Gotham Memoirs: 4-5 The Second Trial

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It's finally the day of the second trial. Edmund and I stand in the dock, ready to fight once more.

Info

• Style: No dress up component
• Required: Vittorio Goodwill Lv. 7
• Rewards: 3,000 , 1 Reader's Coupons, 1 Gift Material, 1 Crafting Material

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

But how do I explain this to the jury?

• Explain
  • No change
• Keep mum
  • No change

Transcript

Expand for script.

• The Day of the Second Trial

• Clerk: Case of Steven Harris versus Gotham Time is in session. Judge Hobbes presiding. All rise.

• Judge: Prosecution, you may start your examination of the defendant.

• Robert Brown: Thank you, Your Honor. When did you start working at the Gotham Times, Miss Colvin?

• You: At the beginning of this year. I was hired by Mr. George Kane.

• Robert Brown: Prior to working at the Gotham Times, you were working with Sun News?

• You: Yes, sir.

• Robert Brown: Why did you leave Sun News?

• You: I... was forced to.

• Robert Brown: In other words, you were fired. Am I right?

• You: Yes, but I...

• Robert Brown: Your Honor, I would like to present to the jury the testimony of Martin Schulz, the Chief Editor of Sun News.

• Robert Brown: According to Mr. Schulz, Miss Colvin was fired from Sun News for reporting fake news.

• Loud murmurs fill the court.
• You: (Can't believe they got Martin to testify against me...)

• The judge bangs his gavel and calls for silence.
• Judge: How do you respond, Miss Colvin?

• You: Regarding Councilman Harris, every word I wrote in the article is true.

• Judge: Prosecution, you may continue.

• Brown flashes a smile that makes me feel uneasy.
• Robert Brown: What is your relationship with Edmund Davis, Miss Colvin?

• Upon hearing this, I can't help but glance at Edmund. He is staring at Brown with a frown on his face.
• You: Mr. Davis is my colleague, and the publisher of the Gotham Times.

• Robert Brown: Your Honor, I have in my hand the testimonies of the employees of the Gotham Times and Waterlife Hotel.

• Robert Brown: According to Mr. Burns, an employee of the Gotham Times, Miss Colvin and Mr. Davis share an intimate relationship. He often sees them together.

• Robert Brown: Mr. Howard, an employee of the Waterlife Hotel, reports that Miss Colvin and Mr. Davis often check into the Penthouse Suite together.

• Loud murmurs fill the court again.
• You: Davis and I are colleagues, and we work on the same stories. It's only natural that we're often seen together.

• Robert Brown: Based on what I know, reporters of Gotham Times work independently.

• Knowing that he has gained the upper hand, Brown's questions get more insistent and direct.
• Robert Brown: If you're working together, doesn't that hint at a special relationship?

• Edmund seems unperturbed by the prosecution's words. But he's still avoiding my gaze.
• You: No, it's normal for multiple people to work on the same story, especially if it happens to be a big one.

• Robert Brown: So, you and Mr. Davis work together to fabricate stories about Steven Harris?

• Defense Attorney: Objection! The prosecution is making groundless accusations!

• Judge: Objection sustained. The jury will disregard the prosecution's last question.

• Robert Brown: Let me rephrase. Is this article a result of the collaboration between you and Mr. Davis?

• You: Yes, Davis and I followed the leads and wrote the article together.

• Robert Brown: If that's the case, why is Edmund Davis listed as the sole author?

• You: My name is there too, I am credited as the editor.

• Robert Brown: But you said you wrote the article together with Mr. Davis. If you worked with him...

• RobertBrown: ...Why is Edmund Davis listed as the sole author? I may not be a reporter, but I do know a thing or two about credit and exposure.

• You: (Edmund did it to prevent me from getting into trouble.)

• You: (But how do I explain this to the jury?)

Explain

• You: Davis and I thought about this before we published the article.

• You: As the person involved is a man of high status and authority...

• You: Davis wanted to protect me by only listing his name on the article.

