“The State calls Sheriff Declan O’Rourke.”
Sheriff O’Rourke walked to the stand with a kind of steady confidence that came from years of testifying in court. He was sworn in, took his seat, and folded his hands in his lap.
Rosalind approached him with a warm, almost friendly smile.
“Sheriff O’Rourke, can you please describe for the jury what you found on the night of March 4th when you arrived at the residence of Alan Sanders?”
Declan cleared his throat.
“I received a call from dispatch at approximately 3:47 AM reporting a possible homicide at 1247 Oakwood Drive. I arrived on scene at 3:52 AM. The front door was unlocked. I entered and found the victim, Alan Sanders, deceased in the kitchen. He had sustained multiple stab wounds to the back.”
“And where was the defendant when you arrived?”
“Mr. Nelson was sitting at the kitchen table, approximately six feet from the body.”
I felt the jury’s eyes on me.
I kept my face blank.
“Did Mr. Nelson say anything to you?”
“Yes. When I asked what happened, he said,‘I think it’s pretty obvious what happened, Sheriff’.”Snickers sounded throughout the courtroom, and Tony shook his head. “When I questioned him further, he requested legal representation and said,‘I think maybe I should call my lawyer’.After that, he refused to answer any further questions without counsel present.”
Rosalind let that hang in the air for a moment.
“Did he appear injured?”
“Yes, ma’am. He had lacerations on both his hands. Blood covered his hands and arms from the wrists up. His clothing was saturated with blood.”
“Did he appear intoxicated or impaired in any way?”
“No, he was coherent and calm.”
“Remarkably composed,” Rosalind said, turning slightly toward the jury. “The defendant was calm and controlled. He wasn’t panicked. He wasn’t confused. He sat at the kitchen table next to the victim he had just stabbed to death.”
“Objection!” Tony called out. “Prosecution is testifying.”
“Sustained. Keep the commentary to yourself, counselor.”
“Of course, Your Honor,” Rosalind responded sweetly.
“Sheriff, did you find the murder weapon?”
“Yes. A kitchen knife, approximately eight inches long, was found on the floor near the victim’s feet. It was covered in blood.”
“And did you find any evidence that anyone else had been present at the scene?”
“No, ma’am. No signs of forced entry, no witnesses. The only fingerprints besides Mr. Nelson’s and the homeowner’s were Ms. Nelson’s.”
Rosalind nodded slowly.
“So to be clear, Sheriff, when you arrived... you found Simon Nelson alone with the victim’s body, covered in blood, with the murder weapon at his feet, and when questioned, he invoked his right to counsel.”
“That’s correct.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. No further questions.”
Rosalind returned to her table, her expression satisfied.
