“Despite the district attorney’s assertions,” DeFiore begins, “this case isn’t about money, power, or privilege. Nor is it about violence. So, what is it about? Well, let’s start with the evidence we know to be true. The facts both sides agree on, and witness testimony supports. Fact one: Billy Quinn and Diana Holly had an intimate relationship. Fact two: this relationship started in June, the summer before their junior year at Princeton University. Fact three: the couple ended this relationship in December, six months later. Fact four: the couple kept in touch, sporadically, between December and March. Fact five: Diana invited Billy to a party on the evening of March 24. Fact six: the couple engaged in sexual intercourse on the evening of March 24.

“This, unfortunately, is where our agreement ends, and disagreements begin. The State wants you to believe Billy Quinn and Diana Holly dated only briefly. However, we will introduce Deacon Porter, Billy’s best friend, who will testify that he joined the couple on dates from June through December. Similarly, both sides disagree on what happened during their relationship and who eventually broke it off. We disagree on what happened in the aftermath of that breakup. We disagree on the reason Diana invited Billy to the party. We disagree on what happened at that party. We disagree on whether or not the sex was consensual.”

Hearing this, I sit more comfortably. Nate and my parents do too. DeFiore is competent, holding his own. Thank fucking God.

“While each of these points makes for compelling discussion, this case is not about what we agree on and what we don’t. So, I’ll ask again: What is this case about? Why are you here? What are you being asked to decide?”

Looking at the jury, DeFiore makes eye contact with each member, one by one.

“This case lies in the answer to three questions. One, did Billy Quinn believe that Diana Holly wanted to have sex on March 24? Two, did Diana lose consciousness on March 24; and, if so, was this before she and Billy engaged in sex? Three, if Diana was unresponsive before they engaged in sex, did Billy know it? That’s it—three questions.

“During this trial, you will hear witness testimony about the charges against my client. Each charge relates to these questions. To be perfectly frank, as Mr. Anderson and I present our cases, much of the issues we discuss will have nothing to do with the charges against my client, or the three questions you must answer. Regardless, you’ll be expected to listen, remain objective, consider the evidence you have seen and heard, and reach a verdict. Most important, you must reach your verdict with the absence of doubt. This means the State must prove that the answer to these three questions is yes. An unequivocal yes.”

“He’s good, right?” I whisper to Nate.

“Yeah, he’s great. So shut up.”