Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney/Episode 5: Rise from the Ashes/Day 3 - Trial Former

This is a very confusing case indeed. The same person was killed in two places at the same time. In the Defendant's Lobby, Lana will tell you that despite a long questioning, the police are entirely clueless, and even Lana is in the dark.

You begin in Courtroom mode with Edgeworth stating that it takes 30 minutes to get from the Police Station to the Prosecutor's Office, and yet Goodman disappeared from the former and was found at the latter. Edgeworth promises to bring accurate evidence to court. He calls Mike Meekins to the stand.

Meekins promptly admits to the murder. However, Edgeworth still demands that Meekins give the report about the murder.

Crime Report, Sir!: Cross-examination
Press all of Meekins' statements. Meekins was assigned to guard The Blue Badger (the dancing contraption in front of the Police Department). It was during the ceremony, so Meekins had to put it in the Evidence Room. Meekins needed an ID Card to enter the Evidence Room. Meekins reveals his ID Number, 4989596. If you look carefully, the number was used twice; 25 minutes before the crime, and around the same time as Goodman! The first time was for relocating The Blue Badger, the second time was to get it back. The ID Card Record will be updated in the Court Record. When Meekins saw the knife, he was swinging his arms, cutting his hand in the process. Meekins eventually disarmed Goodman, who, with a mess of Meekins' blood, punched Meekins in the face. Meekins was slapped awake at 5:30 PM. Afterwards he went to finish his deed, to put The Blue Badger back in its place.

The judge believes he has heard an accurate testimony, but one thing remains unclear, was the man murdered at the Police Station really Goodman? Meekins then presents a video tape of the murder sent in by Chief Gant. Meekins was told to erase it, but couldn't do so. You then see the tape.

Here is the description of the tape. The camera pans left and right:


 * Right view 1: Nothing interesting here, maybe.
 * Left view 1: Goodman walks by.
 * Right' view 2: Goodman opens his locker.
 * Left view 2: Meekins walks by.
 * Right view 3: Meekins and Goodman notice each other and begin fighting.
 * Left view 3: The fight continues as the camera faces away from them.
 * Right view 4: The fight just passes as we see Meekins knocked out cold. We don't see Goodman for some reason.
 * Left view 4: Nothing interesting here, maybe.

As you can see in everyone's faces, while it proves Meekins did encounter someone and there was some activity, the tape doesn't show the man's face, and what happened. Edgeworth tells Meekins to describe the man.

Mystery Man: Cross-examination
Press Meekins' fifth statement. Edgeworth asks if there is a problem with the video tape. Say "There is a problem." You then examine the tape.


 * Right view 1: Look at Goodman's locker. It's lit up! Present it. If the locker was lit, that means it was open. Goodman's locker was lit, so it was already opened. The judge wants you to show why. You examine the tape again.


 * Right view 2: If you look closely at Goodman's locker as it opens, you see something fall out. Pause at the right time and present it. When the locker was closed, the the object might have been stuck between the door and the sensor.

The judge wants you to present the thin insulator. Present the rubber glove. It says "SL-9 Incident," and with this glove, anyone could have opened the locker. Edgeworth isn't willing to give in, as he has Meekins testify more about the tape.

Meekins' Testimony: Mystery Man (2)
Edgeworth even has the ID Card Record to prove that Goodman's card was used. It was due to transferals, but why a few people? You begin the cross-examination.

Mystery Man (2): Cross-examination
On Meekins' fourth statement, present Goodman's Lost Item Report. Goodman has lost something important to him - likely his ID Card, since it wasn't with him on the day of the crime. This proves that the man that Meekins encountered was not Goodman. Edgeworth then makes a conclusion: if that's true, then the murder might not have taken place in the Evidence Room, so what the camera shows is fake, thus, the primary location of the murder is the Underground Parking Lot, with Lana Skye the defendant.

Object to this. While the camera doesn't show the moment of the murder, it is still related to the case. Time to call someone to the stand. If asked who, choose Jake Marshall. Edgeworth agrees, and calls him to the stand. The judge calls a 30 minute recess.

