The Laura takes the Stand

Day 75

Judge Sylvia looked at Sam. “Mr. Stitt, proceed.”

“Thank you your honor. I call Laura Durin to the stand.”

Mr. Goldstine was up. “Objection. This witness has no place here. She is not a plaintiff, a defendant, or an expert witness.”

Sam responded. “Your honor. This witness brings background. I will qualify her later with experts that will attest her contentions.”

“Overruled. The jury is instructed to not treat her testimony as expert. Any medical or technical information she gives must be verified.”

When she was called Laura momentarily bowed her head. “God. I’m really scared. Please help me. I don’t want to screw this up.” Laura took the stand wearing her temporary prosthesis and using one crutch. The metal pole showed below her skirt. Sam guided her as she told of her suspicions, her amputation and how she came to contact Sam. Sam presented as exhibits the hospital statistics as she talked. Finally Sam said, “Thank you Laura. Your witness.”

Dave Goldstine got up slowly and walked toward Laura. She felt her throat tighten more as he took each step. She jumped perceptibly when he spoke. “Laura, can I call you that.”

Laura’s mind raced. The voice of her seventh grade English teacher came back to her and she almost blurted out, “Use may for permission, can for ability.” Without thinking she smiled and said, “I would prefer Miss Duran if you don’t mind. We aren’t exactly close friends. Would you want me to call you by your first name?” It was what her parents had taught her, to show proper respect to others. Now under stress that basic teaching and the words of her teacher came to the front of her mind.

There were bursts of laughter, some from the jury. Sam nearly fell off his chair. He had never expected Laura to come out fighting. When he looked up Laura’s apprehensive look was gone. It had been replaced by a confident and almost defiant smile. Dave Goldstine was silent for nearly a half minute. His first strategy, to trick her into becoming uncertain in her testimony had obviously just failed. He didn’t know it but his misuse of grammar had diminished him in her eyes. His trying to be familiar made her almost despise him. And he was not sure what had gone wrong. Questioning her would be like walking through a mine field and there were mines there. He had just stepped on one and it had gone off and caused him pain. He still didn’t know what the mines looked like so he could avoid them.