Chapter 20 - THE SISTER WHO BLOCKED ME TESTIFIES
Theodora’s criminal trial was scheduled for early autumn.
My sister received a subpoena.
She did not want to testify against our mother.
She did it anyway.
Before trial, defense offered another plea.
Theodora refused.
She still wanted:
Accident.
The prosecutor prepared.
My sister’s testimony would be dangerous for both sides.
For the state:
Theodora planned to provoke me.
For defense:
My sister expected a handoff, suggesting Theodora may have initially intended one.
Truth contained both.
My sister practiced with counsel.
Not coached to choose.
Asked to remember.
At pretrial hearing, she testified about the messages.
“Did Theodora say she would do anything dangerous?”
“No.”
“Did she tell you to block Lissette?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So Lissette could not interrupt the demonstration.”
“What demonstration?”
“Mom wanted to hand Marcellus to me and show that Lissette became irrational.”
“Did you agree?”
“Yes.”
The word landed.
Then:
“Did you know she would hold him over the fire?”
“No.”
“Did you know she would release him?”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you move when you saw where she stood?”
My sister started crying.
“I thought she would step away.”
“Did you see Lissette reaching around you?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you let her through?”
“Because I had already decided she was overreacting.”
There.
No excuse.
Then defense:
“Did Theodora tell you she intended to hand Marcellus to you?”
“Yes.”
“So you expected to receive him?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever expect her to injure him?”
“No.”
Good.
The judge allowed the messages.
Trial remained.
May you like
No one got a perfect witness.
That is often what truth looks like.