Recess
Lana tells Phoenix that Marshall knows something. Lana seems to know something about the case herself, but doesn't want to talk about it, even to her sister. Why? Gumshoe then comes in to bring files from the SL-9 Incident, at Lana's request. It is also revealed that Lana was a witness on that case. The SL-9 Incident Files will be added to the Court Record. In there, you see a list of people involved in the case known as the "Joe Darke Killings," and one of them is Ema, who runs off crying after seeing it. Gumshoe leaves too, and Lana wishes you the best of luck.

Back in court, Ema hasn't come back, so you won't have any help this time. Edgeworth calls Jake Marshall to the stand. He testifies about the day of the crime.

Marshall's Testimony: Day of the Crime
Two security systems? Marshall is talking about the security camera, and the ID card reader. He doesn't know about the lockers though.

Day of the Crime: Cross-examination
It's finally time to use that trump card. Present Marshall's Fingerprints on Marshall's fourth statement. If Marshall wasn't at the department, why were Marshall's bloody fingerprints on one of the lockers? Marshall denies it, but Edgeworth has him testify about the fingerprints.

Bloodstained Fingerprints: Cross-examination
Press Marshall's first statement. Marshall tells you that it was his locker the handprint was on, so it wouldn't be a surprise that Marshall's fingerprints were on it. Marshall's Fingerprints will be updated in the Court Record.

The murderer was wearing gloves? Press Marshall's fifth statement. How does he know about that? Edgeworth states that they tried out the prints and found nothing, so they assumed that the murderer was wearing gloves. Marshall presents the video tape, which he says catches it all. Marshall adds this to his testimony.
 * "Too bad it wasn't me in that video, right, pardner?"

Press on that statement. The camera was moving back and forth and it doesn't show the floor, so if someone was familiar with the movement, he could have found a way to leave the room without getting caught. The judge wants to know if you have any proof. Choose "Show evidence," and you'll examine the tape.


 * Left view 4: Look at Jake's locker. There is a piece of cloth sticking out. If you rewind it, you'll see it wasn't there before.

Present this to court. If that locker can only be opened by Marshall, then he might have put the cloth in there, thus proving that the Goodman in this video was indeed Marshall. Marshall wants proof.

Present the evidence locker, and Marshall will freak, as he didn't know about the new lockers.

The judge wants Marshall to testify, but Phoenix wants to find out himself. The judge asks you to show where Marshall was. You examine the Floor Plans. Present the victim's spot. It is clear that it was Goodman's spot, but recall Meekins' story: if he asked Goodman for his ID Card, why didn't he just show it, rather than have his knife out? Because if Marshall did show Goodman's ID Card, his cover would have been blown.

Marshall is still not giving up as you still don't have any solid proof. You don't have any, but Edgeworth says you should go back to the basics. Instead of showing direct evidence, show evidence for a reason for Marshall to put the cloth in the locker. The tape should answer your questions, so you look at the tape once more.


 * Right view 3: Pause just as Goodman (if he is Goodman) lunges at Meekins. There's blood on his shoulder, lot's of it!

Present this to the court. There was lot's of blood on it, so it would be too obvious that he fought Meekins. So someone had to hide it, and that hiding spot must be Jake Marshall's locker.

Marshall says, "Are you happy now Edgeworth?" for two years ago, when Miles' persistence got Marshall into this mess. The judge has Marshall confess.

Marshall's Testimony: Marshall's Confession
No murder huh? Then why was there large amounts of blood on the floor? Marshall says Meekins was the donor, since he cut his hand, but isn't that a little too much blood?

Marshall's Confession: Cross-examination
Press all of Marshall's statements.


