Chapter 15 Chapter Twelve

Massachusetts, Boston Wednesday, June 7, 2006 3:25 in the afternoon Jack turned around.He really wanted to see how this frivolous young woman would look like an abandoned wife, this kind of thought made him faintly feel that he was a bit lustful.Her testimony record is very vivid, and Jack believes that her testimony in court must be a good show. Lian Na came out from the main entrance of the court, and strode forward along the central aisle of the court without any hesitation.Her outfit wasn't as sexy as Craig described it, but a demure dark blue pantsuit with a white shirt buttoned all the way to the neck.Jack thought to himself, it must be Tony.Fasano advised her to wear it this way.The only thing that shows her usual style is that she wears a pair of super high heels on her feet, which makes her walk a little unsteady.

Even though the woman was well-dressed, Jack quickly figured out what attracted Craig to her.There is nothing special about her facial features. Her grass-yellow hair looks like it has been dyed, and the roots are still dark.But her skin was impeccable and radiant.She symbolizes unscrupulous youth and is sexy. Lian Na shook her head lively when she walked through the partition between the trial area and the auditorium area.She knew she was the center of attention at the moment.She enjoys this feeling very much. Jack stole a glance in Alexis' direction.Her face was as expressionless as a stone statue, her lips were tightly shut, showing a determined look.Jack realizes she's pumping himself up for Lena's testimony.He felt that this was a good self-protection strategy, especially after reading Lianna's evidence collection records.

Lianna pointed her right hand to the sky, listening to the court clerk read the oath.Can you swear to tell the truth and tell no lies? I swear, Lianna said in a slightly nasal voice.She gave the judge a modest look as she walked into the witness stand, her mascara-laden lashes looking a little heavy. Tony walked up to the podium unhurriedly, sorted out his notes, then stepped on the brass railing of the podium with his tasseled sandals as usual, and began to ask questions.He begins by asking questions to briefly describe Lena's life: where she was born (Revere, MA), where she went to high school (Revere, MA), where she currently lives (Revere, MA) , Revere).He also asked Lianna in Craig.Dr. Berman's clinic for how long (over a year) and where she takes evening classes three times a week (Bunker Hill Community College).

Lianna answered these irrelevant questions one by one, and Jack had more opportunities to observe her.He noticed that her accent was similar to Tony's.It seemed to him both a Boston accent and a Brooklyn accent.Jack also found in Lianna many of the character traits that Craig had described: opinionated, energetic, and willful.As for being short-tempered and fickle, he hasn't discovered it yet. Next up is a discussion about you and your boss, Craig.Dr. Bowman's connection, Tony said. No, Randolph said.No correlation. Lawyers from both sides, please approach the bench!ordered Judge Davidson, angrily.

Randolph complied at once.Tony motioned for Lianna to stand by, and then followed. Judge Davidson pointed his reading glasses at Tony the way someone might frighten a dog with a rolled-up newspaper.Best not to put on airs with me, and I want you to reassure me that this social scandal is indeed related to the plaintiff's court investigation.Otherwise we will face a mistrial and most likely a direct ruling in favor of the defendant. Definitely related.Witnesses will testify that, based on her relationship with Dr. Berman and the arrangements for the night of the murder, Dr. Berman never considered having a relationship with Patience.Stanhope meets at the hospital.

All right.I'm going to give you a lot of freedom and I hope you don't embarrass yourself.I have permitted similar social testimony before, on the grounds that its probative value outweighs its judgmental value.I now give you permission to continue cross-examining witnesses on the same grounds.Judge Davidson waved his reading glasses again in Randolph's direction.Defendant's attorney, I will give you greater latitude in cross-examination, and Mr. Fasano will agree.In this framework, I hope to be able to speed things up.The two of you keep opposing each other, and I'm getting annoyed by you.Understand?

Understood, Your Honor, the lawyers of both sides answered in unison.Then the two turned around and went back to their original places. No objection, Judge Davidson said aloud, for the court reporter to hear.Questioning of Ms Leitner can continue. Ms. Lightner, Tony said.Can you tell the court what your relationship is to Dr. Berman? certainly.In the beginning I was an ordinary employee.But about a year ago, I could feel that Dr. Berman had a crush on me.Do you get me? I think I can understand, Tony replied.You go on. I felt a little awkward at first because I knew he was married and had kids.But one night when I worked overtime, he came to the medical records room where I worked to chat with me.In this way, we slowly started dating.I thought it was okay because I found out later that he had left home and moved to an apartment in Boston.

Is it a platonic relationship? Of course not!He is really like a wolf and a tiger.Our relationship is brutal.We also had a session on the examination table in the clinic one afternoon.He said that his wife didn't like sex life, and she put on a lot of fat after giving birth, and she couldn't lose it.I feel that he is very horny and demanding, so I try to satisfy him as much as possible.This has brought me a lot of benefits! That's too much, Your Honor," Randolph said, rising to his feet. Sit down, Mr. Bingham, said Judge Davidson angrily.His gaze shot to Tony over the top of his reading glasses.Mr. Fasano, it's time to talk about relevance. You better be convincing enough.

Alright, Your Honor, Tony said and quickly returned to the plaintiff's table, took a sip of water, then licked his lips with his tongue, as if they were very dry, and then returned to the podium to sort out the materials. There were buzzing whispers from the auditorium, and everyone was looking forward to it.Jurors were also more focused than usual, and some leaned forward.Content with color is always exciting. Jack stalked Alexis out of the corner of his eye again.She didn't move, her expression was still serious.He felt a tender brother-sister feeling rippling in his chest.Hopefully her training in psychology will provide her with some kind of self-preservation, the situation is so humiliating.

