“And you didn’t strike her or physically abuse her in any way?”
“No again. What we did was consensual and pleasurable. No pain.”
“Thank you, Mr. Talbot.”
I looked at my notes for a few moments before standing up. I wanted a break of time to clearly mark the line between direct and cross-examination.
“Mr. Haller?” the judge prompted. “Do you wish to cross-examine the witness?”
I stood up and moved to the lectern.
“Yes, Your Honor, I do.”
I put my pad down and looked directly at Talbot. He was smiling pleasantly at me but I knew he wouldn’t like me for very long.
“Mr. Talbot, are you right- or left-handed?”
“I’m left-handed.”
“Left-handed,” I echoed. “And isn’t it true that on the night ofthe sixth, before leaving Regina Campo’s apartment, she asked you to strike her with your fist repeatedly in the face?”
Minton stood up.
“Your Honor, there is no basis for this sort of questioning. Mr. Haller is simply trying to muddy the waters by taking outrageous statements and turning them into questions.”
The judge looked at me and waited for a response.
“Judge, it is part of the defense theory as outlined in my opening statement.”
“I am going to allow it. Just be quick about it, Mr. Haller.”
The question was read to Talbot and he smirked and shook his head.
“That is not true. I’ve never hurt a woman in my life.”
“You struck her with your fist three times, didn’t you, Mr. Talbot?”
“No, I did not. That is a lie.”
“You said you have never hurt a woman in your life.”
“That’s right. Never.”
“Do you know a prostitute named Shaquilla Barton?”
Talbot had to think before answering.
“Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“On the website where she advertises her services she uses the name Shaquilla Shackles. Does that ring a bell now, Mr. Talbot?”
“Okay, yeah, I think so.”
“Have you ever engaged in acts of prostitution with her?”
“One time, yes.”
“When was that?”
