Page 143 of Precise Justice

“Your Honor, he’s trying to put diminished capacity into evidence,” Hughes said.

“Their expert said Robbie did this. We have to rebut that,” Marc replied.

“And he’s putting the entire issue of transition affirmation on trial. It’s irrelevant,” Hughes said.

“He put the trans affirmation into this trial when he made it motive. We have every right to go after it,” Marc said.

“He’s got you on both counts, Mr. Hughes. You did bring trans affirming care into the trial when you made it motive.”

“We did not. We did not specifically say…”

“Then you go stand in front of the jury and tell them you have no motive,” Marc said.

Hughes did not say a word which caused Marc to say, “That’s what I thought.”

Back in the courtroom, Foster told Curtis he could answer Jennifer’s question. The court reporter read it back.

“I think Robbie Craig is angry, depressed, hurting. A reading of her diary clearly indicates she did not want to do the transition. She tried suicide once but I don’t believe she is still suicidal. Nor is she homicidal.”

“I’m curious, Doctor Curtis, and some of the jurors may be as well. What is your professional, expert opinion of transition affirming care and treatment?” Jennifer asked.

“For adults, I’m not opposed, although I would like to see them get professional counseling before it is done.

“For children, minors under the age of twenty-one, anyone who has anything to do with this mutilation of children, including parents, school officials, doctors, nurses, anyone at all, should do at least ten years of prison time in a hardcore prison. This malicious mutilation of children must stop.”

“Objection . . .” Hughes stood and called out.

“Overruled,” Judge Foster quickly said.

“The defense calls Melissa Myles, your Honor,” Marc stood and announced.

“The state objects your Honor. This witness is one of the police detectives assigned to investigate these homicides. She was subpoenaed in her home late yesterday afternoon. We were given no notice and have no discovery as to what her testimony might be,” Hughes stood and said.

“Mr. Kadella, would you care to respond?”

“She’s on our witness list, your Honor. And we wrote on it that she would testify about the investigation. It’s not like the prosecution doesn’t know of her and who she is. She works for them.”

“Agreed. The objection is overruled. Bring in Detective Myles.”

Marc went through the preliminary questions about Melissa’s job. Moving on, he covered her partnership with Lucy Compton and the investigation of all five murders.

“Your Honor, permission to treat the witness as hostile?” Marc asked.

“Sure, yes, go ahead,” Judge Foster said.

“Detective Myles, you and Detective Compton were both at the home of Priscilla Powell when her body was discovered, weren’t you?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“Okay, let’s try it again. You were called to the scene and were at the house while Mrs. Craig-Powell was still there, her body, correct?”

“Yes, I was.”

“And you started your investigation right away by going through the house looking for evidence, yes or no, please?”

“Yes.”

“And while you did this, my client was seated on a couch in the living room with a woman, Claudia Shepherd, who was Mrs. Craig-Powell’s executive assistant, correct?”