Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney/Episode 5: Rise from the Ashes/Day 4 - Trial Former

Today is played fully in Courtroom mode. You start out at the Defendant's Lobby, but you don't find Lana or Ema. Edgeworth comes to tell you that the reason the trial didn't reach a verdict is because there was still doubt in the ID Card Record. If Goodman wasn't in the Evidence Room, then Lana will be found Guilty. You know she isn't, and you have to find the truth from her. Gant and Lana are obviously hiding something from you, and you need to find out what!

The trial begins
As trial starts, Gant takes the stand to make a proposal to have Lana speak to the court.

Lana wants the trial to end immediately, and once again confesses to the murder. She even forfeits her rights to your protection. The judge agrees and reaches his verdict.

Before he can do so, however, Edgeworth objects, stating he didn't prove Lana's guilt. Gant, hearing this, tells Edgeworth to keep quiet. Edgeworth refuses, and suspects that the sudden confession must relate to a deal made some time ago. Edgeworth calls a new witness to the stand: Ema. Lana objects, not wanting to hear Ema's testimony, but Edgeworth tells Lana they are doing this to find the truth, no matter how tragic it may be. However, it would be even more tragic if one averts his eyes away from it. The court proceeds to bring her up to the stand and she testifies about two years ago.

Two Years Ago: Cross-examination
Press Ema's fourth statement. As Darke jumped on Neil, a terrible storm outside caused a blackout. Ema tells Goodman about the image left in her mind. You have a choice to move on or not. Choose "Hear more." Ema couldn't say anything, so she instead drew a picture. When given the choice, "Ask about the picture." The judge asks Ema to add it to her testimony.
 * "I drew a picture of that scene once... but it seems to have been lost."

Present the Evidence List on that statement. You hand the judge the list and ask him to turn it over. It's the drawing! Edgeworth scolds Phoenix for having what the prosecution should have. The judge notices a list Edgeworth is holding, and finds that the two lists are from the same case. If Edgeworth was handed the sheet he has, then he was only given half of what they found. If that is true, then there could be more of the drawing on the back of Edgeworth's list. There is, and it looks like the head of The Blue Badger! The Evidence List will be updated in the Court Record.

The judge has Ema testify about the drawing. As Ema looks at the picture, she seems to be thinking about something, but what?

Ema's Picture: Cross-examination
On Ema's fourth statement, present Neil's Autopsy Report. The judge wants you to find the contradiction. You examine the picture, and present the tip of the knife held by its wielder. If the Autopsy Report says Neil was stabbed once, the broken tip of the knife could not have been inside Neil. If the knife was broken beforehand, the blade might not have punctured him. If the knife's tip was found in Neil's body despite the facts, then the tip may be the falsified evidence given to Edgeworth!

Phoenix then recites the story. Darke was taken in for questioning after the awards ceremony. During the questioning, Darke fled to the Chief's Office. Neil chased after Darke, but was killed when he got there.

If the story was told this way, then one of the facts could be a lie. Ema denies it. Edgeworth concludes if that is true, then there could be another broken knife that killed Neil. When choosing to agree or not, choose "There is another one." When asked what the weapon is, present the Gant Team Picture. Edgeworth immediately sees what you are showing. The Prosecutor Award Neil was holding had a knife on it, with its tip broken off! Neil must have taken the blade out of the trophy and followed Darke to the Chief's Office. However, Edgeworth concludes that if that is true, the man Ema saw raising the knife was actually Neil! But Neil was the one who died, not Darke!

Before you can continue, Ema stops you, as she now remembers everything that happened that moment. She recalls drawing the picture on the back of Edgeworth's evidence list (the head of The Blue Badger). The judge has Ema testify about her recollection.

Ema's Testimony: Ema's Recollection
Edgeworth objects, saying that Gumshoe designed The Blue Badger just recently. If so what was it? Looks like a cross-examination would bring an answer.

Before you begin however, Lana tries stop you, not wanting to go any further. But Edgeworth tells Lana it's already too late. The judge has the bailiff detain Lana. With such an outburst like that, you may be getting close to her secret. You begin the cross-examination.

