifer read it then coughed two or three times to avoid laughing.

“Because there are five victims and we have the burden of proof, we will be presenting evidence of each one, one at a time.

“For each one, and we will take them in order starting with Priscilla Craig-Powell, the defendant’s mother, you will hear from several witnesses. The person who found the body, the firstresponding police officer, the lead investigator, the crime scene unit and medical examiner.

“It could get to be a slow and repetitive process. Our apologies. But each victim deserves justice and our job is to give it to them.

“This is a case of circumstantial evidence. What that means is there were no eyewitnesses to any of these murders. We will present plenty of motive, opportunity and the murder weapon. The claw hammer found hidden in the defendant’s college dorm room between her mattress and boxspring, along with her diaries.

“Finally, ladies and gentlemen,” Raines said.

Jennifer looked at Marc and mouthed the word, “don’t” at him.

“All five of these victims are tied to one person and one person only. Roberta Blake Curtis-Powell,” Raines said. By now she was standing in front of Robbie and pointing at her.