Project 16: Part Five

COURTROOM

MRS CLADEMAN sits in the stand.

MRS CLADEMAN, 60’s, Female, white.

MISS TREMBELAY: Mrs Clademan, do you believe in God?

MRS CLADEMAN: I go to church every Sunday and I pray for forgiveness for all my sins.

MISS TREMBELAY: Do you believe that men should perish for taking the life of another?

MRS CLADEMAN:No, I believe God is merciful, but those changelings, they’re not human, are they? Get rid of them I say.Mr Duncan turns to Calvin Roberts

ROD DUNCAN: Aren’t you going to strike her?

CALVIN ROBERTS: We’re all out of strikes.

CUT TO:

COURTROOM

JUDGE ORMSBY: That concludes jury selection. We will all reconvene in the morning to hear testimony.

Verdi turns to Calvin.

VERDI OCOCHA:  I knew you would come back Mr Roberts

CALVIN ROBERTS: Lets be clear. I’m only doing this for the money. From now on, Mr Duncan you will be dealing with me and me only. 

INT. SOUTH CITY, OFFICES OF LEOPOLD AND LEOPOLD, FOURTH FLOOR - DAY

Calvin is clearing out the contents of his office. Rowena strides in.

ROWENA: Take me with you.

CALVIN ROBERTS: You know I couldn’t afford you.

ROWENA: I couldn’t bear to work with these dinosaurs any longer.

CALVIN ROBERTS: My replacement will probably be less arrogant and less frugal.

ROWENA: I think you’re on the right track Calvin. Stay on it.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Its all about stubborn pride.

ROWENA: You know it isn’t.

EXT. SOUTH CITY, COURTS OF JUSTICE - MORNING

Calvin walks up the steps of the courts. Sounds of hissing and chants from dozens of protestors.

INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTS OF JUSTICE, COURTROOM - MORNING

Miss Trembelay stands and questions Detective Ramirez

MISS TREMBELAY: Detective Ramirez, I understand that you were the investigating officer in this case?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Yes. Yes, I was.

MISS TREMBELAY: Describe the scene

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Stasha Harris body was found lying on the forest floor, a couple of feet from a small stream. Her face was bloodied and she was stabbed five times in the stomach.

MISS TREMBELAY: And when you first interviewed Mr Verdi, how did he seem?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Nervous. Worried. Like he hadn’t slept all night.

MISS TREMBELAY: Did he confess?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Yes.

MISS TREMBELAY: What did he say in this confession?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: He said he couldn’t bear the torment from what he had done.

MISS TREMBELAY: Did you examine his clothes? 

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Yes. His shoes were muddied and his clothes bore all the signs, that he’d been in that forest.

MISS TREMBELAY: Were the footprints close to Miss Harris a match?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Yes

Miss Trembelay sits down

CALVIN ROBERTS: Detective Ramirez, whose DNA was found at the scene?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: The DNA matched, that of Jake Milburn. But, the accused is a changeling.

CALVIN ROBERTS: DNA can’t be mimicked?

MISS TREMBELAY: Your honour, we have an expert who begs to differ.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Did you interview Jake Milburn?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: We questioned both Mr Milburns

CALVIN ROBERTS: Before you questioned the accused?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Yes

CALVIN ROBERTS: So this would have allowed enough time to plant evidence pointing to Mr Ococha’s guilt?

MISS TREMBELAY: Your honour

JUDGE ORMSBY: You know the rules Mr Roberts

CALVIN ROBERTS: And this confession - did you witness it?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: No.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Why not?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: We were informed of a confession.

CALVIN ROBERTS: By whom?

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: Mr Milburn Senior

CALVIN ROBERTS: So, you never witnessed the accused admitting to his guilt.

DETECTIVE RAMIREZ: No.

INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTS OF JUSTICE, ELEVATOR - DAY

Mr Duncan enters the elevator. An attractive woman is already standing there. The doors close.

CECELIA ALBRIGHT: Mr Duncan, I’d like to help Verdi if I could.

MR DUNCAN: Who are you?

CECELIA ALBRIGHT: That’s not important. It’s just that I think he’s innocent. I think he needs all the help he can get.

The elevator doors open. Mr Duncan is surrounded by journalists.

JOURNALIST ONE: Mr Duncan, do you think Verdi should confess?

Mr Duncan looks around. The woman is gone.

INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTS OF JUSTICE, COURTROOM - AFTERNOON

Jake Milburn approaches the stand

MISS TREMBELAY: Mr Milburn, where were you at the time of Miss Harris death?

JAKE MILBURN: I was with my Father. I had been outside with Stasha. We had a little argument. She ran away through the woods. I didn’t follow her. The accused must have seen us. My Father invited me in to his office for a chat. We were talking for the best part of thirty minutes.

