“Overruled, sit down, Counsel. Proceed.”
“As I was saying, Reid used to belittle her and say things that were derogatory.”
“Could you elaborate?”
"He didn't like the work she did. Reid thought it was a waste of time, and he insulted her about what she wore or how she spoke."
“Did Mr. Craig ever appear hostile toward his wife?”
“Yes, he was. He would often spew profanities at her in the presence of others. He’d call her unpleasant names.”
Maria nodded, looking back at me.
“Did you ever witness him becoming physically violent toward his wife?”
“Your Honor, I do not see the significance of the question.” Shaver shook his head.
"The appropriate word isobject, and since you spoke when not asked to, I'm not considering that, Counsel."
She nodded to Tiffany to continue, my hands sweaty because her next words would make or break me.
"We had a charity event once, and I'd noticed Tara and Reid weren't around. I tended to be cautious about those two, for obvious reasons. I walked upstairs, and she was crouching on the floor, covering her face, while he -" she wiped a tear from her eye. "He was leaning down, punching her on her head and the hands covering her face."
"What did you do, Mrs. Craig?"
“Nothing,” she sniffed. “Because doing something would’ve meant the same fate for me.”
"I have no further questions, Your Honor. Your witness," Maria informed Shaver as she sat beside me, taking my trembling hands in hers.
Shaver was intimidating. I'd been questioned by him, so I knew that being on that stand, with him focusing his glare on you, was not an easy thing to endure.
"Mrs. Craig, how long have you known Reid?”
“About ten years.”
"And was Mr. Craig that way the entire time you knew him?"
“For as long as I have known him, yes, he was.”
"Mrs. Craig, have you ever seen the defendant, Tara Reid sober?"
The question seemed to confuse her. “I beg your pardon?”
“Have you ever seen the ex-Mrs. Craig sober?”
She lowered her gaze. "She would arrive at our house sober, and then we'd all drink."
"Has she ever acted irrationally?"
“I don’t believe she ever did.”
"Is it true that on one occasion she became so drunk she burst into tears at the table, flinging cutlery, crockery, and food everywhere?"
“She was being provoked by Reid, he was -”
"Just answer the question, Mrs. Craig." he cut her off.
“Yes, that is true.”