 * First statement: He couldn't just let the SL-9 Incident die, he wanted to look at the evidence one last time. He wasn't in charge for that case. That's his reason for stealing Goodman's ID and clothing.
 * Second statement: The reason he stole Goodman's ID and clothing was because if he was caught taking evidence, he would be caught stealing. He fooled the camera too, but there was one thing he didn't count on, fingerprints. He managed to open the door, so Goodman might have opened the door before Marshall.
 * Third statement: Marshall expected to be there for about five minutes, but he didn't expect Meekins to be in that room. Marshall was still holding the knife he used to cut Meekins' hand.
 * Fourth statement:' He knew the tape would be erased soon, but with the commotion with Meekins, he had to do something not to get caught.
 * Fifth statement: When Marshall opened Goodman's locker, the evidence was actually missing. According to Edgeworth, it hasn't been found yet.

Phoenix asks Marshall why he went through such lengths trying to get the evidence (i.e. stealing a detective's ID, injuring a police officer, etc.). Marshall wanted evidence he was satisfied with, and adds this to his testimony.
 * "I can't just forget the SL-9 Incident... You know why?"

Press on that statement. Though the serial killings of "Joe Darke" were solved two years ago, Marshall felt that something wasn't right. He didn't know what, so you have to give him a reason. Present the SL-9 Incident Files to the same statement (just after the fifth). There is the name of another Marshall, "Neil Marshall." Jake Marshall says Neil was his brother and a prosecutor, just like Edgeworth. He was the one that handled the Incident, but he was killed, so Edgeworth had to take it himself.

Neil and Jake once worked with a group of detectives led by Damon Gant. They were desperate for answers. Eventually Neil fought Darke, but was killed, and thus, left evidence they needed. But Marshall knew his brother would never lose a fight, so in the last day the files could be reopened, he stole an ID, intended to steal evidence, and ended up assaulting a police officer.

The good news is, now you know what happened at the Police Department. The bad news is, this also makes Lana, your client, the primary suspect again. Seeing Lana as the only person who could have committed the crime, the judge begins to declare a verdict, but is stopped.

It's Ema! Ema wants the judge to hear you out. After seeing her name in the SL-9 Incident files, Ema went to the Evidence Room again to recheck the handprint on Gumshoe's locker, but she found nothing again. She leaves you to do the talking, but you have nothing. The judge asks you if there is something not right with the handprint. Say "I object." Something might not have been drawn in the Floor Plans. If it wasn't, then the handprint may change the case. If asked what could have been drawn on there, Present The Blue Badger panel. The Blue Badger was dancing at the time the fight took place, and, from where it was dancing, it would've been impossible to place a handprint on Gumshoe's locker.

Ema comes back with a solution. If the print wasn't there during the fight, it may have been put there before the fight happened. Thus, blood was spilled at the Evidence Room twice! So, something might have happened in there before the commotion was caught on tape. However, you need proof, so when you get the chance, Present the ID Card Record. If the murder took place before the fight, it would be either 4:20 PM or 4:40 PM. But it would've been impossible for Edgeworth to clean up the act before Meekins brought The Blue Badger, so the only remaining number is "7777777." If Goodman lost that ID Card that day, then he could've walked in with the real murderer. The judge asks if Edgeworth knows the holder of this ID. However, Edgeworth doesn't, as he doesn't have the authority to look up someone as high as an executive, unless he or she is charged with a crime.

Just by that, Marshall mocks Edgeworth with his "cover-ups" and "forgeries" and says, "That's how the Prosecutor's Office operates!" Edgeworth wants Marshall to keep his "slander" to himself. Marshall then asks a question of Lana, "In that trial two years ago... did you really use legitimate evidence?" Lana says when she became a prosecutor, she thought she could suppress the law, but was the one being suppressed.

Lana then answers Marshall's question to Edgeworth, "Drastic times require drastic measures... That's just the way it is. We did what we had to... in order to get the verdict he deserved. Even if it involved 'forging' evidence."

Lana's last bit leaves the court in such a ruckus, that the judge is forced to adjourn court for the day.

Investigation mode
Back at Wright & Co. Law Offices, Ema apologizes for what Lana said, and wonders if that had something to do with her. Ema reveals that the the night Marshall's brother was murdered, Joe Darke tried to kill her. Neil tried to save her, but lost the battle to the death, therefore Ema was a witness in the case. Talk to Ema:


 * SL-9 Incident: She was at her sister's office planning to eat dinner that night. Suddenly, Darke barged in and attacked Ema. Neil came in and fought Darke. As one of them held up a knife, lightning struck giving Ema a picture she'd never forget.

