The little girl hadn’t spoken since the night her mother was found on the kitchen floor! Then the court dog lowered his head-and she whispered one sentence toward the defense table…

in that particular way people looked when they had come for someone else’s pain. A courtroom sketch artist sat near the aisle, sharpening a pencil over a paper cup. Even Deputy Harris, who could usher a room through arraignments, plea hearings, and shouting relatives without blinking, kept checking the side door.

Assistant District Attorney Ava Bennett continue reading …