Free Violent Crimes by Phillip Margolin Page A

wanted an answer to in a disinterested tone. Amanda struck out with the first four witnesses before striking pay dirt when Harold Fernandez took the stand. After several general questions about Fernandez’s training and years on the force, Amanda led the officer into the area in which she was really interested.
    â€œWhere were you in relation to Detectives Nowicki and Hotchkiss prior to entering Mr. Beatty’s house, Officer Fernandez?”
    â€œWe were on the front porch. Detective Nowicki was pressed against the wall next to the left side of the door if you were facing the door. I was in the same position but on the right side of the door and Detective Hotchkiss was next to me.”
    â€œSo you were between the two detectives?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIf Detective Hotchkiss wanted to say something to Detective Nowicki he would have to talk past you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œPlease tell the judge what Detective Hotchkiss said to Detective Nowicki and what Detective Nowicki said to Detective Hotchkiss just before entry was made,” Amanda said. Then she held her breath.
    â€œWe were getting ready to go in when Detective Hotchkiss said something about there being a problem with the affidavit for the search warrant, something about one of the dates.”
    â€œWas he specific about which date?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAnd what did Detective Nowicki say to Detective Hotchkiss?”
    â€œHe said, ‘Not now,’ because we were ready to go in.”
    â€œWas there any more conversation about the affidavit?”
    â€œNo. Detective Nowicki knocked and we entered and that was that.”
    â€œMy next witness will be Detective Alan Hotchkiss, Your Honor.”
    Moments later, the detective entered the courtroom, took the oath, and sat in the witness box. Amanda threw Hotchkiss a series of softballs before easing into the meat of her examination.
    â€œThis is not the first time you’ve been involved in a case in which Mr. Beatty was a defendant, is it?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œJust a short time ago, Mr. Beatty was arrested because of a fight in the Lookout tavern, was he not?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIsn’t it true that you had more than a casual interest in that case?”
    â€œI investigated it.”
    â€œDo you remember a meeting in the office of Mr. Frederick at which he, you, and I were present?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI asked for a dismissal of the case because I believed that Mr. Beatty had acted in self-defense, did I not?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou vehemently opposed dismissing the case, didn’t you?”
    â€œI felt that your client had gone too far and used too much force.”
    â€œWhen I pointed out that Mr. Beatty was a decorated soldierwho had defended our country in combat, did you ask Mr. Frederick if he was buying ‘this John Wayne crap’?”
    â€œI may have said that.”
    â€œSo you had strong feelings about dismissing the case?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThis assault case was fairly recent, wasn’t it?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWould it be fair to say that the case is fresh in your mind?”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œAnd you had even fresher recollections about it on the evening of the search because the events were even closer to that date than they are to this day?”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œDetective Nowicki testified that you read the search warrant and the affidavit in support of it on the way to Mr. Beatty’s house. Is that correct?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid you notice anything odd in the affidavit?”
    â€œOdd?”
    â€œWas there anything in the affidavit that concerned you?”
    â€œI’m not sure what you mean,” Hotchkiss said, but it was obvious that he was stalling and the judge took a hard look at him.
    â€œMay I approach the witness, Your Honor?”
    â€œYes, Miss Jaffe.”
    Amanda walked to the witness box