Chapter 19 - THE STAFF MEMBER WHO CHANGES HIS STATEMENT
The club’s assistant manager, Russell Dean, initially said he did not hear Octavia order the chain.
Later, he changed his statement.
That looked suspicious.
Defense attacked immediately.
Why change?
Russell explained:
He was afraid of losing his job.
He had lied by omission.
Then he produced a voice memo.
Not secretly recorded for evidence.
His phone had been recording notes for a wine inventory when Octavia entered the service corridor.
Audio captured part of the exchange.
Octavia:
“He runs again, secure the ankle.”
Maintenance supervisor:
“Mrs. Ferretti, he’s a child.”
Octavia:
“Then he’ll learn faster.”
Short.
Ugly.
Authenticity verified.
Metadata supported timing.
No mysterious stranger.
No convenient hidden camera.
An existing recording with a mundane reason for being active.
Russell admitted he should have disclosed it earlier.
Prosecutors turned it over immediately.
Defense received full copy.
Good.
May you like
The changed testimony made him imperfect.
The recording made the specific fact stronger.
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