Page 145 of Precise Justice

FIFTY-TWO

The next two days were taken up with middle-of-trial witnesses. Friedman’s assistant and Miller’s nurse testified that both men were hardly role models.

The testimony about Friedman’s predilection for trans girls made for salacious news stories, as did the number of complaints about both Friedman and Miller. Jennifer wanted to use these two women to identify the complaint letters to put them into evidence. Hughes objected as to the letters being hearsay. Foster cut the baby in half and let the women testify about them but would not allow them to be given to the jury. They could testify about them as to their legitimacy but not read them in court.

Lorraine Butler, the psychiatrist Marc had sent Robbie to solidified the claim of Mike Curtis that Robbie was not homicidal.

An expert technician, Marc’s guy Jason Briggs found, Kirby Colbert, testified. He took up two hours dealing with the claw hammer. He not only had color photos; he had made a fifteen minute video. What he managed to show was that scratches on any given claw hammer as the type in evidence would make similar marks on skull fragments. Similar but not quite exact. Was he persuasive? Marc and Jennifer agreed. On a scale of one to ten, he was, at best, a seven. Reasonable doubt that the hammer found in Robbie’s dorm room was the one? Maybe. Enough to argue it.

The Thursday morning session was canceled by Judge Foster. He gave no explanation other than telling the lawyers he had personal business to attend to.

Thursday afternoon, Jennifer called out, “The defense calls Dr. Camille Bethany.”

The psychology professor from Northwestern University made an impressive first appearance. With her silver highlighted hair in a bun, a fashionable pantsuit and gold chain holding the glasses around her neck, she bore the air of professionalism very well.

She was sworn in and spoke her employment into the record. Jennifer had not even started when Celia Raines stood and interrupted.

“Your Honor,” Raines began, “we have received the Curriculum Vitae of this witness. Rather than waste the court’s time with the defense enlightening the court with it, we will stipulate as to her qualifications and designation as an expert witness.”

Since Foster had already allowed this for the state’s psychiatrist, he could hardly refuse.

“Granted. Ms. Moore, go ahead and have the witness’s CV entered into evidence,” Foster said.

“Yes, your Honor,” Jennifer replied. She had expected this and she had expected it when Dr. Curtis testified.

With a few formality type questions to identify Camille’s Curriculum Vitae, Jennifer had it presented as an exhibit for the defense.

Having prepared her questions expecting the prosecution to stipulate to her expertise, Jennifer was ready for it. She took almost a half-hour asking questions about Camille’s position at Northwestern and what her job involved. By doing this, Jennifer was able to ask her to explain everything of importance on the CV. Even though Raines tried to cut it off, Jennifer cleverly got Camille to tell the jury anyway.

“In your private practice providing therapy for people, have you counseled many transgender patients?” Jennifer asked.

“Almost two hundred and it’s getting worse,” Camille answered.

“What do you mean, it’s getting worse?”

“When I first began counseling patients, over twenty years ago, for the first ten years or so, I had none. Then, about ten or twelve years ago it started.

“I remember it because it became quite trendy…”

“Objection to the use of the word trendy, your Honor,” Raines said. “She’s trying to make a serious medical problem sound manufactured.”

Foster thought it over for ten seconds or so before saying, “Overruled. You stipulated to the professor’s expertise, now she has something to say because of it. I want to hear this.”

“What do you believe became trendy?” Jennifer asked.

“The explosion of transgender affirmation treatment.

“Think about it,” Camille turned to the jury and said, “We never used to hear about transgender affirmation. Then, about nine or ten years ago, it started and we have heard of little else. And, in my opinion, it started when the left won the right for gay couples to marry. That fight was over and for the people who fought for it, their source of funds dried up. They needed a new cause to solicit donations for or they would have to find jobs.”

“Your Honor, this is pure fantasy speculation and irrelevant to the issue before the court,” Raines objected.

“She has a point, Ms. Moore. Where are you going with this?” Foster said.

“We’re there, your Honor. If I may continue?”

“All right. Overruled. Proceed.”

“How many transgender patients have you counseled that transitioned from boys to girls?”