Chapter 9 - The relative video
Eric Hartmann, Daniel’s cousin, gave us the Thanksgiving video.
With everyone’s counsel aware.
No secret editing.
Twenty-eight seconds.
He had been filming his daughter across the table because she was making turkey shapes out of mashed potatoes.
Then his phone caught Margaret carrying the dog bowl.
She placed it at Evan’s seat.
Eric laughed once.
Not at Evan.
At first because he thought she was moving Murphy’s dish.
Then Margaret sat down.
Evan arrived.
The frame captured enough.
“Since you eat like an animal, this suits you perfectly.”
A couple adults laughed.
One said:
“Margaret.”
Not strongly.
Evan froze.
I came into frame from the kitchen.
“Daniel. Say something.”
Daniel’s face.
That became the hardest part for me to watch.
He looked at the bowl.
Then at his mother.
Then at Evan.
Then down.
Not confusion.
Decision.
Small.
Fast.
Still decision.
Then I moved.
The video ended after somebody shouted.
My assault was partly outside frame.
Enough witness testimony existed anyway.
Eric apologized.
“I should’ve said something.”
“Yes.”
“I thought she’d switch it out.”
“So did everyone.”
“I know.”
He looked sick.
“I laughed for one second.”
“I heard.”
“I wasn’t laughing at him.”
“I believe you.”
That distinction relieved him.
Good.
Truth does not have to maximize guilt.
Then he asked:
“Are you going to post this?”
“No.”
“Good.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because Evan’s face.”
There.
May you like
His humiliation did not need an audience.
Evidence and exposure were different.
