*Where?*

The most important parts of a trial are the opening and closing arguments. The attorneys either convince the jury or dissuade them, either way the defendants fate depends on their influences.

Day two of the trial had been chaotic, the courtroom was crowded with speculators, family members of the victim and members of the court. Forensic Pathologist Daniel Rhodes was present as well.

Prosecuting Attorney Richard Means called him to the stand.

"Raise your right hand, do swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The bailiff asked while swearing him in.

After agreeing to abide, he unbuttoned his suit coat and sat on the stand.

Beside him was a demonstration board with pictures, the reverse facing the court. They were labeled Exhibit A and B.

Gemini was being tried for two murders, separately.

"Could u describe for the court the manner of death the victim died?" Means asked the pathologist.

"Certainly," he said.

"The victim sustained blunt force trauma to the cerebral cortex and skull, and his brain stem had been severed with a sharp object. Also digits 2 3 and 4 on his left hand had been amputated with a jagged object."

"And u estimate the time of death would have been...?" Means asked.

Looking at the copy of the autopsy report that laid on the podium, he answered, "At approximately 1800 hours."

"So about 6-ish?" the attorney asked.

"Correct" the balding man said adjusting his glasses with his finger.

"Had samples of body fluids been taken to determine cause and time of death?" Means inquired.

"Yes. samples were taken from the victim. There were prescription drugs, Xanax and Percocet present as well a large amount of opioids." He stated.

"I see. What were the contents in his stomach?" Means asked if he had already known the answer, directing his focus to his next question.

"There were no stomach contents, he hadn't consumed any food or liquids in 72 hours. His feces determined he'd ingested a large amount of iodine days before, perhaps seafood." Rhodes said.

Requesting he present Exhibit A to the court, and given permission he picked up the pointer as the bailiff flipped over the exhibit of Jermell Pressley's charred remains. The 210 pound man's remains were labeled to be 34.01 kilograms.

There were outbursts and crying in the courtroom as the judge banged his gavel calling order.

His teeth were visible and his eyes stared lifelessly.

Pointing to the picture he addressed the abrasion across his forehead.

"This abrasion resulted from a blunt object used with force, which likely caused blindness and lack of use of hands as well as any motor skills such as speech," Rhodes described.

Requesting exhibit B, the bailiff turned the obverse visible. There were silent gasps.

There were 9 fingers, burned and amputated on Exhibit B.

He pointed at 3 that were separate from the other 6.

"These were recovered, belonging to the victim, removed most likely as a torture tactic at the warehouse," he said.

"So what was the cause of death determined?" Means asked.

"Blunt Force Trauma to the head." He answered.

"No further questions," Means said before retiring to the Prosecution table. District Attorney Sarah Mulberry winked at Means as he unbuttoned his suit coat and sat down.

The defense attorney took the floor.

"Were any fluid samples taken from the "crime scene" ? She asked.

"Yes, they were taken from the victim", he stated.

"But none from the actual crime scene, the warehouse?"

"Well no, the evidence had been destroyed in the fire." Rhodes said in defense.

"And where do u think he was killed?" She asked.

"The warehouse where his body was found." He said, thinking about his answer afterward.

"And no search for body fluids had been conducted? I mean, if there is a crime scene a thorough investigation has to be done, correct?" Bridges asked.

Moving along after the rhetorics she said, "Where was he killed?"

"The warehouse," he answered after uncomfortably glancing at the jury.

"How would u know? Sure, thats where he was found. But u also stated arson was not the cause of death. How do u know if he had not been taken there...after he was killed?My defendant was seen leaving the scene 5 minutes after 9 on November 9th, the time arson investigators said the blaze started. He had arrived only 15 minutes before. How could he have killed two people, and set the place on fire in that amount of time? Sure, its possible but where is the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt if samples from the crime scene weren't taken," She aggressively asked.

"His prints were found," he said, turning red.

"Isn't it possible he was killed somewhere else? Where are the fluids that suggest the crime took place in the warehouse?"

"Yes it's possible but unlikely." He answered.

"How long had he been deceased before the fire started?" Bridges inquired with confidence.

"Objection Your Honor! She's badgering the witness!" Means yelled.

"Sustained..." Judge Morehouse said, awaiting an answer.

"15 hours," Rhodes mumbled.

"No further questions," She said before sitting back down.

The jury watched as the Pathologist left the stand, mentally discrediting his testimony. The time of death on the autopsy report had not coincided with the time the blaze was set.