Ema's Recollection: Cross-examination
If that wasn't The Blue Badger Ema saw, then what is it? Present the Unstable Jar to Ema's fourth statement. It looks like it doesn't resemble The Blue Badger, but if you look at it at a different angle, you may see the resemblance. You automatically check the Unstable Jar.

The bottom of the jar, the small side, has to become the top ball on The Badger's head. The two handles go on either side of it. The top hole on the jar should be pointing towards you, and downward. If you see the resemblance, present it to the court.

Edgeworth wants to see your point. It doesn't look like it changes the case. When given a choice of answers, choose "The location." Remember the Gant Team Picture. It looks like there is a knight statue there with the jar. Remember when you visited the room. You saw that statue on Gant's side of the room. This means that the fight didn't take place on Lana's side of the office, but Gant's!

If that is true, then could the murderer have moved the bodies to Lana's side? If so then there has to be a reason, and you have to show it. There's no going back now.

The tragic truth?
Recall Ema's testimony. She said she pushed the man holding a knife after seeing him pull it up. When she did, the man knocked over the jar. And if that man was pushed in the direction he was going, he might have ran into the armor holding the sharp sword. It opens up another possibility of what happened.

If what you said was true, then Neil's death may have been caused by Ema's actions! Ema screams and faints upon hearing this.

Lana yells at you for pinning the crime on Ema, and wants proof that she did so. It seems like you don't have any, but Edgeworth tells Lana that Neil didn't die instantly, so it's a possibility that he wrote the name of the killer on something. Lana says it's impossible, and you are given a choice of whether you agree or not. Say the name "is in the evidence." Then present the Unstable Jar. There's blood on it, and it looks like Neil tried to write something, but it's been wiped off! Is it the killer's name? Looks like you'll have to connect the dots, literally.

Just tap on a dot and drag a line to the correct line. Make sure it spells "Ema" though. Then present it in court. As a defense attorney, you are defending someone. However you have proven her loved one to be a murderer. Gant takes the stand. He reminds Edgeworth that two years ago, he sentenced an innocent man to death, and to do that, he forged evidence to ensure his sentence. This leads the crowd into such an uproar, the judge calls a recess.

Recess
As you apologize to Edgeworth for what happened, Gumshoe comes in. Lana wanted Gumshoe to give you a book. The cover reads, "Evidence Law," and the book will be added to the Court Record. Lana also wanted him to tell you, "If you're planning to take him on, you're going to need this book."

Lana claimed to have stabbed Goodman, but he was already dead. So the real killer is still out there somewhere. This case has hurt many people. Edgeworth unknowingly used forged evidence to have an innocent man sentenced to death, and you have implicated your client's little sister as a murderer. This is a complete nightmare for everyone, and it's now up to you to end it.

Back in court, the judge tells Edgeworth that due to his actions, he will receive harsh penalties. Edgeworth heartily accepts... and has you call the next witness. Call Damon Gant to the stand. He led the SL-9 case first-hand, and you probably want to hear what he has to say.

Gant takes the stand and warns you he has "weapons" at his disposal. Gant begins to testify.

Gant's Testimony: SL-9 Incident
Gant says before Darke was arrested, he was knocked unconscious when Ema pushed Neil.

SL-9 Incident: Cross-examination
Gant is clearly lying. Present the Unstable Jar on Gant's fifth statement. Remember when you were at Gant's office. You found this in Gant's safe, and the second half of the Evidence List in Gant's desk. Gant denies it, saying you are probably forging the evidence. Even if Gumshoe was present, he still would've agreed to to do so.

The judge has Gant testify to prove his point.

Gant's Testimony: Evidence & Forgery
Gant warns you that consequences may be at hand when you slip up.

Evidence & Forgery: Cross-examination
Press on Gant's fifth statement. He probably rearranged the crime scene to get his Chief of Police position. However, Gant tells you that even if he didn't, he was still going to get the position anyway. So, he probably did that to help someone else. Gant denies it and says he only helps himself. The judge has Gant add that statement to his testimony.
 * "I wouldn't be anyone's 'accomplice' if there was nothing in it for me."

