The judge looked out over the jury and then announced, "It’s now the Defense’s turn to question the witness."
Garrett let her eyes drift over the courtroom while she waited for the defense to cross-examine her. The sight of blonde hair drew her attention to the last row where Danni was seated with Mom and Rosie. ‘Just a few more minutes and we’re on our way home. I’ve got to remember to check on Chris before I head home from the hospital. Don’t want to…’ Garrett’s thoughts were disturbed as she heard her name being called out by the Adonis of a man in the suit that was standing in front of her.
"Miss…I mean…Dr. Trivoli," the intense looking dark-haired man flashed his well rehearsed grin at her, "Isn’t it a little unusual for someone of your age and experience to be assuming such an important role in the Trauma Center?"
The question caught Garrett off guard. "Huh, what does my age have to do with it? I have plenty of experience."
He laughed and let his right hand slide smoothly into his suit jacket pocket. "I ask the questions here and you answer them, Doctor." He turned and played to the jury acting like the woman on the witness stand had no courtroom savvy. It would be his first attempt of many to discredit her testimony. "Then, can you tell us non-medical people exactly what is considered a trauma in the world of medicine?"
The surgeon didn’t need to think about this answer at all. It was her life and rolled off her tongue as though she penned its definition. "Trauma is any body wound or shock produced by physical injury, as from violence or an accident."
"Now, are you stating for the court that you have experience in handling traumas, such that are indicated in this case?" He watched her as though he was waiting for a child to answer.
"Yes," Garrett nodded slowly, "It is my testimony that I have experience in handling traumas."
"Where did you acquire your trauma experience?"
"In the United States Navy, as a Lieutenant."
The Defense Attorney strutted up to the front of the courtroom. "Dr. Trivoli, you tell us that you were a Lieutenant in the Navy. Where exactly were you stationed during your time with the Navy?"
"I was stationed onboard two or three aircraft carriers as a Flight Surgeon after my basic training."
"Can you tell me how the women onboard those vessels were treated?" He tilted his head as if really interested in her reply.
"They were treated like sailors, sir. We were all there to do our assigned jobs."
He stood before the jury, letting his right hand slowly play along the railing in a thoughtful pattern. "Were there any…oh, let’s say, fighter pilots that were female under your care?"
"No, not on my deployments to sea. Some were cooks, computer specialists, communication specialists, nurses."
"And, of course, you, the only surgeon onboard." He looked directly into her eyes and smiled. "It was your responsibility to treat the entire crew for any health concerns or accidental injures, is that correct?"
"Yes, I was the only surgeon paired with a general practice physician."
"Then tell me, Doctor, during those years in the Navy, how many rape victims did you treat?"
"None."
"How many did you see someone else treating during that time?"
"None."
The Defense Attorney turned to the jury and smiled charmingly at them one by one. "Dr. Trivoli, have you ever been raped?"
"No!"
"Have you ever witnessed a rape?"
"No!"
"Have you ever raped someone?"
The answer was prompt. "NO!"
The District Attorney stood, "I object, Your Honor."
The Council for the Defense was quick to begin a reply to the Judge, "Your Honor…"
The Judge tapped his fingers on the handle of his gavel. "The court will take a ten minute recess." Then looking from one attorney to the other, "I’ll see you both in my chambers, now!" He then got up and left the bench, retreating into his chambers with the two opposing lawyers not far behind.
Exactly ten minutes went by before the three men returned to the courtroom. The disgruntled look on the face of the Prosecutor was all anyone needed to see that, at least for the time being, this line of questioning would continue.
"Doctor, if you have never been raped, witnessed a rape or have raped another person, how would you know to identify a rape trauma, from any other trauma?"
"The introduction of bruising around the vaginal area, the teeth marks on the breasts, and the multiple contusions on the victim that would align with the placement of hands."
The Defense Attorney appeared to become very confident, his posture straightened as if he grew another six inches. He stood over Garrett in the witness stand asking, "Dr. Trivoli, have you never heard of sex partners that enjoy a variety of methods to become fulfilled? Such as sadomasochists?"
Garrett’s eyebrow quirked when the question was asked, yet she responded quickly. "Yes, I have heard of such practices, but that wasn’t the case here."
"Doctor, how can you be sure that wasn’t the case? Aren’t you the first one to mention the need of a ‘Rape Kit’?"
"Yes, I was in charge of the Trauma Room. I called for the Rape Kit."
"Did you ask all the males to leave the room?"
"Yes."
"Why was that?"
"To give the victim the privacy she deserved. She had been violated once. Having men in the room during the processing of the Rape Kit would be like having it telecast on TV, thus violating her again. I did not feel that the men needed to be in the room. She had been violated enough."
"Your Honor, would you please direct the witness to just answer the question and NOT add her own commentary."
The Judge smirked. He didn’t like the way the Defense Attorney was handling such an esteemed doctor. "Mr. Hanington, you asked a vague question, she seemed to answer it appropriately."
The Lawyer for the Defense felt that he was losing ground and attempted to discredit her answer. "Isn’t it true that you told one of the men who was in the room that you never wanted to see him step foot in your Trauma Room again?"
"Yes."
The slick attorney smiled to the jurors and asked a series of rapid-fire questions. "Isn’t it true that the real reason you asked those men to leave was because you don’t like MEN?"
"No!"
"And you feel you are superior to them in EVERY way?" Both his eyes and tone emphasizing the word.
"Why that’s absurd!"
"Doctor, that doesn’t answer the question. Don’t you really think that men are the weaker sex?"