In Their Own Words - Rendezvous
Major Sarah MacKenzie
By Jo (jhuppcla@knox.net)
I am not relishing working on the Holst case. I understand that with it being a capital murder case, the Chief needs a strong defense so the initial ruling won't be overturned on appeal. That doesn't mean I have to like being that defense.
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Holst is as unpleasant in person as I anticipated. He admits to hitting his wife and is completely unapologetic about it.
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I don't like being questioned about my ability to do my job. Chief Holst is one of the least grateful clients I've ever represented.
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Spousal Privilege, the regulation that releases the wife or husband of the accused from presenting evidence against their spouse. The 5th Amendment by proxy. It can be very damning to a case when a spouse chooses to reject that protection. As Liz Holst did when she testified that the Chief was not home when she arrived after fleeing the crime scene.
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Harm is a good friend. I didn't want to even consider the possibility that my past was clouding my judgment, though I knew it probably was. I was angry when he brought it up earlier, but he didn't let my ire stand in the way of being a friend. Talking it out really did help.
As for these 'love letters,' I can't help but wonder about Harm's intentions. He truly is my friend, but also a fine lawyer. I know from experience that our friendship won't protect me from his lawyering tactics. His intensity on cases is incredible - I'd rather we were on the same side.
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She's not a hostile witness, she's just unreliable - in the extreme. Liz Holst basically recanted almost everything she testified to the other day. Which means that her evidence is now in our favor. But why did she change her story mid-stride?
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Bud is going to make an excellent lawyer someday, though he still has some difficult lessons to learn. Such as the fact that sometimes morals have to be set aside. It was one of my most difficult lessons and one I still struggle with. Holst is guilty, but it's our job to defend him. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution.
Still, I almost want Harm to find out about those satellite photos. Letting a murderer loose wouldn't rest easy on my conscience, job or not.
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Harm learned about the satellite photos; there is nothing I can do for Chief Holst now except to try to get him a lighter sentence.
Now that the case is over, Harm and I can return to the easy friendship we share when we're not opposing counsel. And Bud and Harriet are taking the evening for themselves. They really do make a nice couple.
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Thanks to Susan for the beta
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Disclaimer: While based on the JAG episode, this is for entertainment purposes only and no profit is being made.