Chapter 545 First Trial (5) Intense Recess
Suddenly being called out, Dominic's face immediately turned grim.
He shot a cold look at Preston, who was passionately saying, "That night at the dinner, a bunch of people from the State Office were there. By the end, a lot of them were drunk. Sure, the video shows Juliana and Alaric meeting on the night she died. But it doesn't prove that no one else saw Juliana. It also doesn't rule out the chance that someone else took her away off-camera. So, you can't just say Juliana's rape or even her suicide is tied to Alaric!"
Felix shot back, "So, by your logic, who is connected to Juliana's death? Who's most likely to have raped her?"
"In court, we need evidence. I can't say who's connected to Juliana's death because I don't have proof. Just like you don't have proof that Juliana's rape is tied to Alaric. So, what gives you the right to accuse Alaric of raping Juliana?" Preston said firmly.
Felix was about to counter when Preston continued, "If you insist on my reasoning, I could also say it was Dominic who did it."
The courtroom erupted.
Dominic's face changed instantly, and Gavin's expression shifted when he heard Preston's words.
Gavin couldn't help but glance at Dominic in the audience, clearly watching his reaction.
Preston went on, "Mr. Murphy keeps saying Alaric is promiscuous, so he would casually sleep with women, even raping Juliana. Well, Dominic is also promiscuous. He and Cecilia couldn't have their wedding because he cheated! So, why must the culprit be Alaric and not Dominic? Dominic was there that night too; he could also be involved with Juliana! And a key point, Dominic's affair back then was with Isadora, Cecilia's cousin. According to Mr. Murphy's logic, if there's one mistake, there will be many. Doesn't that make Dominic more suspicious? If he could sleep with Isadora, he could also rape Juliana. Anyway, Dominic has an inexplicable obsession with the Lockhart family. It's only natural that he would be entangled with the Lockhart family!"
"I object!" Felix was agitated. "I disagree with Mr. Collins's logic. His attempt to clear Alaric's name is simply absurd. Dominic has nothing to do with Juliana's case, yet he is being used to clear Alaric's suspicion!"
"Objection sustained!" Gavin ruled. "Mr. Collins, watch your words. If you keep up with such illogical arguments, your defense qualification will be revoked!"
Preston took a deep breath and respectfully said, "Your Honor, I'm just stating facts according to Mr. Murphy's logic. If you and Mr. Murphy think I'm illogical, then why can Mr. Murphy use this logic to determine Alaric's guilt? Isn't this a double standard?"
Felix's face turned dark, clearly at a loss for words.
Gavin also couldn't openly show bias towards the prosecution in front of everyone.
Preston's argument indeed had a significant impact.
Gavin banged the gavel and, at Dominic's signal, said, "Due to the loss of control by both lawyers, I declare a ten-minute recess!"
Gavin left the courtroom, and things got a bit chaotic.
Dominic's face was like thunder.
Octavia, sitting next to him, couldn't help but say, "I didn't think Preston had it in him!"
"No matter how good he is, if they can't prove Alaric's innocence, this case is gonna get messy. And when that happens, it's up to the judge. No matter how slick Alaric's lawyer is, he can't sway the verdict!" Dominic said through gritted teeth.
Octavia felt a bit more at ease. "Anyway, Gavin's on our side."
"Yeah," Dominic nodded.
"Once Alaric's locked up, I'm gonna make Cecilia pay," Octavia said coldly.
Thinking of Cecilia's recent arrogance, Octavia wanted to crush her.
"Let's talk about it later," Dominic signaled Octavia to lower her voice.
Octavia nodded, showing a cautious expression.
Ten minutes later, the court reconvened. Gavin returned to his seat and announced the trial was back on.
Felix once again broke down the case, using evidence, witnesses, and logical reasoning to pin it on Alaric.
When it was the defense's turn, Preston said, "Alaric isn't in good physical and mental condition and requests a recess."
Gavin's face darkened.
"Please, Your Honor, allow it," Preston insisted.
Gavin glanced at Dominic, who clearly wanted an immediate verdict.
Moreover, once sentenced, there would be no chance for an appeal.
What was Alaric up to now?
Just as Gavin was about to speak, Alaric suddenly collapsed to the ground.
The scene instantly became chaotic. Cecilia stood up in panic, and others were thrown into disarray by his collapse.
"Order," Gavin banged the gavel. "Send Alaric to the hospital immediately. This case will be adjourned and rescheduled!"
Court security quickly came over to help Alaric up.
"All rise," Gavin stood up and said, "Court is adjourned!"
With that, Gavin left first, and the others had no choice but to follow suit.
Cecilia watched as Alaric was roughly carried away.
"Why is Alaric so weak?" Seraphina was also frightened, not expecting Alaric to collapse on the spot.
"Cecilia," Arabella approached, extremely worried. "Last time, I heard from Cassius that you saw Alaric. How did his health get so bad? He never even had a cold, so how could he collapse?"
Cecilia's gaze followed the departing figure before she responded, "I don't know either." Her tone was somewhat indifferent.
Just as Arabella was about to say something, Cecilia had already turned and walked away.
Seraphina was a bit stunned.
Wasn't Cecilia being too cold to her?
She paused and quickly followed Cecilia.
Cecilia and her group left.
Not far away, Octavia approached Arabella, having clearly overheard the conversation between Cecilia and Arabella. With a sarcastic tone, she said, "Cecilia probably doesn't want to have any more contact with Alaric, right? Don't you think so, Mrs. Whitaker?"
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