Previously on Nathan's Journey, Nathan and Andrea finally arrived in the courtyard and they faced the onslaught of hate from the world, and as they face the Jury, it feels just like Nathan's crimes... A set up!
It shows the caterpillar and butterfly sitting full of uncertainty on the window sill.
"How are we gonna do this? It's not even fair!" Nathan says panicking holding Andrea's hands.
"Look ,calm down, don't show them your afraid or they'll think you look guilty, pled honestly, use the evidence you've brought, offer your testimony and my testimony as further proof, we've got this okay? They can't deny the truth by forcing it into the dark. Whatever's in the-" Andrea says comforting him.
"Dark." Nathan says.
"Will come into the light." They say in unicen.
The dark clouds outside clears as the sun beams onto the Judges seat.
"Are you sure the light will come out of the dark?" The bartender says menacingly as he walks and stands in-between what Nathan can see and his blind eye.
"What do you mean?" as he struggles to see him.
"You have to realize it's a battle what came first, is the first thing on their mind which is your guilty, just like how darkness was there before light."
"But You can't say that justice is wrong!" Andrea says as she stands Infront of Nathan.
"You think Justice will provail? You think it's as clear as Night and day? This room is justice, whatever side wins becomes Justice, you can't deny it." The bartender says his calm voice sounding colder and more heartless than before.
"Shut it, who are you anyway?" Andrea asks.
"He's the bartender who helped me get the security footage." Nathan defends the Bartender.
"Yeah and I heard you got into a confrontation in the room too, what happened?" The bartender asks Nathan.
"Well your Intel that the security was working only night shifts was wrong, and I ended up fighting for my life and I... Ended up crippling the guard..." Nathan admits his voice full of remorse and regret.
"I'm sorry bro, I had the shifts wrong I guess. Again I'm really sorry this happened to you." The bartender says this in a way it almost sounds like he doesn't mean it.
"There's something off about him..." Nathan thinks as he can't see properly at all.
"I hope you get what you deserve bro." The bartender winks as he bumps past Nathan on his blindside.
The bartender walks into the courtroom as the Judge sits in his chair.
"All rise."
Everyone rises to attention.
"You may be seated, Prosecution your opening statement." The Judge says in a neutral tone.
"Your honor, the defendant has shown blatant signs of murderous intentions, he has committed first degree murder, trespassing on private property, Grand Theft Auto and in possession of a unlicensed firearm. And less I forget the assault he committed that lead to a man being crippled for life. We as the state want Nathan Sanders to be put away for him crimes or even face the Death penalty for his atrocities." The state lawyer says with his face covered in half light while other half isn't visible from the darkness.
"Defendant ,what do you plea?" The Judge says looking at Nathan.
"Not Guilty." Nathan says his voice calm and collected.
"Then may this trail begin, of Nathan Vs the state on this day 2 November 2024." The Judge says as he pulls out the case file and the trial has begun.
"Your first witness prosecutor." The Judge says.
"We call Anita Catling." The news reporter comes to the stand her eyes still red and puffy from mourning Joseph's death.
"Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but truth so help you God?" The Judge tells her.
"I do." She says as she collects herself ready to answer the prosecutor.
"Miss Catling for the record, you are Joseph Catling's daughter, am I correct?" He says in a non assertive way because of how vulnerable she is.
"Yes I'm his only daughter, and unfortunately I've lost my mother as well so I'm the only one left of my family..." She reveals why she's so devastated.
"I am sorry to hear that, I know this is probably a very traumatic experience for you, but you've got to answer my question and prove our statement that Nathan is guilty." The prosecutor says almost like he's convincing her.
"Objection he is cohering the witness!" Nathan's lawyer says calling out this bull shit.
"Sustained. Prosecutor no more buttering up the witness, we will handle this fairly and follow the rules." The Judge showing no bias as his face is fully covered in the light.
"I apologize your honor. I will reframe from that and get straight to why we came here. Anita Catling, what is your role in all of this, so that your claims are valid." The prosecution says in a calm neutral tone.
"I have a masters degree in journalism, I'm the main news reporter of the daily news, I was the reporter that covered Nathan's crimes one victim at a time. And I even saw..." Her voice cracks and she couldn't bring herself to continue.
"It's okay miss, take your time." The Judge says comforting her.