When she was called to the stand, Ema tried to say something, but couldn't, so Lana had to make up bogus evidence, and gave it to Edgeworth. She hasn't been the same since, but has grown colder like she is to this day. Something puzzles Phoenix: why would Darke run into the Chief's Office?


 * Something Puzzling: Darke was taken in for questioning and ran halfway through the interview. The Chief's Office was just across from an elevator. Lana was actually the best detective there was, so after the case, she was promoted to be Chief Prosecutor.

Lana was a detective? Move to the Detention Center to talk to her.

Detention Center
Talk to Lana:


 * Today's Trial: Ema believed that Lana would stick to the truth and asks why Lana wouldn't say something. Lana says she isn't the only one involved.
 * Detective Lana Skye: Lana and Gant were brilliant detectives back then. They solved cases before they were even reported. After the incident, she transferred to being Chief Prosecutor, because it was her reason to become a detective; to have enough experience to become a prosecutor.
 * Darke investigation: She and Damon Gant shared the same occupation and office. They both led a team of detectives, two of which were Marshall and Starr. Jake worked with his brother for the first time. When the fight at the office occurred, Lana was the first one there.
 * First one at scene: Lana was at the Police Department filing papers when Darke escaped the questioning. After the crime, Lana was the first to reach the crime scene. Therefore everyone was involved in that case.

Phoenix doesn't believe it; although the case was "solved" two years ago, someone like Marshall thought it wasn't quite legitimate. You should probably go check the Chief's Office for more information. Move to the Criminal Affairs Dept.

Criminal Affairs Department
You find nothing interesting here, and you won't find Gumshoe. Move to the Police Dept. Entrance.

Police Department Entrance
You'll find Marshall. Talk to him.


 * Darke trial: It wasn't only Marshall who thought the trial was fishy, but other investigators as well. Though the murder weapon was the Switchblade Knife, it didn't fit the Autopsy Report, so there is a chance that the knife may not have been the murder weapon. The case left scars on everyone.
 * Prosecutor Marshall: Jake and Neil were brothers. It was their first case together. Neil was 27 at the time he died. Two years have already passed. Jake has always tried to get the evidence.
 * Scars: All the detectives were very suspicious of the trial. After the trial, Angel was fired, and Jake was demoted. If they did the same to Goodman, everyone would have been really suspicious of Gant and Skye, so he kept his job.
 * Gant and Skye: When Gant became Chief of Police, he promoted Lana to Chief Prosecutor. However, she hasn't been the same ever since. Why? Marshall doesn't know, as Lana might have a secret she's been hiding from two years ago.

Marshall is done with his story, and tells you that Edgeworth presented the evidence because Damon Gant gave it to him. He then leaves, saying he won't be working with you anymore. Move to the Criminal Affairs Dept.

Criminal Affairs Department (2)
Still nothing there, but the Chief Detective tells you everyone is in the conference room. You'll also learn where Gant's Office is. Move to the Chief's Office.

Chief's Office
After a few minutes of sight-seeing, you'll meet Gant, who puts a piece of paper in his desk after he comes in. Gant shows you a picture hanging on his wall. It's Lana, Neil, and Gant. Something is weird in the picture, but you can't put your finger on it. The Gant Team Picture will be added to the Court Record. Gant then decides to lock up the room, and takes you with him. He is kicking you out? Against your request? Move to the Criminal Affairs Dept.

Criminal Affairs Department (3)
You meet Gumshoe, who was serving coffee in the meeting, saying that Edgeworth is now "under fire" since the rumors were true. Talk to Gumshoe.


 * Edgeworth's crisis: Things haven't been going well for Edgeworth since the rumors were proven true. Lana is the guilty party, but Edgeworth is the one responsible. Gumshoe is very worried about him.
 * SL-9 Incident: Gumshoe learned about the incident in the papers. He doesn't know about who he was protecting. Darke was found Guilty, because he left behind crucial evidence, the murder weapon.

