Scenario #2

You are Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney. You are in court, trying to prove the defendant, Larry Butz, is not guilty of the murder of the world-famous rodeo star "Calliope Gallop". Across the aisle is the prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth. Edgeworth says that you have a difficult job ahead of you. He brings the first witness to the stand: your childhood friend, Larry Butz.

Larry Butz: (Sigh) I'm sorry, but I can't say anything else at this time. The judge will be looking for any possible evidence that could help you in proving my innocence.

The judge looks over at you and nods. He then turns back to Larry.

Judge: Mr.

> You say "His name is Larry Butz, your Honor."
The judge turns to you, annoyed.
Judge: Mr. Wright, I thought you said you needed the break after last time.
You: Oh, right! Sorry, your Honor. My associate needs some air, that's all.
The judge nods and Mr. Edgeworth approaches the stand.
Edgeworth: So, Mr. Butz, what shall your defense be?
Butz: (Sigh) I don't know, I'm sorry. I can't think due to my ongoing migraine.
Edgeworth: Well, that's lucky for you, then. You've been very fortunate, as this has allowed you to avoid the death penalty.
Butz: (Sigh) Yes, lucky me...
Edgeworth: Mr.

> You say "Can we get Larry some ibuprofen and continue with the cross-examination, please?"
Edgeworth: Mr. Butz, I'm going to ask you some questions and I want you to think very carefully before you answer. The life of your child is at stake.
Butz: (Sigh) Fine.
Edgeworth: Did you kill Calliope Gallop?
Butz: (Sigh) I don't know.
Edgeworth: Did you hire someone to kill her?
Butz: (Sigh) I don't know.
Edgeworth: Can you answer "No" to any of my questions?

> You say "Objection! He's badgering my witness!"
Edgeworth: Your Honor, the witness is being uncooperative. I'm merely trying to establish a link between the witness and the offense.
The judge frowns and overrules the objection.
Judge: Well, you should have asked for a yes/no answer instead of objecting, Mr. Edgeworth. Mr. Butz, can you answer "No" to any of the questions?
Butz: (Sigh) I don't know.

> You say "What DO you know, Larry?"
Butz: (Sigh) I know that on the night of the day Calliope was murdered, I was at home in my bed asleep.

> You say "Do you have anybody to back up your alibi?"
Edgeworth: Mr. Butz, when you were caught red-handed attacking Miss Thomas, you managed to slip a what into her hand.

> You say "Wait what? When did THAT happen?"
Edgeworth: Perhaps the prosecution could refresh your memory, your Honor.
The prosecution flips open their briefcase and pulls out a small notebook. They begin to leaf through it.
Edgeworth: Would the defense care to take a look at the notebook, your Honor?
The judge nods. You look over at the notebook and my eyes widen.

> You say "Larry! Explain yourself! What is this!?"
Butz: (Sigh) I found this somewhere in the room right after I exited the bathroom.

> You say "But what is it???"


> You say "But what is it???"
Butz: It looks like notes that my sister made when she followed me on my tail that day.
Butz: It has the exact same numbers as the ones found in my cell.Butz: (Sigh) I don't know.
Edgeworth: What time did you leave the bathroom?
Butz: It was sometime before midnight.

> You say "And when you left the bathroom, you found Calliope dead on your bed?"
Butz: Yes.
Edgeworth: How did she die?
Butz: She was strangled to death like my sister and Miss Thomas.
Edgeworth: Why were her clothes on??
Butz: I don't know! I swear! I was sleep and I didn't kill her!
Edgeworth: Then who did?
Butz: I don't know! I'm sorry!

> You say "Was the window open? Was the from door unlocked, by any chance?"
Butz: (Sigh) I think it was open at the window and the door was unlocked.
Edgeworth: You think??

> You say "Larry! You need to give a more definite answer than "I think"! Your life is on the line here!"
Butz: (Sigh) Yes. I think it was open at the window and the door was unlocked.
Edgeworth: What about the window??

> You say "If the window was open, then that could possibly be where the true culprit got in from."
Butz: I suppose so.
Edgeworth: Alright then, the window can be ruled out. But the door??
Butz: I think it was open.
Edgeworth: Well...

> You say "So the culprit could have entered through the unlocked door, strangled Calliope while Larry was in the bathroom, and then walked right out again!"
Butz: (Sigh) A smart person would do that.
Edgeworth: Larry, I'll have you know that there are many, many, people who would consider that an unhelpful answer.

> You say "Was the door dusted for prints?"
Butz: (Sigh) No.
Edgeworth: Then you're at a loss of how to proceed with your defense.
Butz: I know I didn't kill her.

> You say "Your Honor! The defense requests that the door be dusted for prints! It could turn this case completely around!"
The judge nods.
The judge: The defense has requested that the door to the room be opened, but I have my concerns over whether or not this would be a wise decision.
You: Your Honor!

