AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you currently working as a police officer?”
“I’m on leave, presently.”
“Why is that?”
Donna swallowed. “My testimony this afternoon is not . . . popular inside the McIntosh police force.”
“It’s not popular, but it will not be dishonest in any way, am I correct?”
“You’re correct.”
“Why do you think your testimony will be unpopular?”
Donna hesitated and took a brief glance into the gallery and at her fellow officers.
“Because it goes against the narrative.”
“What narrative is that?”
“The one set forth by the McIntosh Police Department about what happened on the night of January fifteenth, both at the Quinlan home and then later at police headquarters.”
“Okay,” Garrett said. “But since no one here is trying to win a popularity contest, only seeking justice for the errors made that night, I believe your testimony is vital even if it’s not respected by your colleagues. Do you agree?”
“Objection,” the state’s attorney said.
“Sustained,” the judge said.
Garrett nodded at the judge and looked back to Donna.
“Before we begin, can you let the court know how you and I are related?”
“We’re married.”
Garrett walked from behind the podium and approached the witness stand.
“Hi,” he said when he was next to her.
Donna smiled and the jury members let out quiet laughs.
“Hi,” Donna said.
“On January fifteenth of this year, were you on duty working the overnight shift?”
“Yes.”
“Did you receive a call that night?”
“Yes. I was on my routine patrol route when I received a call for shots fired at a residence.”
“What did you do?”
“I immediately responded. I was just a few blocks away.”
“Were you the first officer on the scene?”
“I was.”
“Can you take us through that night, Officer Koppel? From the moment you first arrived at the scene, and describe what you did and what you observed?”