Maybe presenting the Switchblade Knife would jog his memory. Talk to him when it happens.


 * Murder weapon: The weapon was owned by Darke. The tip that was broken off was, in fact, found in Neil's body. Neil's Autopsy Report and the Switchblade Knife will be updated in the Court Record.
 * Darke's crimes: Darke was actually just an average businessman, until one day, when he accidentally hit someone with his car. Desperate, he killed a man who witnessed it, killed a lady who witnessed that crime, killed a child who witnessed that crime, and killed a jogger who saw him bury the bodies. He finally gave himself up afterwards.

There was a good chance he would've gotten away with it, except for the incident at the Chief's Prosecutor's Office, where he lost his chance.

You ask Gumshoe if he could let you into the Chief's Office. He doesn't know, as letting a civilian into the Chief's Office would result in him losing his job. You need to find something to help him change his mind. Move to the Underground Parking Lot.

Underground Parking Lot
Everyone seems to be in the Evidence Room. You've proven that there wasn't a murder here, but you've also made Lana seem even more guilty. Move to the Chief Prosecutor's Office.

Chief Prosecutor's Office
You'll see Edgeworth, who is writing something, before throwing it on the ground upon seeing you come in. Talk to Edgeworth:


 * Forged evidence: Edgeworth blames himself for the forged evidence. If someone else in the department is responsible, so is Edgeworth. The prosecutors and detectives share the same bond. If broken, everything would fall apart.
 * Tomorrow's trial: It's too late to change prosecutors. Edgeworth is still haunted by the case. The evidence list seemed short, almost half of a normal list.
 * The day of the crime: Edgeworth was finished with work that morning, but came back at the request of Gant, to bring back a screwdriver.

Present to Edgeworth with the Gant Team Picture. Ema notices that Neil's trophy is different from Edgeworth's.


 * Prosecutor's trophy: Edgeworth then tells you the story behind the trophy. An ancient Chinese tale says this:

An arms merchant presented the emperor a halberd that could penetrate any shield and armor, and a shield that could withstand any weapon. The emperor then spotted what would be called a contradiction, and thus, the broken halberd and shield in the trophy would symbolize the tale.

But there is only a shield on there. The halberd part was removed two years ago. Edgeworth tells you to ask Gant. The Prosecutor's Trophy will be updated in the Court Record.

Examine the piece of paper under Edgeworth's desk. It's a letter of... resignation? Edgeworth feels as if something has died inside him. He could not forgive himself for the path on which he had walked. The Letter of Resignation will be added to the Court Record.

Move to the Underground Parking Lot.

Underground Parking Lot (2)
You'll meet Angel, who is quite annoyed to see you left out what she saw two days ago. Talk to Angel:


 * Darke investigation: They trailed Darke for a very long time, until the night Neil was killed. Everyone was very appalled by this, especially Jake, who was haunted by his brother's death, which, in turn, affected Lana.
 * After case closed: All detectives, except for Goodman, were relieved of their duties, without an explanation. Then Lana became Chief Prosecutor. Angel says that Lana may have been used.
 * 'Legendary duo: Gant was very famous back then, because he could find any evidence, so he had rumors around him too, thanks to certain evidence.

Jake was shocked at his brother's death, and Lana was shocked due to something else, with similar feeling. Lana became a very cold woman.


 * Being "used": Angel suspects that Lana probably took the job under Gant's orders. Since the Chief Prosecutor could control the Prosecutor's Office, controlling the Chief Prosecutor would mean doing so as well. Since the case, Lana became colder than she had been, so that could be the reason for her change.

Finally, you are getting closer to the bottom of this. Move to the Criminal Affairs Dept.

Criminal Affairs Department (4)
You'll meet Gumshoe, who still refuses to let you into the office. You need something to change his mind.

