Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Superior Court for the County of San Francisco, The Honorable Clark Carrigan, presiding.
Prosecution: The facts in this case are simple. The People will prove that on the night of June 12th of this year, the Defendant, John C. Forrester, brutally murdered his wife and his wife's maid. The murders were in cold blood, with malice and forethought and he did it out of lust and greed; his greed for money and his lust for power. And finally, the People will prove that John C. Forrester, was, in fact, living a lie. That behind the facade of all the dinners and all the charity events that he and his wife attended, their marriage was crumbling. The People will show that if Page Forrester had divorced him, it would have been the end of his prestigious career. The end, in fact, of his livelihood. We will prove that at the end of her death, her brutal murder, Page Forrester was contemplating divorce. Thank you for your attention.
Judge: Ms. Barnes, do you wish to make your statement now?
Defense: Yes, your honor. John Forrester did not murder his wife, he did not murder his wife's maid. He is an innocent man, unjustly accused.
Judge: You may call your first witness.
A: My sister directly owned twenty percent of the eight million shares outstanding. The shares were in her name, she had absolute control. Jack had less than one percent in his name.
Q: Mr. Laughlin, could you tell us the provisions of your sister's Will?
A: Jack Forrester is the direct beneficiary of all my sister's assets.
Q: All of it? Corporate and personal assets?
A: Yes.
Defense:
Q: Mr. Laughlin, did your sister every express any dissatisfaction to you of Jack Forrester's administration of the company?
A: No, she was very pleased with Jack's helmsman ship.
Q: Did she ever express any dissatisfaction to you about her personal relationship with her husband?
A: No.
Q: Never?
A: No, never.
Q: Mr. Laughlin, do you think Jack Forrester killed your sister?
A: God No.
Prosecution: Objection, I move to strike that from the record your honor.
Judge: Granted, the jury will please ignore the last remark.
Prosecution: The People call Mrs. Virginia Howell.
Q: Mrs. Howell, describe your relationship with Mrs. Page Forrester please.
A: Well, we were like sisters.
Q: What did she say about her relationship with her husband?
Defense: Objection your honor, it calls for hearsay.
Prosecution: Your honor, this testimony is being offered to show the state of mind of Page Forrester, therefore it is an exception to the hearsay rule.
Defense: Mr. Crazne has shown no connection between the state of mind of Mrs. Forrester and my client and the charges in this case.
Judge: I'll allow it subject to connection to Mr. Forrester?
Q: Now Mrs. Powell, what did Page say about her relationship to her husband?
A: She knew that he didn't love her and she was sure that he was seeing somebody else.
Q: And did she tell you anything else?
A: She was going to tell her husband that she wanted a divorce.
Q: Thank you.
Judge: I will tolerate no further disruptions in this courtroom.
Defense:
Q: Mrs. Powell, when was the last time you saw Mrs. Forrester at her home?
A: At her home, I really don't remember.
Q: Wasn't it about the same time she stopped playing tennis with you at the club?
A: No, we played together all the time.
Q: Isn't it true Mrs. Howell that six months before her death, Page Forrester broke all contact with you?
A: No, we spoke together on the telephone and we saw each other at the club?
Q: Mrs. Howell, you find Mr. Forrester an attractive man don't you?
A: What do you mean?
Q: Isn't it true Mrs. Howell that Page Forrester broke all contact with you because she learned you were trying to seduce her husband?
A: That's not true.
Q: You're under oath.
Prosecution: Objection, badgering the witness your honor.
Judge: Motion denied.
Q: Isn't it true Mrs. Howell that during the week of December 7th, 1984, you called Jack orrester at his office on eight separate occasions?
A: I don't remember that.
Q: Let me refresh your memory. December 7th, 9:40 a.m. and 4:23 p.m., December 8th, 10:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., would you like for me to read the list for you Mrs. Howell? Did you ever write to Mr. Forrester?
A: No.
Q: No?
A: No.
Q: Is this note in your handwriting Mrs. Howell?
A: Yes.
Q: Your honor, I asked that this be marked at Defense Exhibit "A" and entered into evidence. Mrs. Howell, did you send this note to Jack Forrester?
A: Yes, I suppose so.
Q: You read it please.
A: Dear Jack, I have been trying to reach you all week. I'll be at the cabin at Palm Springs, wouldn't it be fun if you came down? Isn't is silly to keep avoiding me? Page will never know.
Q: How is it signed Mrs. Howell?
A: Love, Jennie.
Q: Your honor, may I show this to the jury? Mrs. Howell, did Mr. Forrester meet you in Palm Springs?
A: No.
Q: Did he meet you at any time anywhere?
A: No.
Q: What did he do with your note Mrs. Howell?
A: I really don't know.
Q: He gave it to his wife didn't he?
A: I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Q: Mrs. Howell, did Mrs. Forrester, according to your knowledge, begin divorce proceedings against her husband?
A: No.
Q: No further questions your honor.
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Judge: You may call your next witness.
Prosecution: The people call Eileen Avery your honor.
Defense: Your honor, may counsel approach the bench? This witness is not mentioned in discovery material your honor. I told you in chamber that the Prosecution was not complying with . . .