"Thank you your honor. I covered the case of him killing my father Joseph Catling in cold blood." She says tears falling from her eyes ruining her make up as she stares into Nathan's eye.
"So you believe Nathan Sanders killed Joseph?" The prosecutor says.
"Yes, I don't have a single doubt in my mind that he killed him!!" She says pointing at Nathan.
"No more questions your honor." The prosecutor smiles as he walks down his full face is covered in darkness.
"Defense , the witness is yours." The Judge says as he finishes writing on his file.
"Thank you your honor, Anita..." He says as he stands up and walks to the stand."You say Nathan killed your father am I right?" He says calmly.
"Yes." She says still rilled up.
"But do you have the evidence to support that?" The Lawyer says confidently.
"Yes! He was seen leaving the crime scene with blood on his shirt and you can as anyone that was there on the street!" She desperately says.
"But then why when they actually investigated the gun and his wound it shows that he killed himself, so don't think your use of word of mouth is valid here, anyone can make that rumor, it's easy to spread a lie than to spread the truth." He says dis valuing her testimony.
The jury is in shock to the Lawyers straight shooting attitude.
"Well... Well..." she's left flustered on the stand.
"No more questions your honor." He smiles confidently as he winks at the prosecutor. "It's not gonna be that easy."
"Don't worry we are just getting started." The prosecutor says his confidence unshaken.
"Your first witness, Defendant." The Judge says to Nathan's lawyer.
"We call Officer Jameson Wilson to the stand." Nathan's lawyer says.
Officer Jameson walks to the stand.
"Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but truth so help you God?" The Judge again says.
"I swear." He puts his hand on his badge as he say it.
"Defendant , the witness is yours." The Judge says handing it over to Nathan's Lawyer.
"Thank you your honor, Officer Jameson for the record can you tell the court your credentials and involvement in this case." He says calmly.
"I am a police officer at NOPD I'm the Father of Emily Wilson the person at the center of all this. I am also the officer that took Nathan in after he handed himself in and I took his statement." Officer Jameson says with honesty in his voice.
"Do you believe Nathan Killed Your Daughter?" Nathan's lawyer says getting straight to the point.
"No , I don't think he did it, in my 10 years of detective and police work I know when a man Is guilty by how they act and Nathan isn't like them." Officer Jameson kindly says.
"Do you have proof of what you mean because just like with Anita we can't just use presumption or word of mouth." The lawyer says making sure that he practices what he preaches.
"Yes, when I took his statement did a polygraph test to see if he committed the crimes and the result if I may show the court." He says to the Judge.
"I'll allow it." The Judge takes information Officer Jameson gave him.
"These paper show that Nathan is telling the truth and never to harm anyone he was just a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time." Nathan's lawyer says proving Nathan's claim of not guilty as true. "No further questions your honour."
He close.
"Alright Prosecutor the witness is yours." The Judge says as he returns the information to Officer Jameson.
"Thank you your honor, Officer Jameson, who else was with you in the station?" The prosecutor asks with his own angle at this.
"Most other officers where still out on the chase of Nathan when he arrived." He says calmly.
"So you were the only one there? You were the only officer left there? How convenient... How do we know these polygraph tests are true? Are you a qualified to use the polygraph?" He desperately tries to paint Jameson in a bad light.
"I have a aquired a license to use polygraphs in my 10 years, I have the right to use it and that information is not tampered." Officer Jameson keeps a calm expression.
The Jury looks in concern to the prosecutor.
"So your defending him... The man that murdered your daughter after he had his way with her?" He starts shooting low blows.
"Objection! Prosecution is badgering the witness." Nathan's lawyer yet again shuts down the prosecutors low tactics.
"Sustained. Prosecutor, I've had enough of you hitting below the belt, you will obey this court like the defendant or I will hold you in contempt!" The Judge outbursts at the prosecutor.
"I apologize your honor." He bows. "I have no further questions." The prosecutor sits recollecting his composure.
"I'm not losing this case!" The prosecutor thinks. "I'm not letting dirty scum like Nathan roam the streets! I have a daughter I have to protect from men like him that take advantage of woman. I won't let him win!!" The prosecutor eyes burn bright full of self righteous conviction.
"Prosecution your next witness." The Judge calms himself and retains his neutral tone.
