Location: Los Angeles District Court, Courtroom No.2.
Date: .3/8/2016.
Start time: 10:00.a.m..
End time: 14:32.p.m..

Case
Accused: Larry Butz.
Alleged crime: Murder of, “ex-Girlfriend”.
Victim: Cindy Stone.
Verdict: Not Guilty.

Dramatis Personae
Presiding judge: “Judge”.
Defence attorney: Phoenix Wright, assisted by Mia Fey.
Prosecuting attorney: Winston Payne:
Witnesses: Larry Butz and Frank Sahwit.

Evidence.
Exhibit A: Cindy Stone’s Autopsy Report. Time of death: .31/7/2016., between 4pm to 5pm. Cause of death: loss of blood due to blunt trauma. Submitted by the Prosecutor.
Exhibit B:  A heavy miniature replica of Rodan’s, “The Thinker”. Submitted by the Prosecutor.
Exhibit C: Cindy Stone’s Passport. Apparently arrived home the day before the murder. Submitted by the Prosecution.
Exhibit D: Blackout Record. Electricity to the victim’s building was out from 12:00.p.m. to 18:00.p.m. in the day of the crime.


Transcript

Judge: The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Larry Butz.

Winston Payne: The prosecution is ready, Your honour.

Phoenix Wright: The, um, defence is ready, Your honour.

Judge: Ahem. Mr. Wright? This is your first trial, is it not?

Phoenix Wright: Y-Yes, Your honour. I'm, um, a little nervous.

Judge: Your conduct during this trial will decide the fate of your client. Murder is a serious charge. For your client's sake, I hope you can control your nerves.

Phoenix Wright: Thank... thank you, Your honour.

Judge: ... Mr. Wright, given the circumstances... I think we should have a test to ascertain your readiness.

Phoenix Wright: Y-Your honour.

Judge: This test will consist of a few simple questions. Answer them clearly and concisely. Please state the name of the defendant in this case.

Phoenix Wright: The defendant? Well, that's Larry Butz, Your honour.

Judge: Correct. Just keep your wits about you and you'll do fine. Next question: This is a murder trial. Tell me, what's the victim's name?

Mia Fey: Phoenix! Are you absolutely SURE you're up to this? You don't even know the victim's name!?

Phoenix Wright: Oh, the victim! O-Of course I know the victim's name! I, um, just forgot. ... Temporarily.

Mia Fey: I think I feel a migraine coming on. Look, the victim's name is listed in the Court Record.  Remember to check it often. Do it for me, please. I'm begging you.

Judge: Mr. Wright. Who is the victim in this case?

Phoenix Wright: Um... the victim's name is Cindy Stone.

Judge: Correct. Now, tell me, what was the cause of death? She died because she was...?

Phoenix Wright: She was struck once, by a blunt object.

Judge: Correct. You've answered all my questions. I see no reason why we shouldn't proceed. You seem much more relaxed, Mr. Wright. Good for you.

Phoenix Wright: Thank you, Your honour.

Judge: Well, then... First, a question for the prosecution. Mr Payne?

Winston Payne: Yes, Your honour?

Judge: As Mr. Wright just told us, the victim was struck with a blunt object. Would you explain to the court just what that, "object" was?

Winston Payne: The murder weapon was this statue of , "The Thinker." It was found lying on the floor, next to the victim.

Judge: I see... the court accepts it into evidence.

*Exhibit B is submitted by the prosecution and added to the Court Record*

Mia Fey: Wright... Be sure to pay attention to any evidence added during the trial. That evidence is the only ammunition you have in court. Touch the Court Record button to check the Court Record frequently.

Judge: Mr. Payne, the prosecution may call its first witness.

Winston Payne: The prosecution calls the defendant, Mr. Butz, to the stand.

Phoenix Wright: Um, Chief, what do I do now?

Mia Fey: Pay attention. You don't want to miss any information that might help your client's case. You'll get your chance to respond to the prosecution later, so be ready! Let's just hope he doesn't say anything... unfortunate.

Winston Payne: Ahem. Mr. Butz. Is it not true that the victim had recently dumped you?

Larry Butz: Hey, watch it buddy! We were great together! We were Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra and Mark Anthony!

Larry Butz: I wasn't dumped! She just wasn't taking my phone calls. Or seeing me... Ever. WHAT'S IT TO YOU, ANYWAY!?

Winston Payne: Mr. Butz, what you describe is generally what we mean by, "dumped".  In fact, she had completely abandoned you... and was seeing other men! She had just returned from overseas with one of them the day before the murder!

Larry Butz: Whaddya mean, "one of them"!? Lies! All of it, lies! I don't believe a word of it!