> You say "Thank you! I promise it will be worth your while!"
The judge shudders to think what might be on the other side of the door. He reluctantly nods to allow it to be opened.
Everyone gathers around as the bailiff gently unlocks the door and slowly pushes it open.
You take a deep breath....
And step inside.
The door is dusted for fingerprints and everybody waits for the results to come back. Later, someone enters the courtroom with the results.
The dusted door is clear.
THE JUDGE: Call your next witness.
Edgeworth: I'd like to call Madeline Dunbar to the stand.
Butz: Whaaaaaat?
Edgeworth: Miss Dunbar left the Orinburg Incident Report late last night, before the police sealed off the area.

> You say "This is the first I'm hearing about the Orinburg Incident. Can you give some more details about it?"
Butz: (Sigh)
It all started when I was at the police station....
April/May/2014
Calliope Gallop was murdered and I'm a suspect
I'm being framed.

> You say "Nevermind Larry, I think I'll have Miss Dunbar explain what it is."
Butz: Alright.
Edgeworth: Miss Dunbar, can you tell us what the Orinburg Incident is?
Butz: (Sigh)
It's when a suspicious person, somebody who may or may not be connected to the crime, will enter the Orinburg Hotel.

> You say "The same Hotel where Calliope was murdered?"
Butz: Yeah.
Edgeworth: And you would be the one in charge of keeping an eye out for such situations?
Butz: (Sigh)
I was.

> You say "Larry, stop sighing and let Miss Dunbar explain!"
Butz: (Sigh) Alright.
Butz tells you to stand by for a moment while he goes to talk to his daughter.

> You say "Do you have any other witnesses, Edgeworth?"
Edgeworth: There were two witnesses already called. A police officer and the hotel owner. I'd like to call the Hotel's Chief of Security, Madeline Dunbar.

> You say "Very well. I would like to hear her testimony."
Edgeworth nods, and steps aside.
Madeline Dunbar testifies about the security of the Hotel.
Edgeworth: Did you find any weaknesses in the Hotel's security?
Dunbar: Well, I did have concerns about the doors. They're all a bit outdated, and none of them have alarms.
Edgeworth: What would you do if someone tried to break in?
Dunbar: Well, the alarm would go off and I would see it on the CCTV. I would immediately call the police.
Edgeworth: And when was the last time you had this done?
Dunbar: Last night, before the police had sealed off the area.
Edgeworth: Your Honor, I would like to make an adjournment to investigate these alleged security flaws.
The Judge nods.

> You say "Do you get people breaking in the hotel rooms often, Miss Dunbar?"
Dunbar: No, not at all. Other than the police, the only people who have keys are the hotel staff and the guests.
At this point, Butz stands up.
Butz: Your Honor, may I just say something?
The Judge nods.
Butz: Miss Dunbar said that the hotel has security cameras. I would like to see the footage from last night.
Edgeworth: Objection! This is totally irrelevant.
The Judge nods.

> You say "Objection! That is totally relevant! The defense requests to see the footage from the security cameras!"
Butz: (Sigh) I can't object to that, the prosecution can use whatever evidence they want.
The Court Officer turns on the CCTV footage.
The video shows a man enter the hotel lobby. The man is wearing a black leather jacket, black pants and a black fedora. He carries a black backpack.
Butz: Look familiar?
You watch the video again. The man looks vaguely familiar to you....
The man checks in, then goes up to the desk. The desk attendant looks like she knows the man, but you're not sure if it's a good or bad idea if you know him.

> You say "Did this guest hand in any identification when they checked in?"
Butz: No, but it doesn't look like they booked any rooms or anything.
The man then turns and leaves.
Butz: He just goes up to the elevator and gets out on our floor.
The man walks out of the elevator. He then walks into the hallway outside your room, where he looks around.
He seems to be looking for someone.
Butz: Should we go get him?

> You say "Hold on, Larry. I want to see what this man does next."
The man then enters your room, which surprises you.
Butz: What are you doing here?!
The man reaches for Butz' backpack.

> You say "Aha! So you must be the guy who murdered Calliope!"
! The man turns around and pulls out a gun!
Butz: A gun?!
The man holds up a gun.
Man: I don't like being grabbed. Who are you?

> You say "Baliff! Arrest this man! He has a gun!"
The man turns and runs out of the hotel, dragging someone with him.
Butz: Who was that?
You don't know. Butz, the case is solved!

> You say "You're innocent, Larry! Congratulations!"
Butz: Huh? Oh, thanks for defending me.
Butz shakes your hand.
Butz: Anyway, there's no way the police can find out if I loved someone in the past, right?

> You say "Not unless you tell them."
Butz: Heh, you're right. And I don't intend to do that.
The Court Clerk arrives with the key to your cell. Congratulations on solving another case, Baliff !