"I call Andrea Sanders to the stand." The prosecutor makes another suspicious low blow.
"No, he shouldn't-" Nathan almost outbursts.
But his lawyer calms him.
"You can't lose your composure or we'll lose the case, she can handle it you know her." They both look at Andrea sitting at the stand.
"Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but truth so help you God? You know you can't lie or try to overt the trust I'll put you in contempt okay?" The Judge says to make sure Andrea does have a bias for Nathan.
"I swear to tell the whole truth sir." She says formally keeps a calm face.
"The witness is yours prosecution, you better watch your words if you step out of line one more time I'll put you in contempt and have a new lawyer represent the state." The Judge makes his statement clear.
"Yes your honor. He stands up remaining his cool.
"Andrea Sanders, where were you the night of Emily's murder?" He asks a good question.
"I was working late and Nathan was out with his friend George having a boys night. When I got home I crashed on the couch and Nathan slept upstairs in the bedroom when it happened." She says filling in the gaps of her whereabouts.
"And you in a none bias opinion think Nathan who slept with a hooker and killed her to hide it from you?" He tries to spin his own narrative.
"No, he didn't do that!" Andrea suddenly outbursts fro her Bipolar.
"Oh your sure about that? How can you know if he really killed her or not?" He gaslights Andrea further.
"Nathan isn't the type of guy to do that, he couldn't hurt a fly, look at him." Her anger suddenly changes to tears as she points to Nathan and his injuries. "He's lost a damn eye for God's sake he couldn't hurt someone to save his life, so do you think he could kill those people?" Her emotions run out of control.
"You see your honor this witness, suffers from a mental disorder so her testimony is invalid because as you can see... She's emotionally unstable." The prosecution brings a valid point.
"But your honor!" Andrea desperately tries to plea with him.
"He has a point miss, you can step down from the stand." He dismisses Andrea.
The jury especially the feminists smile at the prosecutor for getting Andrea's claim dismissed.
"I'm sorry babe I couldn't prove your case." She walks past Nathan in shame.
But Nathan grabs her hand. "It's okay we've still got a shot. My testimony should put this to an end." He reassures.
"I love you." She says with a adorable smile.
"I love you too." He says his one eye looking at her for one last time.
"Before the last three testimonies we'll have a small 10 minute break." The Judge declares as he hits the mallet.
Everyone disperses out of the court room.
Nathan once again bumps into the Bartender.
"Sorry bro" The bartender says completely stand in Nathan's blind side.
"Oh it's okay, it's probably coz of my eye but I'm struggling to see you bro." He tries to brush it off but the bartender is still not fully visible to Nathan.
"I hope you know... I'm not gonna hold back on that podium because of our friendship." He says coldly as he faces Nathan the light from outside shines on his back but his face completely disguised in darkness.
"What do you mean?" Nathan says as he instinctively puts his arm Infront of Andrea.
"You'll see soon enough..." the bartender mysteriously fades to the shadows.
"That guy is serious trouble." Andrea says as she grips Nathan's arm.
"I definitely get the feeling he's a two faced asshole... But what the hell did he mean?" Nathan wonders as he looks on and sees someone he didn't want to see.
"You!" The crippled security guard in his wheelchair moves towards Nathan.
Both Nathan and Andrea gasp as they look at him.
"What you looking at punk! You caused this! You caused me to never walk again! I swear on my child's life you will pay for this!" The guard says as he his eyes swell up in tears "You know what it feels like to see your kid running around and you run with them? Your kid asking you to play and you can't? You did this to me!! And I will make sure you rote in hell from my testimony!" The guard says as he wheels away with his wife and baby boy.
"I never meant for it to end like this..." Nathan says as he realizes how much he just changed that man's life. "I never meant to hurt him or Anita, I never meant for any of this. How am I gonna have peace? This is gonna haunt me for the rest of my life..." he says as he grits his teeth crying.
Andrea tightly hugs him.
"It's okay... It's going to be okay." Andrea says comforting Nathan's tears.
"I believe you babe... You've always been my light in the darkness, my Northern Star in my uncertainty. I'll hold you tight and I wish I could never let go." He says as he rest his head on top of Andrea's.
The caterpillar finds itself covered in parasites that feed off of it. But the butterfly slowly eats the parasites.