Winston Payne: Your honour, the victim's passport. According to this, she was in Paris until the day before she died.

*Exhibit C is submitted by the prosecution and added to the Court Record*

Judge: Hmm... Indeed, she appears to have returned the day before the murder.

Larry Butz: Dude... no way...

Winston Payne: The victim was a model, but did not have a large income. It appears that she had several "Sugar Daddies."

Larry Butz: Daddies? Sugar?

Winston Payne: Yes. Older men, who gave her money and gifts. She took their money and used it to support her lifestyle.

Larry Butz: Duuude!

Winston Payne: We can clearly see what kind of woman this Ms. Stone was. Tell me, Mr. Butz, what do you think of her now?

Mia Fey: Wright... I don't think you want him to answer that question.

Phoenix Wright: My client had no idea the victim was seeing other men! That question is irrelevant to this case!

Winston Payne: Oof!  (He visibly winces)

Larry Butz: Dude! Nick! Whaddya mean, "irrelevant"!? That cheatin' she-dog! I'm gonna die. I'm just gonna drop dead! Yeah, and when I meet her in the afterlife... I'm going to get to the bottom of this!

Judge: Let's continue with the trial, shall we?

Winston Payne: I believe the accused's motive is clear to everyone.

Judge: Yes, quite.

Winston Payne: Next question! You went to the victim's apartment on the day of the murder, did you not?

Larry Butz: Gulp!

Winston Payne: Well, did you, or did you not?

Larry Butz: Heh? Heh heh. Well, maybe I did, and maybe I didn't!

Larry Butz: Um, well, see, it's like this: I don't remember.

Winston Payne: You "don't remember"? Well then, we'll just have to remind you!

Winston Payne: We have a witness that can prove he DID go to the victim's apartment that day!

Judge: Well, that simplifies matters. Who is your witness?

Winston Payne: The man who found the victim's body. Just before making the gruesome discovery... He saw the defendant fleeing the scene of the crime!

Judge: Order! Order in the court! Mr. Payne, the prosecution may call its witness.

Winston Payne: Yes, Your honour.

Winston Payne: On the day of the murder, my witness was selling newspapers at the victim's building. Please bring Mr. Frank Sahwit to the stand!

Winston Payne: Mr. Sahwit, you sell newspaper subscriptions, is this correct?

Frank Sahwit:  Oh, oh yes! Newspapers, yes!

Judge: Mr. Sahwit, you may proceed with your testimony. Please tell the court what you saw on the day of the murder.

-Witness Testimony: Witness's Account-

Frank Sahwit:  I was going door-to-door, selling subscriptions when I saw a man fleeing an apartment. I thought he must be in a hurry because he left the door half-open behind him. Thinking it strange, I looked inside the apartment. Then I saw her lying there... A woman... not moving... dead! I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside. I thought to call the police immediately! However, the phone in her apartment wasn't working. I went to a nearby park and found a public phone. I remember the time exactly: It was 13:00pm. The man who ran was, without a doubt, the defendant sitting right over there.

Judge: Hmm...

Judge: Incidentally, why wasn't the phone in the victim's apartment working?

Winston Payne: Your honour, at the time of the murder, there was a blackout in the building.

Judge: Aren't phones supposed to work during a blackout?

Winston Payne: Yes, Your honour... However, some cordless phones do not function normally. The phone that Mr. Sahwit used was one of those. Your honour... I have a record of the blackout, for your perusal.

*Exhibit D is submitted by the prosecution and added to the Court Record*.

Judge: Now, Mr. Wright...

Phoenix Wright: Yes! Er... yes, Your honour?

Judge: You may begin your cross-examination.

Phoenix Wright: C-Cross-examination, Your honour?

Mia Fey: Alright, Wright, this is it. The real deal!

Phoenix Wright: Uh... what exactly am I supposed to do?

Mia Fey: Why, you expose the lies in the testimony the witness just gave!

Phoenix Wright: Lies! What?! He was lying!?

Mia Fey: Your client is innocent, right? Then that witness must have lied in his testimony! Or is your client really... guilty?

Phoenix Wright: !!! How do I prove he's not?

Mia Fey: You hold the key! It's in the evidence! Compare the witness's testimony to the evidence at hand. There's bound to be a contradiction in there! First, find contradictions between the Court Record and the witness's testimony. Then, once you've found the contradicting evidence... present it and rub it in the witness's face!

Phoenix Wright: Um... okay.

Mia Fey: Point out contradictions in the testimony!

