When Betrayal Backfires

d with the low hum of anticipation. Mr. Russo sat at our table, lo

you wearing a live lavalier microphone. It connects directly to the court's recording system. It helps m

course. "Is that

small black mic to her lapel myself. "Don't worry, it only picks up sound

choice bu

e opening statements and the initial witnesses wit

y Johns to the stand to introduce and verify the defendan

handle such a crucial piece of evidence. The opposing counsel lo

aky legs. She was sworn in. I handed he

you please identify these

r. Russo's corporate and personal accounts fo

, her voice faltered. She fumbled with the pages, her han

ey would, the def

y shouted, rising to his feet.

om erupted

r! On what grounds do you make su

reviewed the initial discovery and found significant discrepancies. We believe the do

irty-minute recess. I want both sets of documents and

walked back to the counsel table where Molly was having a full-blown p

desperate whisper, forgetting completely ab

"I told Russo to create a clean fake! I checked it myse

the judge, having returned to the bench early, turned on the courtroom's audio syst

a clean fake! ...Why did

The defense table stared, mouths agape. The c

ask of cold fury. He sta

tempt of court and evidence tampering. Ms. Johns, you are

ap had