• I look at Edmund, only to find him look at the floor. He seems to be thinking about something.
• You: But as a responsible reporter, I should stand beside him, not behind him. This is why I'm here on the stand now.

• You: (Right... Why did Edmund change his attitude towards me all of a sudden?)

• You: (Is he keeping anything from me?)

Keep mum

• You: (The more I say, the more ammunition Brown will have...)

• You: (And I took an oath to speak only the truth in court.)

• I look at Edmund, hoping to gather strength and support.
• But seeing his indifference, I realise we are no longer on the same side.
• You: I... have nothing to add.

• With a triumphant look on his face, Brown continues his hammering.
• Robert Brown: Doesn't that speak volumes about the relationship between the two of you?

• Brown turns towards the jury.
• Robert Brown: Distinguished members of the jury, as evidenced by the testimonies given by the two Chief Editors, Miss Colvin is clearly not credible.

• Robert Brown: How could we believe someone who has reported fake news in two different newspapers? A leopard never changes its spots!

• Robert Brown: We're now in the midst of an election, and this is a critical period for Councilman Harris.

• Robert Brown: If the public believes these false reports, the councilman's career would go up in smoke.

• Robert Brown: A man of his talents will no longer be able to serve the city!

• Councilman Supporter: Troublemaker! Ignorant woman! Lock her up!

• A loyal supporter of Councilman Harris screams at me, and is immediately removed from the court by the judge.
• A feeling of helplessness envelops me. What can I do in front of a deceitful lawyer and dozens of fanatics?
• Order is restored in the court. Brown fixes his sleeves before launching into another tirade.
• Robert Brown: Miss Colvin may not have masterminded this crime, but she's definitely a morally corrupt reporter.

• Robert Brown: As you know, women tend to get carried away in romantic relationships. Someone must have coaxed her into doing what she did.

• Robert Brown: And that someone is clearly the other defendant in this case.

• Robert Brown: I have no more questions, Your Honour.

• Judge: Court is adjourned. We will resume in one hour. The prosecution may call upon the second defendant then.

• As everyone files out of the courtroom. I can't help but feel bad about my poor performance.
• I get up from my seat and return to the dock.
• My lawyer gently pats my on my shoulder, expressing his support and encouragement.
• As for Edmund, he glances at me coolly before walking out of the courtroom.

• One Hour Later

• Judge: Court is in session. The prosecution may begin.

• Edmund sits in the witness box, frowning as he awaits Brown's questions.
• Unlike his earlier placid attitude, Brown looks as if he is ready to charge at Edmund.
• Robert Brown: Mr. Davis, how is the financial situation at the Gotham Times?

• Seemingly confused by Brown's line of questioning, Edmund hesitates before speaking.
• Edmund Davis: We just broke even.

• Robert Brown: I have with me a couple of sales agreements, as well as the testimony of a paperboy.

• Robert Brown: Over the past few years, Mr. Davis has sold multiple assets to keep the paper afloat.

• Robert Brown: He would also buy his own unsold newspapers. And he does this almost every day.

• You: (Edmund did so much for the paper? I never knew...)

• Robert Brown: Which begs the question... Why would you do this?

• Robert Brown: You come from a wealthy family. Why would you bother saving a newspaper that's clearly dying?

• Edmund Davis: Because it was left to me by my parents, and it's very important to me.

• Robert Brown: How touching. However, the newspaper is profitable now. Am I right?

• Edmund Davis: If you're talking about sales and advertisement revenue, then yes, our profits have increased.

• Robert Brown: Which is to say, if your sales go up, so do your profits?

• Edmund Davis: In theory, yes. Growth in sales would bring more revenue.

• Robert Brown: Your Honor, may I please present some recent articles by the Gotham Times?

• Robert Brown: "Sanders--Harris' Main Opponent!"

• Robert Brown: "Sanders--New York's Best Bet!"

• Robert Brown: "Sanders--A Champion of the People!"

• You: Objection! The prosecution is misleading the jury.

