Caray, Caray!

• Roberto told Leonardo that the court date was in three days. Leonardo didn't like this because he felt that they didn't have enough proof. Roberto was sure they could spin what they had.
  
  
• Alan presented Nora's case by saying that she had been threatened with a sharp object while being sexually attacked. The prosecutor argued that the weapon had not been used against her and this was insufficient for an argument of self-defense. Alan countered that the threat was sufficiently frightening to motivate the defendant to defend herself. The prosecutor said that there was insufficient vs. its actual use, per the law. The judge reprimanded Alan, saying that his arguments were incorrect. “Your client has the right to a good defense. Do not obligate me to remove you.”
  “I can defend my client,” Alan said. [Really? We have reasonable doubt about that.]
  The prosecutor wanted to begin questioning Nora and Alan tried to stall it. The prosecutor held up the evidence bag containing the weapon. Nora began to freak. The evidence was accepted. Cinthia looked frightened.
• Juan told the coroner that he was going out for coffee but would be right back. He then worked on the guy, empathizing with his workload, etc., and asked how he liked his coffee. The man said he liked café Americano. Juan said “Good, because I might otherwise have brought you a double espresso.” Then he walked out.
• The prosecutor finished his closing statement, saying that the only appropriate criteria is the letter of the law. Thus, the fastest trial in history ends with a judgement of guilty of homicide. Nora cried as she protested and her mother began to cry. The judge called for silence as he announced that in view of this being a first offense the sentence would be six years in prison.
• Juan came back with the coffee and asked if there was any news. When the answer was
  no” he brought home the point that his client's court date is in a few days. The coroner gave the usual passive/aggressive excuse of things taking their own time. [So what is he doing at the desk when he should be in the lab?] Juan said he had to leave because he had things to do. He then left, saying he would be back.
• Nora became hysterical, begging her mother to get her out. The police dragged her back to her cell. Her mother gave Alan hell for his incompetence. He said he would try to appeal but that her daughter's fingerprints were on the murder weapon. She shoved him away and left. The prosecutor then told Alan he felt sorry for his client, but that he was wrong to try to make a self-defense claim when she had no bruises, cuts, or other evidence of bodily harm. [If a rape victim has to wait for a weapon to be used on her to decide to defend herself using deadly force for this to be called self-defense, it's no wonder there are so many femicides in Ciudad Juárez.] When Alan said he would appeal, the prosecutor said “I doubt she would want you to represent her again..” [Now taking bets on who will.]
• Leticia went into Gustavo's office to remind him that his case against Milena would be heard the next day. He was to hand over photos, videos, etc., and the ones she sent to Isabel. He was not comfortable having those go before a judge, but Leticia said that this was the only way. Further, if he wanted to extend the charges there needed to be something else he could charge her with. She asked about threats and extortion, whether there were any messages, e-mails, etc. He opened his laptop and she took it to make the searches. He put in his password and told her to look for what she needed.
• Ricardo accepted a video game invitation from his son ad when he ended the call talked with Alejandra about spending some time with her and her father. [This is the real deal, amigos.]
• Juan went back to the office with the exact date and time. No news yet about the report but he is leaning on them. Leo was still concerned and after some back and forth Juan told them that if the courts aren't in a hurry they don't have much of a case. This was not, however, going to allow them to be lazy. Leonardo said they needed to be prepared for any surprises.
• Victoria and Olivia went to the same restaurant for lunch and every table was occupied. They and saw Ricardo and Alejandra. Just as they sat down Olivia's cell indicated she had another match. Alejandra commented that sometimes love happens when one least expects it.
• Leticia was looking at the messages on Gustavo's laptop when Benjamín arrived. She had not yet found anything she could use against her in another charge. She then began making fun of the messages that were there. Benjamín, in his usual way, made suggestive remarks about them getting together that night, but she said she had to work. Benjamín kissed her and left her to her work. As he headed for the door she looked at him with new eyes. It did not look like she liked what she saw.
• Roberto suggested that they find a way to elevate Carlos' image. When he wondered what pro bono cases Carlos had taken, Juan told him that the only clients Carlos ever had were wealthy ones who paid big money for his services. Leonardo then suggested they talk to his colleagues, friends, and family. Even Alejandra.
• Olivia and Victoria returned to the office talking about Olivia's upcoming new date. They also had noticed what was going on between Ricardo and Alejandra. Victoria was pleased for Ricardo, saying that it was a long time since she last saw him happy. When Olivia mentioned Leonardo's name, Victoria changed the subject and said they'd better get to work or stay late.
• Ricardo finished his work early and asked Alejandra if she'd like help with hers. She suggested he get a head start on his time with Federico and he agreed. They were about to kiss when Carmen knocked. They separated and Carmen came in with the good news for Alejandra that her office was ready. She also said that Leonardo wanted to see her. After she left Ricardo told her that while he was happy her office was ready he was accustomed to her being in his. Kiss, and at least the door was closed.