MISS TREMBELAY: After this chat, what did you do? 

JAKE MILBURN: I was tired. I fell asleep on a couch, in full view of everyone. I’m a heavy sleeper.

CALVIN ROBERTS: How did you manage to get scratches on your hands? 

JAKE MILBURN: Grass cuts. You’d be surprised what could happen. Two lovers rolling around in the grass. I loved her. I really loved her. Everyone knows the Greevus did it. He’s not human.

INT. SOUTH CITY, FREDO’S BAR - EVENING

Calvin enters a bar, in early evening. A bar lady behind the bar is drying a glass.

LUCINDA: Before you open your mouth, Mr Roberts, the answer is no.

CALVIN ROBERTS: You were Stasha’s best friend. You know things about Jake Milburn that could help this trial.

LUCINDA: I’m not interested

CALVIN ROBERTS: An innocent man could go to jail

LUCINDA: He’s not a man, now is he?

CALVIN ROBERTS: You know Jake did it. Why would you protect him?

LUCINDA: The lesser of two evils. I don’t like Jake, but standing up for a Greevus is a lot worse. Now if you’re not going to buy a beer, I suggest you leave.

INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTROOM - DAY

Litmus approaches the witness box

MISS TREMBELAY: Litmus Darman, did you witness this murder?

LITMUS: Yes Maam. I saw Verdi run into the woods after her. I followed. I called out to him to stop, but he didn’t listen.

He was fixated with her.

MISS TREMBELAY: Did you see him stab her?

LITMUS: Why yes

MISS TREMBELAY: What did you do?

LITMUS: Verdi was my friend. Its a heavy weight to bear. I went home and by morning my conscience got the better of me. I told Mr Milburn

MISS TREMBELAY: Senior or Junior

LITMUS: Senior of course. I confronted Verdi about it and he confessed. He said he was sorry.

MISS TREMBELAY: He said he was sorry. Thank you Mr Darman.

CALVIN ROBERTS: I’m confused Mr Darman. When you saw the accused on the night in question, did you see the form of Jake Milburn or Verdi Ococha?

LITMUS: Initially it was Verdi in Mr Milburn’s form but then he changed?

CALVIN ROBERTS: And how do you explain the DNA found on Miss Harris?

LITMUS: He changed form after he killed her.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Did you do anything to stop the attack?

LITMUS: I froze.

CALVIN ROBERTS: What were you doing in the middle of the woods?

LITMUS: I followed them

CALVIN ROBERTS: But you froze.

Litmus nods.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Did Mr Milburn Senior ask you to testify?

LITMUS: No sir. It seemed like the right thing to do.

CALVIN ROBERTS: And yet, you didn’t come forward until the following morning.

LITMUS: Yes sir.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Were yourself and Verdi friends?

LITMUS: Yes sir.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Did you talk to each other? Do things together?

LITMUS: Me and Verdi were friends. But lately I noticed a change in him. An anger.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Did you report this anger to anyone else?

LITMUS: No sir.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Do you like to gamble Mr Darman

LITMUS: Well sir...

CALVIN ROBERTS: There is a Mr Bradshaw who sometimes takes bets in the village. Do you know him?

Litmus hesitates

CALVIN ROBERTS: He has supplied us with a sworn statement that the day after you came forward with evidence, you cleared a five thousand dollar gambling debt. Is this true?

LITMUS: Well sir...

CALVIN ROBERTS: Yes or no?

LITMUS: Yes, I guess.

INT. DUNCAN ENTERPRISES BOARD ROOM - DAY

Mr Duncan and five trusted advisers are seated at the boardroom table. 

ROD DUNCAN: Gentlemen everything has been agreed. We will launch into the South American market in the third quarter.

MACK JOHNSON: With all due respects sir, we won’t have the resources to launch in new markets if we are losing employees and customers. Yesterday we lost the Simmons account. The day before that, the Dargard account. Stop with this Greevus thing. Dump him.

ROD DUNCAN: I can’t do that Mack.

MACK JOHNSON: Everything we have built, everything we have fought for is crumbling because of a passion project of yours. Dump him and save all our jobs.

ROD DUNCAN: I believe in what is right and what is just. I can’t just stand aside...

MACK JOHNSON: I’m not just worried about my job but if you keep this up you could find yourself in the gutter. He’s just a Greevus.

ROD DUNCAN: Verdi has as much right to justice and dignity as any man.

MR CLEVELAND: But he’s not... He’s not human.

The SOUND of BROKEN WINDOWS and a MOB SHOUTING LOUDLY is heard

Mr Duncan’s phone rings. He picks up the phone.

DUNCAN ENTERPRISES SECURITY GUARD: Sir, some of the protesters have broken through. They’re on their way up stairs.

