False Accusations by Jacobson, Alan (great novels of all time .txt) 📕

that it would remain an indelible mark against Harding no matter what her attorney was able to accomplish in the coming days of trial.

CHAPTER 66

THE DAY FOLLOWING Stanton’s testimony, Hellman was in Department 12, participating in the trial that had started a couple of days ago. The judge had recessed early, and Hellman stopped in to see how Denton’s case was progressing. He arrived at the tail end of the day’s testimony pertaining to the rape accusation against Madison.

One of Denton’s last witnesses, who was on the stand when Hellman arrived, was Mary Bender, a police officer trained as a rape counselor. It was her job to meet with the victim upon presentation, and accompany her to the hospital to ensure that the appropriate evidence was properly secured and marked. She was well versed in trials, having testified in over one hundred rape cases as to the nature of the evidence obtained, the type of physical evidence one would expect to find on a victim, and the process by which the evidence was collected.

“So, Officer Bender, please tell the court what evidence one would expect to find following a rape,” Denton said.

She leaned forward and used a hand to comb her coarse ash blond locks behind her ears. “We’d find seminal constituents in or around the vagina of a rape victim. Physical findings such as bruises or bleeding confirm that a violent act occurred. Sometimes, the transfer of physical evidence, such as blood, semen, hairs, and fibers will occur between assailant and victim.

“Following the act, we take vaginal swabs, and sometimes oral and anal swabs as well. Pubic combings will be made to check for loose or foreign hairs. Saliva and blood samples are secured, and fingernail scrapings are taken to check for skin that the victim might have scratched from the assailant.”

“You’ve read the report of the investigating officers?”

“Yes, I have.”

“And was any of the physical evidence you mentioned a moment ago found in this complaint of rape brought by Ms. Harding?”

“No.”

“And why is that?”

“Because Ms. Harding did not come forward until five weeks after the alleged act.”

Denton walked back to the jury box, leaned on the railing, and faced his witness. “A moment ago, you mentioned a number of common items of evidence found in rape cases. Have you ever heard of phone calls made from an alleged assailant’s home being used as evidence of rape?”

“No.”

“What about fingerprints of the alleged assailant on the alleged victim’s belt?”

“In and of itself, I wouldn’t use that as evidence that a rape occurred. There are obviously a great many explanations for the presence of fingerprints on a belt buckle.”

“Objection,” interrupted Warwick. “Officer Bender is not an expert on what could or could not be considered evidence in a rape trial.”

Calvino looked over to Denton for his response. “Your Honor,” Denton said, turning away from his witness to face the judge, “Ms. Bender is a police officer with special training in rape cases. She often testifies as to the collection of evidence, and the relevance of each piece of that physical evidence. I believe she’s eminently qualified to comment—if not from a legal perspective, then from the perspective of a police officer trained in the investigation of rape.”

“Overruled, Mr. Warwick.”

Denton turned back to Bender. “In your opinion, officer, is there any evidence at all of rape in this case?”

“None. None whatsoever.”

“Thank you, officer,” Denton said as he turned to take his seat.

Calvino asked Warwick if his cross-examination could wait until tomorrow; receiving an affirmative response, court was convened for the day and the jury was dismissed.

As Denton packed his attaché, Hellman walked over. “Looking good.”

“Went well. But this is all slam-dunk stuff. This morning I brought on the two rape detectives—Coleman and Valentine.”

“Coleman and Valentine. I remember them,” Hellman said, shaking his head in a manner displaying dissatisfaction.

“Don’t knock them too hard, they did well today. They told how they followed up on all of their leads, and the fact that there was virtually nowhere to go because of the lack of evidence. No witnesses, no police report, no medical evidence. Straightforward stuff.” He snapped his briefcase shut. “The tough part comes when your guy takes the stand.”

“He’ll be ready,” Hellman said. “Any idea when you’ll need him?”

“Friday. Tell him to be ready for Friday.”

It was Madison who suggested he and Hellman meet for dinner a couple of nights later at Fifth Street Café. He had been unable to go near the place since his meeting with Harding a few months ago, but he thought a positive dining experience with his friend could help restore its status as his favorite restaurant.

Hellman scooped his escargot while Madison munched on his duck salad.

“Ronald Norling testified yesterday. He was a little rough around the edges, but he did well. Warwick couldn’t rattle him. At one point, when Warwick was trying to beat him down, Norling said, ‘Look, man, I’m just telling you what I saw and heard. She said she was going to get even, make him pay. Simple as that. I don’t know this guy Madison, and I don’t know that lady over there. I don’t care what happens to either of them. I’m just telling you how it was.’ Totally shut Warwick down. He had to back off.” Hellman chuckled. “Warwick then tried to attack his background, but the kid put him down again, telling him that he wasn’t a model citizen, and didn’t claim to be—he just saw what he saw. Nobody gave him anything for testifying, and he was missing time from his new job back East. So he told him, essentially, get out of my face. Great stuff.”

Madison was so mesmerized by what Hellman was saying that he had stopped eating. The main course came before he had finished his salad.

“Denton told me he also had a professional photographer testify that the photo Harding had taken of you and her was staged.”

“Yeah, but was he able to prove it?”

“The guy brought a couple of models into court