"Under Michigan Court Rule 6.201(B)(3), the defense may call witnesses out of order when circumstances demand it. Given that the prosecution's key witness just invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, I'd say circumstances demand it."
Judge Whitmore sighed. "Who do you wish to call?"
"Maria Gonzalez."
Crawford frowned. "She's not on any witness list!"
"Because you never bothered to interview her," Maya replied, "despite her being one of only three janitors with building access."
A small Latina woman in her fifties entered the courtroom, clearly nervous but determined. After being sworn in, she sat rigidly in the witness chair.
"Mrs. Gonzalez," Maya began gently, "how long have you worked at Whitmore and Associates?"
"Fifteen years."
"Do you know my father?"
"Yes. Marcus is a good man. The best of us."
"You were scheduled to work on October 15th, but called in sick. Were you actually ill?"
Maria glanced nervously at Richard Whitmore. "No."
"Why did you call in sick?"
"I was told to."
The gallery stirred. Crawford jumped up. "Objection! Hearsay!"