"The court is now back in session. Please rise, announces the clerk."

Despite the recess, the weight of gravity lingers within the walls of the courtroom. As if nothing had changed, the air remains stifling, thick with a heavy tension.

"You may be seated", declares the judge after taking his place.

We comply, waiting for him to speak again.

"Thank you. We will now resume the hearing. Prosecutor Bianche, you've finished with your previous witness. Is that correct ?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We have concluded Madame Pernisse's testimony."

"Very well. Mr. Filecci, you may call your next witness."

"Thank you, Your Honor. The defense now calls Dr. Elena Serraro to the stand."

Summoned, a woman in her forties steps forward, takes the oath, and sits.

"Dr. Serraro, could you please explain your qualifications and experience in forensic medicine to the court ?"

"Of course. I've been a forensic pathologist for fifteen years. I've worked on numerous murder cases and specialize in crime scene analysis and autopsies."

"Thank you, Doctor. Could you tell us what you discovered during your analysis of the crime scene in this case ?"

"My analyses revealed a discrepancy between the murderer's height and the defendant's."

"Could you explain in more detail, please ?"

"Yes. In cases involving firearms, we determine the bullet trajectory. This involves examining the impacts on the environment and the victims, considering entry and exit points if applicable. Combining these two analyses gives us a firing angle. We cross-check the data with lasers, allowing us to establish both distance and height. From this, we create a profile, and that profile does not match the defendant's."

"What do you mean by that ? What profile were you able to determine ?"

"The profile suggests a person measuring between 1.90 and 1.95 meters."

"And were you able to determine the time of death with certainty ?"

"The five victims were killed between 3:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m."

"Very well. Thank you, Dr. Serraro. No further questions."

"Mr. Bianche, you may cross-examine the witness."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Doctor, is it possible that an accomplice was present ?"

"Even though all the bullets were fired by the same shooter, the presence of an accomplice cannot be ruled out."

"Thank you, Dr. Serraro. No further questions."

"Very well. The witness may step down. Mr. Filecci, your next witness."

Next, it's Andy's turn to testify, asked not only to support my alibi but also to establish my character in an effort to uncover any potential motive. But there is none, of course. Andrea then takes the stand to corroborate my alibi at the time of the murders. Despite the prosecutor's persistent attempts to sow doubt among the jury about my innocence, the testimonies proceed without deviation.

"Your Honor, with your permission, I would like to introduce a crucial piece of evidence for my client's defense, Mrs. Madini."

"Go ahead, Mr. Filecci. Present your evidence."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we've heard various testimonies. However, I would now like to submit surveillance footage that clearly shows my client could not have been present at the crime scene at the time of the murder."

The echo of Filecci's heels fills the room as she steps forward to hand over the evidence to the clerk, who then passes it to Judge Umerio.

"The evidence is admitted. Please continue, Mr. Filecci."

"Thank you, Your Honor, she says, turning to the jury. This video was recorded at a toll booth on the A18 highway, a toll section of the E45, on the evening of May 22nd. The footage clearly shows Mrs. Madini's vehicle passing through the toll at 4:51 p.m., approximately an hour and a half after the estimated time of the murders, which was around 3:30 p.m."

The surveillance video bathes the dim courtroom in light, sparking the jury's curiosity.

"As you can see, the footage unmistakably shows Mrs. Madini's car passing through the toll at 4:51 p.m., heading north toward the Madini residence. It is impossible for her to have made the round trip and be photographed at 4:51 p.m. at this toll, located at the highway's entrance, when more than two hours separate her from the crime scene. As a reminder, this road is the fastest route to the manor. Furthermore, no prior footage shows Mrs. Madini taking the opposite direction. This means that my client simply could not have been at the crime scene at the time of the murders."

The clear timestamp on the paused video fills me with a warm sense of relief. Yet it quickly dissipates, replaced by the icy chill of doubt as I notice the impassive faces of the jury.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this evidence is crucial as it provides a solid alibi for my client. She was far from the crime scene at the critical time, making it impossible for her to have committed the murders in question. Additionally, this footage is corroborated by toll booth records confirming that Mrs. Madini's vehicle passed through at the indicated time, as well as by the alibi supported by the witnesses we've heard."

"Does the prosecution wish to respond to this new evidence ?" 

"Yes, Your Honor. We would like to verify the authenticity of this footage and question the relevant witnesses to ensure there has been no manipulation or error."

"We welcome any verification, as we are confident that this evidence is both authentic and irrefutable. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we ask that you consider this footage with the utmost care. It proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Mrs. Madini could not have been at the crime scene at the time of the murder", my lawyer insists.