Press on that statement. There was "nothing in it" for him? Gant didn't really care that Lana was scared, so why would he help her? You are given a choice. Choose "Point out accomplice." The judge wants to know who. Present Lana Skye. If he appointed Lana Chief Prosecutor, he probably could have done it for his own profit. Meaning if he was playing with puppets, then he could have everyone do his bidding. If that is true, then Gant appointed Lana to Chief Prosecutor so he could control her.

Gant wants proof of your claim. Edgeworth states that in Goodman's case, Lana was acting strangely as if she was being "controlled." If that is true, then Gant probably forced Lana to prosecute herself for murder. If that is true, then he could be blackmailing Lana!

The judge wants you to prove Edgeworth's claim. Present the ID Card Record. The last remaining card number on the list is "7777777." That is the same number that unlocks Gant's safe in his office. This proves that Gant was at the Evidence Room on the day of the crime.

Gant wants to know what he was doing there. Edgeworth says he was there with Goodman. Gant wants proof. Present Goodman's Lost Item Report. In yesterday's court session, you found out that Marshall stole Goodman's ID Card on the day of the murder. Goodman could have filed the report to do one thing, to enter the Evidence Room to transfer the evidence of the SL-9 Incident. He used Gant's ID Card to do so. You also proved that Goodman may have entered the room with the real murderer, so it could be that Gant may just be that murderer.

Gant could have just lent the card to Goodman, but even if he had, the card would have been found on Goodman's body!

You have Gant on the ropes now. If he killed Goodman, then he probably would have called Lana to dispose of the body. But how could he have done so? Goodman was killed in the Evidence Room, but was found at the Prosecutor's Office.

The judge wants you to show how Gant managed to move the body. Present the Screwdriver. On the day of the crime, Gant told Edgeworth to take the Screwdriver to the Prosecutor's Office. Edgeworth did so, and parked at the Underground Parking Lot. Goodman's body was found in the trunk of Edgeworth's car, so it may be that Gant put Goodman's body in the trunk and Edgeworth moved the body to Gant's accomplice, Lana Skye.

Gant then decides to take a break. Remember as the Chief of Police, Gant has the authority to refuse to testify. He can leave the courthouse, unless you have concrete proof that he killed Goodman. You have a choice, choose "I have no no proof yet." Gant then leaves, and the judge penalizes you for accusing a Chief of murder.

Before the judge can do so, however, Edgeworth objects, saying there is someone else that could testify. You have the authority to call up witnesses. When given the choice, call "Lana Skye." The judge calls for a recess.

Before he can do so however, Gant takes the stand, warning Lana that if she agrees to help with Phoenix's claim, her sister will be found Guilty of Neil's murder.

Recess
Gunmshoe comes in saying he is now taking your assistant's place. (Maya?) Ema then walks in looking somewhat happy. She heard everything about the case. Lana was blackmailed by Gant to protect her little sister. She is also sad, because if it wasn't for her accidentally killing Neil, this probably wouldn't be happening right now. You step into the courtroom now, where hopefully Lana will tell the truth.

The judge calls Lana to the stand and has her testify about her relationship with Gant.

Gant & The Fabrication: Cross-examination
Press Lana's fourth statement. Lana says she arranged the crime scene, because she was the first to get there. She saw the knife from the Prosecutor's Trophy inside Neil's body. If that's true, then what happened to Darke's knife? Lana says it was lying on the ground. She adds what happened on her testimony.
 * "I broke off the tip of Darke's knife, planted it inside the wound, and moved the body."

She did what? Press on that statement. You are then given a choice of questions to ask. Ask "Why did you move the body?" She adds the answer in her testimony.
 * "The pieces of the jar that shattered during the events threatened my plan."

Present the Unstable Jar on that statement. If the jar was shattered during the crime, then he might not have written it, as the pieces were unreachable. The judge has Lana testify on Phoenix's claim.