• Alan visited Carlos, who appeared to be losing his mind. He told him the bad news that he lost the criminal case he just handled. Carlos called him an idiot, told him that he was bringing down the firm, and forbade him taking any cases. He told him to get out and Alan refused because “It's my firm, too.” [This will end badly.]
• Leonardo and Roberto asked Alejandra to be a character witness for Carlos. She looked a little hesitant.
• Alan and Carlos continued to argue. Alan tried to pull the DNA card but Carlos didn't let him play it. He was in jail, his firm is in pieces, and he can't do anything about it until he got out. Finally Alan left.
• Alejandra told them she would do what she could, but Roberto had noticed that she had not been visiting Carlos for a while. She went into her new office where Carmen noticed that all was not well. She asked if she could help but Alejandra declined her offer. She said nothing about what was bothering her.
• Carlos' legal team felt as ready as they could be and Leonardo said that he hoped that Alan wouldn't say or do anything inconsistent with what they know. Juan did not think he would, but Leo pointed out that they needed to get Carlos out of jail. Then they could find the killer. [With regard to Alan, it's too bad Juan didn't recruit a spy from within the halls of injustice.]
• Ricardo and Federico watched sports on TV and ate snacks and had a good time. Federico then told him he's like to live with him.
• Gustavo stopped by Benjamín's office to invite him for a drink. He was tired of going to a small hotel room by himself. Benjamín declined, saying he had to go home to his wife and son. He suggested Ricardo, but Gustavo knew that Ricardo was with his kids. “I have to get used to my new reality,” he said. After he left Benjamín paused long enough to look at a photo of his wife, a photo that was probably taken around the time they were married. He suddenly – and for the first time – looked like he was thinking.
• Ricardo said he would like that but he would have to talk to Elena about this. He explained that it would cause a lot of problems because he isn't Fede's natural or legal father. He did say that they would work together at finding the way to do this.
• Gustavo called Isabel and begged her once again to give him another chance. Her answer was the same. Nothing new in their conversation. Finally he asked to speak to Luis and she handed the phone to the boy. He told Gustavo he missed him and asked when he was coming back from his business trip. Gustavo told him it would be soon. As soon as he ended the call he cried.
• Alejandra and Paul talked about the upcoming court date. Alejandra was nervous about it.
• Leticia found Gustavo crying in his office. She told him that if all went well the next day the matter with Milena would be over. [I think she's being a bit optimistic about this.] She told him to trust her.
• Alejandra was nervous because of the possibility that Carlos would not be released. She wasn't sure what she would or could do then. However, Paula told her to have faith.
• The following morning when Ricardo picked Alejandra up at her place she told him that Carlos' court date was in two days.
• Leticia gave her opening statement in court, stating that Gustavo was a noted family law attorney whose former lover, Milena Tellèz – with the intent of ruining his reputation – posted an explicit sex video of them on the internet without his consent. Milena's attorney countered that his client did not commit any crime, but merely uploaded the video to the wrong platform. He mentioned that Gustavo had consented to make the video. The judge looked at Leticia and asked if that was true and she answered that it was, but he had not consented to this use of it. Milena's lawyer pointed out that everyone shares on the internet but Leticia pointed out that this was on a page freely available to the public for the purpose of humiliating Gustavo. She then handed a disc to the court clerk as evidence and the clerk inserted the disc into cinto the computer and played it. The judge lowered his glasses to watch, Gustavo was cringing internally, and Milena's lawyer looked embarrassed.
• Ricardo said he thought that Roberto and Leonardo would do a good job on Carlos' case. Alejandra was also confident in them as there was not much evidence in the case. Ricardo said that this would be when she could clarify her relationship with Carlos and she told him that Leonardo wanted her to be there. Ricardo looked a little insecure through this.
• Leticia told the court that Gustavo had told Milena on multiple occasions that he wanted to end their relationship but Milena would not accept this. [Why didn't she put him on the witness stand?] Milena tried to deny this. Leticia then accused Milena of attempted extortion. Milena's lawyer then stood up demanding proof. Leticia submitted the evidence, which were copies of messages Milena had sent. She then read off the computer screen. “My love, buy me the earrings you promised me. You don't want to see me angry, do you?” Opposing counsel said that this was no proof. “That she demanded them that way, imagine the extortion she could have been contemplating,” she said. “How do we know she didn't threaten to post the videos on the internet if he didn't pay her money?” She then continued. “'You didn't come yesterday. If you want me to forgive you, you will buy me these shoes.' And she included a photo of the shoes she wanted. They cost more than seven thousand pesos.” [$387 US, but who's counting?]
  Milena got up and shouted that Gustavo had used her and thrown her away. The judge demanded order and her lawyer brought her back to her seat.
• Ricardo told Alejandra she had to help. She told him that when Carlos goes free things between them will have to change. She will have to talk to him. This will take time. Ricardo told her she should take all the time she needed. Their time together will be a great memory for him. [WTF???]

Labels: ley

Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:00 PM