The jury remains unmoved, in stark contrast to my racing pulse as Callegrio takes the stand. I place my hand on my thigh, squeezing it to calm my restless leg. As he introduces himself at Felicci's request, I take a deep breath, trying to reassure myself of his loyalty to us.

"Inspector Callegrio, can you please explain to the court what happened on January 12th of this year ?"

"Yes. During a routine traffic stop, I pulled over the defendant for speeding. She complied and pulled to the side of the road. When I asked for her papers, she opened her jacket, and I saw the handle of a gun sticking out. I've been in this job for 18 years, and there was no doubt about what I was looking at."

"So you took her to the station for illegal possession of a firearm, correct ?"

"Yes. Once there, I conducted the interrogation, during which she confessed to possessing the weapon due to a break-in at her home."

"Where was the gun at that moment ?"

"It was bagged, between us, on the desk."

"And when my client left, where was the gun ?"

"Still on my desk. After she left, I handed it to my colleague, Officer Maglione, in the evidence room for him to verify, register, and archive it."

"Your Honor, with your permission, I would like to present a crucial piece of evidence in this case."

"Go ahead, Mr. Filecci. Present your evidence."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Inspector Callegrio testified that he handed the weapon to evidence. To corroborate his testimony, we submit as evidence the sign-in sheet that officers are required to fill out when transferring a firearm."

The rustling of plastic passing from hand to hand among the jury disturbs the silence that has settled.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, as you can see, this sheet contains the electronic timestamp and Inspector Callegrio's signature. It undeniably proves our witness's testimony."

"Does the prosecution wish to respond to this new evidence ?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We would like to question the officer who logged this weapon."

"Very well, Mr. Bianche. Prosecutor, please call Officer Pietro Maglione to the stand for questioning."

"Of course, Your Honor. Officer Maglione, please approach the stand, requests my lawyer."

The man in question approaches the stand. After taking the oath, he clasps his hands in front of him to control the subtle trembling that doesn't escape my notice.

"Officer Maglione, when you receive a firearm, can you explain the procedure to the court ?"

"Indeed. We must follow a strict procedure to ensure the chain of custody and the integrity of evidence. We check the compliance and record the specific details of the firearm: the type, model, serial number, and any distinctive characteristics. Then, we enter all relevant information into the evidence log, including the date and time of receipt, details of the weapon, and the identity of the officer who handed it in. A unique evidence number is assigned to maintain traceability throughout the judicial process. After ensuring the weapon is unloaded, we seal it. It must be placed in proper packaging that both protects it and allows for visual inspection. Finally, a seal is placed on the package. The weapon is then stored in a secure area, usually a room or safe specifically designated for evidence. Access to this area is strictly controlled."

"Thank you, Officer Maglione, for your explanation."

"Mr. Felicci once again requests permission to submit documentation. The portion of the evidence log concerning my weapon now circulates through the jury."

"As you can see, this page contains information about Mrs. Madini's weapon, along with the timestamp and Officer Maglione's signature. This document confirms the sealing of Mrs. Madini's firearm."

"Does the prosecution wish to respond to this new evidence ?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We would like to present additional evidence to clarify the situation."

"Go ahead, Mr. Bianche."

"Thank you, Your Honor, Bianche responds before turning to the clerk. Could you please bring evidence bag number 34567 ?"

Without a word, the clerk complies and hands over the evidence.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this weapon, in evidence bag number 34567, was logged by Inspector Callegrio on the evening of April 17, 2024. According to the evidence log, it is a Glock 19, which, let us remember, has the same serial number as the murder weapon. However, upon receipt of this weapon, it seems we have a problem."

He opens the bag under the curious gaze of the courtroom.

"Your Honor, as you can see, this weapon is actually a .38 caliber revolver, not a 9mm Glock as recorded in the evidence log. This suggests that Mrs. Madini's weapon, and the murder weapon, were never properly sealed."

The tension becomes palpable. Faces in the audience darken, glances drift in confusion, and hushed whispers rise.

"Does the defense wish to respond to this observation ?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We would like to question Officer Maglione on this matter to clarify the discrepancy."

"Very well."

"Officer Maglione, can you explain why the evidence log states that it is a Glock 19, while the weapon presented is a .38 caliber revolver ?"

"I'm not sure what happened, but it appears there was a mistake during the logging process. I will need to review the original documents to see if a substitution occurred", he defends himself, though his voice begins to tremble.

"Mr. Maglione, is it possible that someone had access to the weapon after it was logged ?" asks the prosecutor.

"Theoretically, yes, but access to the evidence room is strictly controlled and monitored."

"We will suspend the hearing to investigate this matter further. The court must ensure the integrity of all evidence presented. The hearing is adjourned until we can obtain full clarification regarding this discrepancy."

The judge raises his gavel, sealing his words with authority.