Jar & Message in Blood: Cross-examination
On Lana's fourth statement, present the Unstable Jar. There was still one piece left that Lana didn't wipe off, and that piece was found in Gant's locker. When Lana hears this, she is stunned, just as you hoped. If Gant hid the final piece in his safe without Lana knowing, there's a chance it was hidden before Lana got there. If that is true, then Gant may have been the first person at the crime, not Lana!

What was Gant doing there? Why was he hiding this for two years? Edgeworth says that he helped Lana protect Ema. Lana still denies it, and scolds Phoenix for telling foul lies. Hearing this, Phoenix gets suspicious. What if this is what Gant is planning?

Phoenix then tells Lana to testify once more, saying that if Gant fabricated the evidence before Lana got there, then Ema's involvement may also be a lie. Lana is scared, but with Edgeworth's encouragement, she finally agrees to tell the truth.

Lana's Testimony: Actual Crime Scene
Lana has proof that she saw Neil on the armor, she had taken a picture, which she sent to Phoenix this morning. But you don't recall ever receiving the photo, although she did give something to you.

Check the Evidence Law Book. Turn it to the back of the cover and examine it. You'll find the picture inside. Lana was right, she did see Neil on the armor's sword. Ema sees something stunning. A piece of cloth from Neil's vest had been removed. This could be the Strip of Cloth you found in Gant's safe earlier! You begin the cross-examination.

Actual Crime Scene: Cross-examination
"Hold it!"

Gant, out of nowhere, comes to the stand as you start. Edgeworth tells Gant he has already forfeit his chance to make further statements. Gant says he doesn't have to, as he claims you have the evidence that says who the real murderer is. You have a choice to present it or not. Choose, "Cannot show evidence," because presenting it now would bring an end to the trial.

Solving the case
Gant then admits everything that happened. He was at the scene before Lana, he made it look like Ema did it, he told Lana to do everything she did, and he used that information to control Lana, or, to put it bluntly, blackmail her. He also confesses that he removed the piece with the most legible part of Ema's name, but didn't expect Lana to wipe the jar off.

Gant also admits to hiding the cloth in his safe - the cloth that you have right now. Gant knows you have it, and the court won't stand it if you deny again. Look's like you have no choice. When given a choice, choose "Show evidence," then present the Strip of Cloth. When asked who the fingerprints belong to, choose "Ema Skye."

Before you regret this however, Phoenix finds a contradiction on the cloth. You should probably catch it by now as well. When asked to present the contradiction, choose "Lana's picture." Blood is splattered everywhere on Neil's chest, even on the spot the piece of cloth should have been. If the piece of cloth wasn't taken, blood would be splattered on it by now, and if Ema pushed Neil aside as the handprint states, and the blood didn't cover the cloth, then Ema's pushing did not kill Neil!

Gant was there before Lana, and he also admitted to cutting out the Strip of Cloth, and arranging the scene a little. If that is true, then Gant may be the one that killed Neil by lifting his unconscious body and impaling it on the sword.

It looks like it's finally over, but Gant persists. He accuses you of presenting illegal evidence. At first, you refused to present the Strip of Cloth, but did so eventually. Just by that, it is likely that the Strip of Cloth you have now is forged evidence.

When asked if this is true, say "I did not." It is true that you refused to present the cloth in the first place, but the reason is that you "couldn't," not that you "didn't." When asked how the evidence isn't illegal, present the Evidence Law Book.

There are two certain rules in this book:
 * 1) No evidence shall be shown without the approval of the Police Department. Two years ago, Gant cut off the cloth from Neil's vest because it was decisive evidence, and since he is the Chief of Police, the cloth has been approved.
 * 2) Unregistered evidence must be relevant to the case in trial. Earlier, you presented the photo Lana gave you. A piece of cloth was missing and you presented that piece, thus making it relevant.

Hearing this, Gant finally gives in to your claim. Not only that, Gant also reveals the reason he killed Goodman. Goodman found him out. Goodman, Angel and Jake had been investigating behind his back since the incident. He couldn't just let them get in his way.

