“First,” says Bastinelli, “we need to acknowledge the proverbial elephant in the room—or the donkey, depending on your political persuasion.” This gets a small chuckle from a few jurors.

“Of course I’m talking about the defendant’s famous name, his past glory as an athlete, his honored position as the First Gentleman of the United States, and his personal power and influence in the country.”

Bastinelli pivots and points directly at Cole Wright. “But in this room, he’s a defendant, nothing more, nothing less.”

He turns back to the jury. “You’ve all heard the phrase equal justice under the law. And it’s important to remember what it means as this trial begins. It means that every defendant—rich or poor, doctor or factory worker—must be treated the same when they are accused of a crime.”

Bastinelli pauses. When he speaks again, his tone shifts. “But we all live in the real world. And we all know of many, many instances where the scales of justice have been tipped to favor people with money or influence.”

He’s got the jury hooked now. I see a few heads nodding.

Bastinelli rests his hands on the rail of the jury box and leans forward. “But not here, not in New Hampshire. Every four years, this state welcomes men and women with fame and power—people who are seeking the highest office in the land. And we meet them eye to eye, as equals. That’s what I’m asking you to do here, as good citizens of New Hampshire. For the duration of this trial, you must ignore Cole Wright’s fame and power and focus on his words, his actions, and his deeds. Then, and only then, can justice be done.”

Bastinelli looks each juror in the eye, then turns, walks back to the lectern, and opens his binder. “Your Honor, State’s exhibit one.”

With a click of a controller, Bastinelli lights up a large video screen with an image of Suzanne Bonanno in her Patriots cheerleader uniform and full makeup, looking poised and glamorous.

The jurors go wide-eyed, as if they’ve glimpsed a Hollywood starlet.

“This is the victim, Suzanne Bonanno,” says Bastinelli. “By all accounts, Suzanne was warm, personable, and friendly to everyone. She was a professional cheerleader for the New England Patriots but was already thinking beyond her cheerleading career and had a potential job with Fidelity Investments in Boston. Suzanne Bonanno’s future was bright, full of promise.

“But that future was tragically and criminally cut short—at a time when she was the girlfriend of a New England Patriots football player. That football player was Cole Wright.”

Bastinelli leaves the image of Suzanne on the screen as he crosses back to the jury box.