-Cross Examination: Witness's Account-

Frank Sahwit:  I was going door-to-door, selling subscriptions when I saw a man fleeing an apartment.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! Isn't a man leaving an apartment a common sight? I find it odd you would take notice of him...

Frank Sahwit:  Er... heh. I don't know. He just seemed strange to me, that's all. Like he was mad, and yet frightened at the same time. Just like... a criminal fleeing the scene of a crime!

Phoenix Wright: The defence requests that the witness refrain from conjecture!

Winston Payne: Of course. What the witness means is that the man he saw looked suspicious. So, what happened next?

Frank Sahwit:  I thought he must be in a hurry because he left the door half-open behind him.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! Half-open... you say?

Frank Sahwit:  Yes, yes, the door was open halfway. Yes. I watched for a moment, but no one came to close the door. "That's odd, in a big city like this," I thought...

Winston Payne: I see. And what happened next?

Frank Sahwit:  Thinking it strange, I looked inside the apartment.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! What gave you the idea to do that?

Frank Sahwit:  Well, the door was half-open, you see. Isn't it only human to want to... peek? We climb mountains because they are there! It's the same thing.

Winston Payne: Truer words have never been spoken! Anyone would look inside!

Winston Payne: So you looked into the apartment. What happened then?

Frank Sahwit:  Then I saw her lying there... A woman... not moving... dead!

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! Are you sure she was dead?

Frank Sahwit:  W-Well, no, I guess I wasn't. But, she wasn't moving at all, and there was blood everywhere.

Frank Sahwit:  I quailed in fright and found myself unable to go inside.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! So, you didn't touch ANYTHING in the apartment?

Frank Sahwit:  Um, yes. I mean no! Nothing.

Phoenix Wright: Okay. What happened next?

Frank Sahwit:  I thought to call the police immediately!

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! You "thought" to call the police? Does that mean you didn't actually call them!?

Winston Payne: Please, please... Listen to the rest of the testimony. You thought to call the police... What happened next?

Frank Sahwit:  However, the phone in her apartment wasn't working.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! The phone in her apartment wasn't working?

Frank Sahwit:  Yes. I mean, no, no it wasn't. Right.

Phoenix Wright: But you said you didn't go into the apartment... or did you!?

Frank Sahwit:  Oh, oh, that? I can explain that! There was a cordless phone on a shelf in the entranceway. I reached inside and tried using that to call...

Winston Payne: And the phone wasn't working, correct? What happened next?

Frank Sahwit:  I went to a nearby park and found a public phone.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! Why use a public phone?

Frank Sahwit:  Well, you see, I don't have a cell phone. And, being the middle of the afternoon, there was no answer at the nearby apartments.

Phoenix Wright: Ah, right... what time did you call again?

Frank Sahwit:  I remember the time exactly: It was 13:00.p.m..

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! 13:00.p.m.! Are you certain?

Frank Sahwit:  Yes. Absolutely.

Mia Fey: 13:00.p.m.? Wright. Doesn't that seem strange to you? Present some evidence to contradict him!

*Phoenix presents Exhibit A*

Phoenix Wright: Objection! You found the body at 13:00.p.m.. You're sure?

Frank Sahwit:  Yes. It was 13:00.p.m., for certain.

Phoenix Wright: Frankly, I find that hard to believe! Your statement directly contradicts the autopsy report. The autopsy notes the time of death at sometime after 16::00pm. There was nobody to... er... no, "body" to find at 13:00.p.m.! How do you explain this three-hour gap?

Frank Sahwit:  !!! Oh, that! Oh, er...

Winston Payne: Objection!

Winston Payne: This is trivial! The witness merely forgot the time!

Judge: After his testimony, I find that hard to believe. Mr. Sahwit... Why were you so certain that you found the body at 13:00.p.m.?

Frank Sahwit:  I.. er... well, I... Gee, that's a really good question!

Mia Fey: Great job, Wright! Way to put him on the spot! That's all you have to do: point out contradictions! Lies always beget more lies! See through one, and their whole story falls apart!

Frank Sahwit:  Wait! I remember now!

Judge: Would you care to give your testimony again?

-Witness Testimony: The Time of Discovery-

Frank Sahwit:  You see, when I found the body, I heard the time. There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television. Oh, but it was three hours off, wasn't it? I guess the victim must have been watching a video of a taped program! That's why I thought it was 1:00 PM! Terribly sorry about the misunderstanding...

Judge: Hmm... I see. You heard a voice saying the time on a taped program. Mr. Wright, you may cross examine the witness.

Mia Fey: Wright! You know what to do!

Phoenix Wright: I've got this one.

-Cross Examination: The Time of Discovery-

Frank Sahwit:  There was a voice saying the time... It was probably coming from the television.