• You: The articles he mentioned were reprinted from other newspapers.

• You: Besides, it's perfectly normal for newspapers in New York to report on political candidates!

• Judge: Keep your own counsel, Miss Colvin. Prosecution, don't belabor the point.

• Brown keeps his composure. After a few seconds of silence, he starts throwing out questions again.
• Robert Brown: Do you know Chuck Sanders, Mr. Davis?

• Edmund Davis: ...Yes, we are members of the same club.

• Robert Brown: Have you ever met Mr. Sanders in private?

• Edmund Davis: ...Yes, but that is not unusual. I can also meet with Harris when I want.

• Robert Brown: Of course. It's just that something fishy may be going on.

• You: (What a cunning fox! He's insinuating that Edmund is in cahoots with Councilman Harris' opponent!)

• Robert Brown: Back to the case--

• Robert Brown: This article you wrote with Miss Colvin has severely damaged Councilman Harris' reputation.

• Robert Brown: How did you and Miss Colvin come up with your supposed information of Councilman Harris' alleged doings?

• After beating around the bush for so long, Brown finally comes to the point.
• We must prove that Harris did what we reported...

No evidence

• You: (But how do we prove it when we don't have any evidence?)

• Judge: The burden of proof is on the defendants. Do you have any evidence to back up your claims?

• Defence Attorney: ...Not at the moment.

• Judge: Alright. Court is adjourned. The jury may retire for deliberation.

• Two Hours Later

• After the jury reaches a verdict, the judge reconvenes the court.
• Judge: On the case of Steven Harris versus Edmund Davis and Elizabeth Colvin of the Gotham Times, what is the jury's verdict?

• Middle-Aged Juror: Your Honor, the jury finds the defendants liable for defamation.

• Judge: In accordance with the jury's verdict, the court rules that Councilman Steven Harris' charges are valid.

• As the words of the judge echo across the court, despair fills my heart.
• Judge: Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment, but we all have a responsibility to the truth.

• Judge: The press in particular should take care to verify the truthfulness of their reports.

• Judge: As a source of information accessible by the public, truthful reporting should always be the principle of publication.

• Judge: Given that Steven Harris' standing in the upcoming election has been adversely impacted by this incident...

• Judge: The court rules that the Gotham Times and its publisher, Edmund Davis, shall take full responsibility, and must publish an apology and pay punitive damages.

• Judge: Miss Colvin must also publish an apology. Further compensation is not necessary as she is...

• As I walk out of the courtroom, I see both Edmund and Brown being swarmed by the reporters.
• I slide my way past them, my heart heavy with guilt and regret.
• How can I continue as a reporter? How can I face Edmund?

• A few days later, I send back the check Edmund gave me, along with a letter requesting him to publish an apology on my behalf, and leave New York.
• Before leaving, I reach out to Wilson, and ask him to lay a bouquet of flowers on Jessica's grave for me.
• Much to my parents' disappointment, I move to another city instead of returning to Kentucky.
• I leave reporting behind, and spend my days as a clerk at a small firm.

• Obtained the ending [An Ordinary Life]

One piece of evidence

Taylor's file

• Even though Taylor's evidence is insufficient to link Harris' directly to the incident...
• It at least lends some credence to what we deduced.

Boseman's recording

• I remember Prosecutor Boseman's recordings, and instantly feel a wave of confidence rising.
• I don't want to expose how she has been secretly monitoring Juliano's phone calls, but I don't have any other choice...

• I nod, signaling to my lawyer to present the evidence.
• It is at this moment that Edmund finally looks at me.
• But I have no time for his attention right now. I only wish that this evidence is enough to prove our innocence.

Both pieces of evidence

• With two major pieces of evidence in our hands, I feel very confident.
• They should be able to prove that we did not make it all up. Who knows, it might even further incriminate Harris.
• I nod, signaling to my lawyer to present the evidence.
• It is at this moment that Edmund finally looks at me.
• I look at Edmund squarely, hoping that he will continue to have faith in me.