Miss Lightner, Tony spoke.On the evening of September 8, 2005, you were in Dr. Berman's apartment in Boston, where you were living. Yes.I had just moved out of that piggyhouse in Somerville at the time because the landlord was a jerk. Judge Davidson turned to Lianna and said, please restrain yourself and just answer the questions, and don't make random comments. Yes, Your Honor, Lianna agreed meekly, her eyelashes flickering. Can you tell the jury in your own words what you and Dr. Berman were doing that night? Our plan and reality are two different things.We had planned to go to a concert at the concert hall.Craig, I mean Dr. Berman, was trying to make up for lost time in his youth, to be a man of many talents.He bought me a beautiful pink evening dress with a neckline here.With her finger she traced a deep arc along half of her chest.We are both very excited.I mean, of course the music is good, but for the two of us, getting in is the best part.Mr. Berman bought season tickets, and the seats were very forward.Walking down the center aisle felt like I was performing on stage, so he wanted me to look sexy.

It sounds like Dr. Berman enjoys showing you off. Almost, Lianna said.I don't think so.It was fun anyway. But if you want to do that, you have to be there on time, maybe a little earlier. yes!It's a different feeling if you go late and sometimes you have to wait until halftime to sit down. What happened on September 8, 2005? We are busy getting ready to go.At this time Dr. Berman's cell phone rang. I guess it's Jordan.Stanhope, Tony said. It's him.This meant that plans for the evening fell through, as Dr. Berman decided he had to go out. Did you stay in the apartment when Dr. Berman was out? no.Dr. Berman asked me to go with me.He said if it was a false alarm we could go to the concert straight from the Stanhope's.He said the Stanhopes were not too far from the concert hall. Meaning it's closer than Newton Memorial Hospital. No, Randolph said.Lack of evidence.Witnesses did not mention Newton Memorial Hospital. The dissent was valid, and Judge Davidson's voice was tinged with weariness.Jury Not Accepted!The trial continues. Miss Lightner, Tony said in a drawn out voice, and licked his lips out of habit.On the way to the Stanhope's, did Dr. Bowman say anything to Patience?What was Stanhope's condition like?Did he feel that this outpatient clinic was a false alarm? No, Randolph said.hearsay evidence. The objection stands, Justice Davidson said with a sigh.Witnesses were limited to stating exact comments of Dr. Berman and were not required to express their own views on his line of thought. I repeat, Tony said, did Dr. Berman say he thought PatienceHow is Stanhope? Lianna looked up at the judge.I am confused by you guys.He asked me questions and you told me not to answer them. I did not keep you from answering, my dear, said Judge Davidson.I'm telling you not to try to guess what Dr. Berman was thinking at the time.He will tell us this himself.Mr. Fasano is asking you about Dr. Berman's specific comments on Patience's condition. Well, Lianna finally understood.He said it was true this time, and he was terrified. It means Patience.Stanhope was really sick this time. Yes. Did he say anything to Patience?What do PP patients like Stanhope, that is, problem patients, think? Were you in the car that night? Yes. He said she was a hypochondriac he couldn't stand.He said that to him a hypochondriac is the same as a pretender.The reason why I remember is because I looked up the word after the fact.It refers to someone pretending to be sick in order to get what they want.Pretty nasty. I also look up the dictionary for the word pretender, which is very commendable.What motivated you to do this? I am studying to become a medical laboratory technician or nurse assistant.I have to know the jargon. About him to Patience.Stanhope's opinion, did Dr. Berman say anything else? Said!Lianna smirked as she spoke, expressing her emphasis. Can you tell the jury when this happened? It was the night he got the summons.We were at the LA Health Club. What did he say? The point is that he didn't say anything.I mean, you won't believe it, he didn't even say anything that day. Explain to the jury what you mean by that. Well, it's not easy to memorize all of such a fiery speech.He said he hated her because she was driving everyone, including herself, crazy.Because she would only pester him about bowel movements, and sometimes she would show him the excrement.Because she never obeyed the doctor's orders.He said that she was a hypochondriac, not worthy of being a wife at all, and dragged her even if she was not dead.Called her a complete whore and kept making him hold her hand and listen to her whining.He said her death was good for everyone, including herself. Wow!Tony said, pretending to be terrified when hearing this testimony for the first time.I think you must have felt that PatienceStanhope was dead, and he was happy. No, Randolph said.Leading inquiries. The objection stood, Justice Davidson said.The jury rejected it. What do you think of Dr. Berman's vehement speech? I think she died and he was happy. Since you said it was a heated speech, you must also know that Dr. Berman was very anxious at the time.Did he make any comments about his being charged?Is there any suggestion that his performance and decision-making process will be challenged in court? Said.He finds it incredible, Jordan.Stanhope, the bastard freak, actually sued him, claiming forfeiture of conjugal rights.He said he couldn't believe Mr. Stanhope wanted to have sex with this disgusting bitch. Thank you, Miss Leitner, Tony said, packing up the papers strewn across the platform.Questions are over. Jack glanced at Alexis again.This time, the eyes of the two met.Well, she whispered, what could Craig expect?It's just digging its own grave.The lethality of Lian Na's testimony is about the same as I imagined.We can only hope that your autopsy finds something new. Maybe Randolph can recover a little when he cross-examines.Don't forget, the defense's court investigation hasn't started yet. I did not forget.I just want to be realistic and think about it from a juror's point of view.The outlook is grim.The plaintiffs' testimony was convincing and painted Craig as a different person entirely.He did do something wrong, but his attitude towards patients was absolutely fine. You're right, it's not looking good, Jack said.