Phoenix Wright: Hold it!

Phoenix Wright: Are you sure it was a television and not... a radio?

Frank Sahwit:  Well, no, I guess it might have been a radio.

Winston Payne: Incidentally, there was no radio on the premises. There was only one large television.

Mia Fey: Wright! I can't put my finger on it, but something about this seems fishy. Something about "hearing" the television...

Winston Payne: The witness has testified. He heard the time.

*Phoenix presents Exhibit D*

Phoenix Wright: Objection! Hold it right there! The prosecution has said there was a blackout at the time of the discovery! And this record proves it!

Frank Sahwit: ...!

Phoenix Wright: You couldn't have heard a television... or a video!

Frank Sahwit:  Gah!!! I... well... urk!

Judge: The defence has a point. Do you have an explanation for this, Mr. Sahwit?

Frank Sahwit:  No, I... I find it quite puzzling myself! Quite! ... Aah! W-wait! I remember now!

Judge: Mr. Sahwit? The court would prefer to hear an accurate testimony from the very beginning. These constant corrections are harming your credibility. That, and you seem rather... distraught.

Frank Sahwit:  ...! M-my apologies, Your honour! It... er, it must have been the shock of finding the body!

Judge: Very well, Mr. Sahwit. Let's hear your testimony once more please.

-Witness Testimony: Hearing the Time-

Frank Sahwit:  Actually, I didn't "hear" the time... I "saw" it! There was a table clock in the apartment, wasn't there! Yeah, the murder weapon! The killer used it to hit the victim! That must have been what I saw.

Judge: You saw a clock? I guess that would explain it. The defence may cross examine the witness.

Phoenix Wright: Gladly.

-Cross Examination: Hearing the Time-

Frank Sahwit:  Actually, I didn't, "hear" the time... I "saw" it!

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! That strikes me as a very suspicious mistake.

Frank Sahwit:  Yes, I can see how you'd be a little doubtful... I'm really sorry. I only just remembered that table clock!

Judge: A "table clock"?

Frank Sahwit:  Yeah, the murder weapon! The killer used it to hit the victim!

Phoenix Wright: Hold it! The... murder weapon?

Frank Sahwit:  Yes, the table clock that was used as a weapon! That's what I just said. Did you doze off in the middle of my testimony or something?

*Phoenix presents Exhibit B*

Phoenix Wright: Objection! Wait just a moment! The murder weapon wasn't a clock. It was this statue! Now how is this supposed to be a clock?

Frank Sahwit:  Whaa!? Y-you with your "objections," and your "evidence"... Just who do you think you are!?

Phoenix Wright: Just answer the question, Mr. Sahwit.

Frank Sahwit:  Hey, I... I saw it there, okay! That's a clock!

Winston Payne: Your honour! If I may...

Judge: Yes, Mr. Payne?

Winston Payne: As the witness stated, this statue is indeed a clock. The neck is a switch. You just tilt it, and it says the time out loud. As it doesn't look like a clock, I submitted it as a statue. My apologies.

Judge: I see. So the murder weapon was a table clock after all. Well, Mr. Wright? It appears that the witness's testimony was correct. This is a clock. Do you have any problems with his testimony now?

Phoenix Wright: Yes Your honour, there is a gaping hole in the witness's testimony! The only way he could have known the weapon was a clock is to hold it in his hand. Yet the witness testified that he never entered the apartment! Clearly, a contradiction!

Judge: Hmm... indeed!

Phoenix Wright: The witness knew it was a clock, because he went into the apartment. You're lying! You were inside the apartment on the day of the murder!

Frank Sahwit:  Oh yeah? Prove it! Prove I went in there!

Phoenix Wright: I'll do better than that! I can prove you were the one who killed her! You struck her with the clock, and the shock of the blow triggered the clock's voice! That was the sound you heard!

Judge: Order in the court! Intriguing. Please continue, Mr. Wright.

Phoenix Wright: Yes, Your honour. Mr. Sahwit. The sound must have left quite an impression on you. Understandable, since the murder weapon spoke just as you hit the victim! That voice was burned into your mind. That's why you were so certain about the time!

Winston Payne: Objection! W-w-what's the meaning of this? This is all baseless conjecture!

Phoenix Wright: Baseless...? Just look at the witness's face!

Frank Sahwit:  Ngh... grrrah!

Judge: Would the witness care to elaborate? Did you strike the victim with the clock?

Frank Sahwit:  I... I...! That... that day... I... I never! Look... I... the clock... I heard, no! I mean, I saw...Saw... nggg! Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Shutupshutupshutup! I hate you! I-it was him, I tell you! I saw him! H-he killed her and he should burn! Burn! Give him death!