Lana takes the stand again. Phoenix explains to Lana that Ema did nothing wrong, and Gant betrayed her trust. She no longer has a reason to stay silent, and will reveal everything from the time she had Gant help forge evidence, up until today. Poor Phoenix didn't get her out of all the trouble... but Lana believes that one day Phoenix will make it to the top. She thanks both Phoenix and Ema for their diligence. Edgeworth even helped Phoenix on his road to getting Lana cleared of murder. Unfortunately, she's still an accomplice to Damon Gant's crimes, and as such, a trial for those crimes are to be set for a later date.

Strange, though, Lana is still smiling. She's happy to be freed of all the chains of the past.

Lana Skye is found Not Guilty!

What really happened
It all started two years ago. Joe Darke, a businessman, was driving home when he met with an unfortunate accident. He ran into a pedestrian, killing him. Darke panicked, and killed a man who witnessed the hit and run. He then killed a woman who witnessed that killing. He then killed a child, who witnessed that third killing, and as he buried the bodies, he killed a jogger that caught him.

Darke seemingly left all evidences hidden, and it looked like he would get away with it. However, he was overridden with guilt and eventually turned himself in. Thus the trial of the "Joe Darke Killings" began.

His trial involved a team of investigators (Neil Marshall, Jake Marshall, Angel Starr, and Bruce Goodman, with Neil as the case's prosecutor) led by Damon Gant and Lana Skye, who were very famous back then. The team was very desperate for answers and couldn't obtain good enough evidence to find Darke Guilty.

One night, the team took him for questioning at the Police Department. During the questioning, however, a terrible storm caused a blackout in the building. Darke took this advantage and ran off. Neil followed, carrying the broken sword part of the Prosecutor's Trophy he'd received at a ceremony not long before.

The chase led to the Chief's Office. There, Ema Skye, Lana's little sister, was waiting for the latter, who was filing papers at the time, so they could have dinner. Just then, Darke barged in, noticed Ema, and was about to make her his next victim.

Before he could do so, however, Neil stopped him, and they both fought a short battle on Gant's side of the office.

Neil eventually gained the upper hand, and as he lifted his trophy knife, a bolt of lightning left an image that would haunt Ema for years to come. Seeing this image, Ema panicked, and, assuming the one holding the knife (Neil) was Darke, pushed Neil aside. Darke was knocked out when Ema pushed Neil, who fell on the floor, knocking him unconscious as well. Ema passed out from shock, but not before seeing a jar, which was illuminated by another flash of lighting, being knocked over when she pushed Neil.

Shortly afterward, Gant arrived at the scene. He saw two men and a girl lying unconscious. Gant took advantage of the opportunity to cut off the piece of Neil's vest with Ema's handprint on it. He then did the unthinkable, lifting Neil's body and impaling it on the sword carried by a nearby shield armor, killing him, with lots of blood spilling onto his chest. Gant then wrote Ema's name on the fallen jar with Neil's blood. He broke the jar, and took a piece with part of Ema's name and hid it in his locker with the cloth.

Shortly afterwards, Lana came in, and seeing the crime scene (unaware that it had changed), was horrified to find that Ema may have killed Neil. Being Ema's sister, Lana asked Gant to cover this up, and, knowing his selfishness, promised him she would do anything he asked. Gant started by telling Lana to cover up what Ema did. Lana cleaned up Ema's name on the jar, broke off the tip of Darke's blade and placed it in Neil's wound (after taking his body off the armor), and moved the unconscious bodies to her side of the office. By doing this, Darke would be sure to get the Guilty verdict.

Neil was the prosecutor of the case, so Lana took the forged evidence to Miles Edgeworth, who replaced Neil as the prosecutor of the case. Edgeworth was unaware that the decisive evidence he was given was forged, the real evidence haven been taken away by Gant.

Before the trial continued, Ema, being the witness, tried but couldn't say anything about what she saw, though she did remember the picture the bolt of lightning left her with, so she drew the picture on the back of the evidence list to give to Goodman. Gant, however, got it first and tore the list in half, hiding the more obvious one in his office.