ROD DUNCAN: Wyatt, call the police

DUNCAN ENTERPRISES SECURITY GUARD: With all due respect sir, the police are unlikely to help us in this situation.

ROD DUNCAN: Call them.

Mr Duncan puts down the phone.

MR CLEVELAND: What do we do now?

ROD DUNCAN: Gentlemen, you may leave, but I’m staying right here.

All but one of Mr Duncan’s staff leave. MR KONCHESNY remains seated.

ROD DUNCAN: Dale, you don’t have to stay.

MR KONCHESNY: You’re a good man Rod, but no man should stand alone.

The SOUND OF THE MOB baying for blood gets louder.

ROD DUNCAN: Come on Dale, lets not sit here like fools. There’s a helicopter on the roof.

EXT. SOUTH CITY, MAIN RETAIL CENTRE - DAY

A man wearing a balaclava walks down the street, holding a Molotov cocktail. He throws it through a shop window causing it to catch fire. 

The owner of the store rushes out to confront him holding a BASEBALL BAT.

RETAIL STORE OWNER: You evil little man.

The perpetrator removes his balaclava to reveal the face of Verdi Ococha. He turns and runs.

RETAIL STORE OWNER: Stop him. That Greevus burnt my store.

INT. SOUTH CITY, MR DUNCAN'S RESIDENCE - NIGHT

Calvin, enters the living room. Verdi sits on the couch watching television. He turns the volume down.

CALVIN ROBERTS: I have bad news Verdi. Your bail is to be revoked.

ROD DUNCAN: Is this because of the attempted arson?

CALVIN ROBERTS: Yes.

ROD DUNCAN: But he didn’t do it.

CALVIN ROBERTS: It doesn’t matter that he didn’t do it. They have images, witnesses...

ROD DUNCAN: Can’t you do anything? They’ll kill him.

VERDI OCOCHA: Mr Roberts has been doing what he can. You have been doing what you can. I will do what I have to do whether I like it or not.

INT. SOUTH CITY, MR DUNCAN'S RESIDENCE, CORRIDOR - NIGHT

Mr Duncan pulls Calvin aside.

ROD DUNCAN: It may be nothing, but there is a woman who claims to know Verdi. Verdi denied it. He clearly doesn’t want her involved. She may know something.

CALVIN ROBERTS: You met her?

ROD DUNCAN: Briefly. Dark hair. Average height. Blue eyes. Attractive. 

CALVIN ROBERTS: That really narrows it down.

ROD DUNCAN: I suspect she may be attending the case.

CALVIN ROBERTS: I’ll look into it.

INT. SOUTH CITY JAIL - DAY

Verdi is escorted to his cell by three prison guards. He is greeted with WOLF WHISTLES and TAUNTS. Prison Guard

GRANT HERCULES leads the way.

GRANT HERCULES: From today for the rest of your life, your ass is mine. You don’t eat, drink or piss without me telling you to. I know you Greevus. You’re going to take it and take it until eventually you break. You’re going to beg to me for mercy.

Verdi, enters his cell. Hercules whacks him again and again with a baton. He stops and retreats to the cell door.

GRANT HERCULES: That was just a warm up Greevus. Night night.

Verdi sits on his bed in pain, with a downbeat expression. He puts his head in his hands and starts sobbing.

PRISONER (O.C.) (taunting) That’s it. Let it all out you crybaby. Mommy. Mommy.

INT. SOUTH CITY, COURTROOM - DAY

MR POPPINGER sits in the witness box.

MR POPPINGER: Early 50’s, male, well dressed

MISS TREMBELAY: Mr Poppinger, according to the police report, a knife was found in the accused’s belongings. Is that correct?

MR POPPINGER: Yes.

MISS TREMBELAY: Was this the same knife used to kill the victim?

Miss Trembelay holds aloft a knife with a curved tip

MR POPPINGER: The knife is somewhat unusual. It has a curved tip. The wounds are consistent with a knife of this type.

MISS TREMBELAY: Did you find any trace of blood or anything else that would link this knife to the scene of the crime?

MR POPPINGER: The knife was wiped clean. There were no traces of blood or finger prints. Nothing at all. It was as if it was intentionally cleaned to divert suspicion.

Miss Trembelay sits down and Calvin stands up.

CALVIN ROBERTS: Would you say Mr Poppinger that the cleanliness of this knife was consistent with it being bought and never used?

MR POPPINGER: As I said. It is an unusual knife

CALVIN ROBERTS: Answer the question

MR POPPINGER : Yes

CALVIN ROBERTS: No evidence of Mr Ococha purchasing a knife has been provided? 

MR POPPINGER: He could have stolen the knife

CALVIN ROBERTS: You’re starting to sound like a politician and not an expert witness.

JUDGE ORMSBY: Mr Roberts kindly refrain from derogatory comments or I will have to consider you in contempt

Mr Roberts sits down