Judge: Order! Order in the court I say!

Winston Payne: Your honour, a-a moment please! There isn't a shred of evidence supporting the defence's claims!

Judge: Mr. Wright!

Phoenix Wright: Your honour?

Judge: You claim the sound the witness heard came from the clock... Do you have any evidence?

Phoenix Wright: Yes, Your honour. The sound Mr. Sahwit heard was definitely this clock. A fact which is clear if you simply try sounding the clock. Let's sound the clock now, here in this court. Your honour, may I have the clock? I ask the court to listen very carefully...

Exhibit B: ...*Beep*... [I think it's 8:25.]

Judge: That certainly is a strange way to announce the time.

Phoenix Wright: Well, he is "The Thinker," after all.

Judge: So, we've heard the clock. What are your conclusions, Mr. Wright?

Phoenix Wright: Mr. Payne... can you tell me what time it is now?

Winston Payne: It's 11:25.a.m... Ack!

Phoenix Wright: As you can see, this clock is exactly three hours slow! Precisely the discrepancy between what Mr. Sahwit heard and the actual time of death! So, Mr. Sahwit... Try to talk your way out of this one!

Frank Sahwit:  ... ...Hah! Hah hah! You forgot one thing!

Frank Sahwit:  While it may seem like that clock IS running three hours slow... It proves nothing! How do you know it was running three days slow on the day of the murder!? If you can't prove that, you don't have a case!

Phoenix Wright: ...!

Judge: Mr. Wright? It seems you lack the critical evidence to support your claim.

Phoenix Wright: ...! Yes, Your honour.

Judge: This means I cannot let you indict the witness. Unfortunately... This ends the cross-examination of Mr. Frank Sahwit.

Frank Sahwit:  I come all the way down here to testify, and look what happens! You treat me like a criminal! A criminal! You lawyers are all slime!

Mia Fey: Not so fast, Mr. Sahwit!

Phoenix Wright: Mia! I mean, Chief!

Mia Fey: Listen up, Wright! Don't throw this one away, not like this! Think!

Phoenix Wright: But, Chief, it's over. I can't prove the clock was slow the day of the murder! Nobody can prove that!

Mia Fey: Um... well, yes. But that doesn't mean you can't still win! Try thinking out of the box! Don't waste time doubting the facts. Assume the clock was three hours slow and... Think through it! Ask yourself, "Why was the clock three hours slow"? Figure out the reason, and you'll have your proof! Right, Wright? Can you think of a reason as to why the clock would be three hours slow?

Phoenix Wright: ... Wait! Maybe I can prove it!

Mia Fey: You must have evidence somewhere that can prove it, Wright! Find it and let them have it!

Judge: Well, Mr. Wright? You say the clock was already running slow on the day of the murder... Have you found evidence to support this claim?

Phoenix Wright: Of course. There is a piece of evidence in the Court Record that can prove my claim beyond a doubt!

Frank Sahwit:  Hah! Tough words! Let's see you pull this one off!

Judge: Let's see this evidence that proves why the clock was running slow!

*Phoenix presents Exhibit C*

Phoenix Wright: Take that! The victim had just returned home from abroad the day before the murder. As we all know, the time difference between here and Paris is nine hours! When it's 16:00.p.m. here, it's 1:00.a.m. the next day there. The clock wasn't three hours slow, it was nine hours fast! The victim hadn't reset her clock since returning home! That's why the time you heard when you struck her dead in her apartment was wrong! Proof enough for you, Mr. Sahwit? Or should I say... Mr. Did It!

Frank Sahwit:  Ngh! ...!

Judge: O-order! Order, I say! Well... This case has certainly turned out differently than we all expected. Mr. Payne... your witness?

Winston Payne: He... er... he was arrested and has been taken away, Your honour.

Judge: Very well. Mr. Wright?

Phoenix Wright: Yes, Your honour.

Judge: I have to say, I'm impressed. I don't think I've ever seen someone complete a defence so quickly... and find the true culprit at the same time!

Phoenix Wright: Thank you, Your honour.

Judge: At this point, this is only a formality, but... This court finds the defendant, Mr. Larry Butz... Not Guilty

Judge: And with that... The court is adjourned.

Phoenix Wright: It turns out that Frank Sahwit was a common burglar! He posed as a newspaper salesman to check and see when people were out of the house! That day... When Larry went to her apartment, the victim wasn't home. After he left, Mr. Sahwit let himself in to do his dirty work! While he was searching her place, the victim returned! Flustered, Mr. Sahwit grabbed the nearest blunt object he could find.