The security of the court calls everyone in.
"It's time." Andrea says as she grips Nathan's arm.
"I know but I promise I'll be back." Nathan puts his hand on Andrea's stomach. "And we'll live our happily ever after." He shine a bright smile at Andrea.
Andrea smiles back as they walk back into the court.
"All be seated we will be continuing the trial of Nathan Sanders Vs the state. And our next testimony will be from our defendant himself. Nathan Sanders come to the stand."
Nathan stands and walks to the podium.
"Nathan do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?" The Judge asks. "You have to remember this is your only time to prove to the court your side of the story." The Judge says in a neutral tone.
"Yes sir." Nathan says holding his right hand up.
"Defendant the witness is yours." The Judge says passing it to Nathan's lawyer.
"Nathan, now being forced to tell the truth, did you commit the crimes your being charged of?" Nathan's lawyer starts with a good question.
"No, not all of them, the only person I killed was an addict in self defense he was robbing me with a knife and in the desperate fight I ended up stabbing him in the moment, I tried so hard to talk it out but that man refused to listen. Joseph unfortunately couldn't handle his life, he told me how he lost everything and everyone turned there backs on him that he was in my exact shoes charged for crime he didn't commit and facing an unfair system, the cycle is never going to end." Nathan further explains everything that's happened until the prison incident.
The jury looks at Nathan with disgust not listening to a single thing he has to say.
"No further questions your honor." Nathan's lawyer closes.
"Prosecution the witness is yours." The Judge hands it over the prosecutor.
"Thank you your honor, so Mr Sanders, what happened to your eye?" He says with the most cocky smile on his face.
"I hit by a guy in the holding cell and he dislocated it badly, I might never see out my left eye again." Nathan says honestly not trying to gain sympathy.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but you got what was coming to for all that you've done." The prosecutor says bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Nathan says confused.
"Objection there's no relevance in this line of questioning." Nathan's lawyer says.
"Sustained, prosecution avoid your tone of blaming everything on him, it isn't right to badger someone like that. Change your line of questioning or where gonna change the state lawyer." He threatens making sure Nathan is treated fairly on the stand.
"Sorry your honor, I'll rephrase my questioning. Nathan how do you know that Emily killed herself? Do you have any form of proof?" The prosecution moves to a good question.
"I do have evidence, we have retrieved the call logs that are Emily's suicide note on her phone." Nathan pulls out the phone.
"Oh interesting where did you find that?" He says in a sly way.
"It was right next to her body when she... And she left it without a password specifically for us to find it." Nathan shows the Prosecution and the Jury.
"But... That's police evidence, you interfered with a crime scene for your own evidence?" The prosecutor turns the tables on Nathan.
"No, the police didn't find this in there files in the time I left the house, they weren't going to use this information." Nathan says making a good point.
"So you don't believe in our police system? You want to take manners into your own hands right?" The Prosecution twists Nathan's words.
"No that's not what I'm saying, your literally twisting my words to make me the bad guy. Your honor how is that fair?" Nathan's composure is starting to break.
Both Andrea and his lawyer signal that he should calm down.
"Okay, let's put it like this prosecution, why do you want to make me the bad guy even though we literally have proof I didn't do this, why are you denying the facts? Are you trying to ensure I go to jail for a crime I didn't commit? Are You trying to take matters into your own hands?" Nathan calms and counters the Prosecutions claim.
"No further questions..." the prosecutor walks down unhappy from how it turned out.
"Nathan you may walk from the podium. Defendant do you anymore witnesses?" The Judge asks Nathan's lawyer.
"No your honor." The defendant has none left.
"Prosecution do you still have witness or can we move to Jury deliberation?" The Judge asks.
"I still have two more important witnesses, they are both eye witnesses of Nathan in action." The prosecutor says ominously.
"The call your next witness." The Judge says.
"I call Officer Hendricks to the stand." He calls the crippled security guard to the stand.
"Officer do swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth So help you God?" He says showing respect to him.
"I swear your honor." He says his left hand on his badge.
"He's the same guy acting all high and mighty when he threatened me and held a gun to my head abusing his power." Nathan thinks as he grits his teeth in anger as he remembers how this man who's acting righteous on the podium is corrupt scum.
The guard is basking in the light while his back is covered in complete darkness.
"Prose