Present Edgeworth's Letter of Resignation to Gumshoe, who'll be shocked at seeing this. Edgeworth trusted detectives to give him sound evidence, but was betrayed. Gumshoe feels very sorry and would do anything for Edgeworth now. He then makes up his mind and gives you his ID Card. Gumshoe's ID Card will be added to the Court Record. Move to the Chief's Office.

Chief's Office (2)
You arrived at the Office... followed by Gumshoe, who was worried something might go wrong. Why did he give you his ID Card anyway? Gumshoe's ID Card will be removed from the Court Record. Talk to Gumshoe.


 * The Chief's Office: This is where Ema was waiting for her sister. The left side of the room was Lana's. Both she and Gant used to work together in this room. Now it's all Gant's.
 * Chief Gant: Something had been bothering Gumshoe since you wanted to look around his office for the SL-9 Incident. Could Gant be a suspect for that case? You can't say anything about him... yet.

Examine a safe on Gant's side of the room. It looks like you need a code to open it. You have a choice, choose "Input number." At the bottom of the screen, you'll find a keypad like you would find on a phone. Type in "7777777" and the safe will open.

7777777? That's the ID number of the executive that entered the Evidence Room on the day of the crime! Gumshoe says this is Gant's number. No time for chat though, examine the safe again and you'll find a broken piece of a jar, and a piece of cloth with a handprint on it. Gumshoe wants to know if there is a connection between the two pieces and the case.

Start with the shard. Present the Unstable Jar to Gumshoe. Remember yesterday, you found pieces like this and put it together. Gumshoe then notices the possible connection. You have a choice, choose "Assemble fragments," and you'll put the final piece in there.


 * Fragment No. 1: Rotate left once.

It fits! Gant was obviously hiding the fragment in there. He was hiding valuable evidence in there! But why? Gumshoe then points out something. There's blood on it! Could this be part of the reason?

Now for the cloth. Present the fingerprinting set. You choose a finger you want to test: the middle fingerprint in this instance. Once you start, sprinkle all around the touch screen and blow. After the fingerprint is clear, you get to choose its owner. It's Ema Skye's! What? How? This seems to be a very grim piece of evidence, but you can't tell Ema about this for now. The Strip of Cloth will be added to the Court Record.

Examine Gant's desk. The first time you came in here, he hid something he was reading from you. It's an evidence list saying, "SL-9 Incident!" Remember, Edgeworth said the evidence list is twice as short as an average one. This may be another list, therefore a ripped off half of the list! The Evidence List will be added to the Court Record.

Gant is obviously hiding something! Speaking of Gant, uh-oh! He somehow sneaked in to see you three in his room. He has you and Gumshoe leave. But has Ema stay for questioning. You automatically go to the Detention Center.

Detention Center (2)
What Lana has told you over the past few days is nothing useful. Talk to Lana:


 * Hiding something: She said that she stabbed Goodman, but there is no supporting evidence. It could be for somebody - somebody she is afraid of. If Lana asks you who that person is, answer "Damon Gant."
 * Damon Gant: Lana had forged evidence for Edgeworth to present. However, unbeknownst to Edgeworth, Lana had help from Gant. Lana wants proof. Present to her the Evidence List. Lana finally gives in, and tells you that three days ago, Lana had to follow orders about the murder.
 * "Orders": She had orders from Gant to dispose of Goodman's body. If that is true, Lana might not have killed Goodman. When Lana opened Edgeworth's trunk, she found Darke's knife plunged inside him, so she took the knife out, and plunged Edgeworth's knife inside instead. That's when Angel saw her. What about the knife?
 * Darke's Knife: Lana wanted the SL-9 Incident not to open again, so after she stabbed Goodman, or rather his body, she called Ema to tell her she hid the knife in the car's muffler. Before she followed orders, Lana called Marshall, thinking she could trust him for something. But since he didn't want the case to die, he decided to collect the evidence himself.

Lana is finished talking with you, and doesn't want you to pursue this further in court.

It looks like you're done for today. Tomorrow you'll have to prove the mystery behind Goodman's murder, the SL-9 Incident, and Lana's secret.