Without any more decisive evidence, Darke, framed for the murder of Neil, was found Guilty and was sentenced to death.

Gant and Lana, for different reasons, didn't want the detectives to investigate further. Since they were suspicious of what happened, Gant fired Angel and demoted Jake to patrolman. Goodman however, was able to keep his position, because firing or demoting him as well would have left the detectives very suspicious.

The detectives were persistent however. They knew something was up. The decisive evidence they presented did not fit what they had at all, which hurt the three. Jake was the one suffering the most, since his brother had died. The trio decided to investigate behind Gant's back.

Gant, who had been promoted Chief of Police thanks to the trial, promoted Lana to become the Chief of Prosecutors, not because she wanted it, but so he could control the Prosecutor's Office through her. Lana did just about anything Gant told her to do to protect Ema from going to jail, no matter how cruel and harsh it may have been. Lana developed a very cold personality since.

The "Joe Darke Killings" case was closed and has since been known as the infamous "SL-9 Incident."

Two years later...
It was the morning when the ceremony took place. The day the evidence of the SL-9 Incident was to be transferred.

Bruce Goodman's ID Card had been stolen (by Jake Marshall) that day, so he looked for someone to help him get into the Evidence Room. He found Damon Gant, who agreed to do so.

They went into the Evidence Room, where Goodman cleaned out his locker. Gant found out that the situation two years ago hadn't satisfied the detectives, and Goodman suspected that Gant may have forged evidence. Hearing this, Gant panicked, took Joe Darke's knife, and stabbed Goodman with it, killing him instantly. His glove was covered in blood.

Gant realized he was in trouble, so he put his bloody glove inside Goodman's locker (not closing it all the way), and put Goodman's body inside the trunk of Miles Edgeworth's car. Then, he took a screwdriver from one of the lockers, on which he left the bloody handprint, and told Edgeworth himself to take it to his office. Wondering why, Edgeworth took it to his car, and drove it to the Underground Parking Lot of the Prosecutor's Office, unknowingly carrying Goodman's body with him! Gant then contacted Lana Skye and, taking this opportunity to control her, told her to go to the Parking Lot and dispose of the body. Lana obeyed and walked to the Parking Lot.

Meanwhile, police officer Mike Meekins was assigned to protect the new Blue Badger that day. He moved the cardboard figure to the Evidence Room, unknowingly covering the recent handprint.

Jake Marshall stole Goodman's ID Card on the morning of the crime, because that day was his last chance to close the SL-9 case once and for all. He took Goodman's clothing and went to the Evidence Room just after the ceremony (when Edgeworth won the Prosecutor's Trophy). He opened Goodman's locker, only to find it empty (except for the glove Gant left behind). He was then startled by Meekins, who was retrieving The Blue Badger from the room. Meekins, not recognizing Marshall, asked for his ID Card. Fearing his cover would be blown if he did so, Marshall pulled out his knife instead. They both fought a short battle, with Marshall the victor. Meekins' blood was splattered all over his disguise, so he put the suit inside the locker to hide what happened. He noticed a bloody handprint as he left, and attempted to wipe it off, before leaving.

Since Marshall was a security patrolman, he was aware of the camera in the Evidence Room, and he managed to leave the room undetected.

Around the same time, Lana got to the Underground Parking Lot and opened up the trunk of Edgeworth's car to find Goodman's lifeless body. She took Edgeworth's knife, and stabbed the corpse in the same place Gant had stabbed him. She then took Darke's knife, wrapped it around her scarf, and put it inside the car's exhaust pipe. Lana then called Ema to tell her about the muffler before hanging up.

Angel Starr noticed the "crime" and captured the moment with her camera. Angel then proceeded to arrest Lana, who decided to pin herself for the crime, as speaking out would spell certain doom for Ema.

Epilogue
Now sit back as you enjoy the ending. At some point, you are given an opportunity to show something. Present the Evidence List, and when given the chance, yell "Objection!"

After the credits, you are given another book to check. Examine the back cover for a cute photo.

Congratulations, you have just completed the Nintendo DS version of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney!