Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
You sat in the witness stand after taking the oath. This was all too much for you. Your heart was racing, faster ad the seconds turned to minutes. You couldn't look at the defense because you saw him watching you. He looked hungry, wanting more of you. You knew if this room were empty he'd attack. You stared at the prosecuting attorney ready to answer any questions.
"Good morning Ms. Levi." She smiled, she knew how hard this was for you.
"Morning, it's just Levi please." You corrected her. She smiled, at you indicating you are okay.
"Okay Levi, is it true on Monday July 30, 2012 was the night of the attack?" She asked and you nodded agreeing.
"Can you tell us in your own words what happened that night?" She asked, you two had prepared for this. You were ready to tell everyone what really happened.
Your POV
"Yes ma'am. I'm a teacher at the Dance Academy down town. So like everyday I was after school cleaning my studio. I took a bit longer due to also practicing a new dance routine. When the song had finished, I heard Ethan McDover, Mikey Smith, and Lisa Birchwood come in. I was cautious due to earlier Ethan had tried to harass me." I explained what I was thinking.
"Okay what happened next?" She stared at me. I looked at her my hands shaking. I took a deep breath and continued.
"Yes I was ready to run when Lisa and Mikey grabbed me. They pinned me to the floor. *Deep Breath* I tried to get away but couldn't. Then ... Ethan pulled out a knife." I explained more.
"Why did he have the knife?" She asked for the jury.
"He wanted me to tell him where I had hidden the files. And if I wouldn't he'd slice my skin." I explained why he needed a knife.
"What files?" She asked knowing it was important.
"Objection! The type of file holds no value." The defense argued but the judge thought otherwise.
"Continue Levi." Judge Lewis insisted. I nodded.
"Yes I had gathered evidence of a major drug ring at the Academy. And some of the evidence had to do with Lisa, Mikey, and Ethan." I explained what the files were.
"Okay, what happened next." The Prosecutor asked again.
"Well I didn't want to tell them where everything was. So I told them about one. And he cut me on the face right here." I pointed to the red spot on my cheek.
"I told him where more were but he knew there was more. You see he had been following me as well for weeks. So he knew I always keep at the least 20 copies on all jobs." I explained what the reason behind not believing me was.
"He kept cutting me all over my body. He got my shoulder here. And 6 times on my abdomen area." I added more.
"After I told them where the 20th on was he had Lisa and Mikey leave the room." I looked at Mark who was horrified by my confessions.
"Yes? Then what happened Levi?" They pushed for more.
"He was alone with me. Lisa and Mikey stood guard outside of the room. I tried to get up and run but was too weak from blood loss. He had already cut me 26 times. I did manage to slide back a few feet but then collapsed in exhuastion." I spoke slowly trying not to cry.
"It's okay Levi. Just tell us what happened next." She pushed me further.
"Right. *Deep Breath* He got on top of me. He.. pulled my pants off. I tried to fight him off but he cut me more. Then he told me if I just lay still he'd kill me quickly. I didn't listen, I didn't want to die. So I kept trying to muster power to get away. He finally got tired of me fighting and stabbed me twice here and here." I pointed to my belly button area and my right side.
"The pain was to much I couldn't move. He then unzipped his pants and tried to rape me. Then a friend of mine pulled him off of me before he had the chance. I passed than from blood loss." I explained and she nodded.
"No further questions." The Prosecutor walked away leaving me at the mercy of the defense.
"Levi, can you please explain why you were stalking Ethan, Lisa, and Mikey around?" He asked almost angry with me!
"Yah, I am a P.I. private investigator. And yes I have a listens. So when I noticed my colleague Mr. Chris Zlinztki was behaving suspicious I took the liberty of investigating. For the sake of the school of course. And I found him and 9 students were involved in an elaborate drug ring at the Academy. After finding this out I investigated each student and Mr. Zlinztki thoroughly." I added making it clear I was legally investigating a crime.
"Levi are you aware what blackmail is?" He asked, I smiled. I knew he'd play this card.
"Yes obviously all investigators know. It's a threat to harm someone (physically or emotionally) if they do not do something the blackmailer wants." I explained the definition to them.
"Correct so what did you do with this "evidence"?" He asked mocking me while insinuating I blackmailed someone.
"I told Mr. Zlinztki I had the proof, even showed a tiny bit of what I had. I however made no deals or threats. After that he did tell the students involved. That including Lisa, Mikey and of course Ethan." I explained kinda lying... oops!
"Did you have an indication before the incident that you were under threat?" He asked trying to play that the attack was on a whim.
"Yes of course. I received death threats daily. I was even attacked in my home the dame day I talked to Zlinztki. But the harshest threat was Ethan. Everyday for weeks he would threaten me and my friend's lives in person. And the day he stabbed me, at lunch before hand he told me he knew I'd been continuing my investigation even after the threats. And told me he wouldn't tell the others if I slept with him. He said if he told them he wouldn't be able stop them from killing me. I refused and he tried to rape me anyway. But I managed to escape him that time. After that I had decided to turn over all my evidence but never got the chance." I answered him and it backfired on him. Now the jury had clear evidence of motive and his character.
After me testimony. They spoke to my doctors who treated me and first responders. They even played my 911 call for the jury. The trail lasted all day. Finally the jury had to deliberate. It took 9 minutes for a verdict.
"Guilty!" The lead jury member announced. I was so happy I cried. Ethan was found guilty of attempted murder in the first degree, which got him 15 years. He had no options for early release.
I was beyond happy with the results. 15 years in prison for Ethan McDover!