Prosecution: Your honor, she's a reluctant witness. She was served a subpoena last night on the basis of information we uncovered yesterday afternoon.
Defense: Bullshit!
Judge: Ms. Barnes?
Defense: I want it on the record your honor.
Prosecution: I'd be happy to have it on the record.
Defense: Do you really think that's going to hold up on appeal?
Prosecution: What appeal, you don't expect to lose do you? Here's the other subpoena your honor.
Judge: I'll allow her testimony. Put the circumstances of her subpoena on the record.
Prosecution: Thank you your honor.
Judge: Let's continue.
Prosecution: Let the record show that Ms. Eileen Avery is a reluctant witness, she was subpoenaed last evening on the basis of information uncovered yesterday afternoon
Q: State your name please?
A: Eileen Avery.
Q: How old are you>
A: I'm twenty-six .
Q: What is your relationship to John C. Forrester?
A: He's a friend of mine.
Q: Between July and December 1983, what was your relationship to him?
A: He was my, he was my lover.
Q: You had an affair with him for six months, two years ago?
Judge: Answer the question please.
A: Yes I did.
Q: You were in love with him?
A: Yes I was.
Q: And he was in love with you?
A: Yes.
Q: Did Mr. Forrester ever speak to you about divorcing his wife?
A: He said he wanted to but. . .
Q: Yes?
A: He said he could never do it.
Q: And why could he never do it?
A: Because he said he would lose everything he had always worked for.
Q: Your witness Mrs. Barnes.
Defense: No questions.
Judge: You may step down.
Prosecution: The People call Robert Slade.
Q: Mr. Slade, how did you meet Mrs. Forrester?
A: I played tennis with her at the club.
Q: And you became friends?
A: She liked me, I liked her a lot too, it went on from there.
Q: You had an intimate, sexual relationship with Mrs. Forrester?
A: Yes.
Q: For how long?
A: Let's see, I got to the club in November, until the time she died.
Q: You knew Mrs. Forrester was married?
A: Sure, that didn't seem to bother her though.
Q: What do you mean?
A: She said he didn't care what she did.
Defense: Objection as to form.
Judge: Sustained.
Prosecution:
Q: Did she ever talk to you about her relationship with her husband?
Defense: Objection, hearsay.
Prosecution: Your honor, I'm trying to establish the state of mind of Mrs. Forrester prior to her murder.
Defense: The testimony is irrelevant.
Prosecution: I think I can establish the relevancy of the testimony.
Judge: You may proceed.
Q: Mr. Slade, did she ever talk about her relationship with her husband?
A: She said he didn't care what she did.
Defense: Move to strike your honor.
Judge: Motion denied.
Q: Please continue.
A: She said she knew he was seeing someone too. Whoever he was seeing, Page said he would take her riding all the time.
Q: Riding?
A: She joked about it, she said those horses of his were foreplay.
Q: Mr. Slade, did Mrs. Forrester ever talk to you about divorcing her husband?
A: She was thinking about it. She said the only thing that stopped her from getting a divorce before was that he was doing such a good job of running the company. She said he had a million dollar image. I remember once she said she knew he was using her but she said she was using him too. She said that was his special talent, he really knew how to use people.
Q: Your witness.
Judge: Due to the lateness of the hour, we'll adjourn and reconvene at 9:00 on Monday morning.
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Superior Court for the County of San Francisco is now in session. The Honorable Clark Carrigan presiding.
Judge: Will counsel please approach the bench? Do you have anything you want to say to me Mrs. Marsh?
Defense: Yes your honor, the Defense would like to recall Bobby Slade.
Judge: Recall Robert Slade.
Q: Mr. Slade, where were you employed before coming to the Hillsboro Country Club?
A: At the Oceanside Racquet Club in Santa Cruz.
Q: And what were the circumstances under which you left there?
A: I don't understand.
Q: I think you do, you were fired, were you not Mr. Slade?
A: No. I got a better job offer from Hillsboro.
Q: Isn't it true Mr. Slade that you were fired in Santa Cruz for selling sexual favors?
A: That's not true.
Q: Perjury is a crime Mr. Slade.
Prosecution: Objection your honor.
Judge: I presume you know the penalty for committing perjury Mr. Slade?
A: That's what they said, but there's no proof, there is nothing on my record. I wasn't fired, I left.
Q: During the course of your intimate sexual relationship with Mrs. Forrester, where did you have sex with her?
A: Motels, the house in Hillsboro, down at the beach house.
Q: The house at Baker Beach? That's where the murders were committed. Did Mrs. Forrester ever pay you for having sex with her?
A: She was a beautiful woman, she didn't have to pay anybody.
Q: What kind of sex did you have with Mrs. Forrester?
A: What do you mean?
Q: Did you tie her up?
Prosecution: Objection your honor.
Judge: Sustained.
(Witness, under his breath, You fucking bitch).
Q: What did you call me Mr. Slade?
Prosecution: Your honor, I object.
Judge: Denied.
Q: You called me a bitch. Is that what you called me Mr. Slade?
Judge: Speak up Mr. Slade.
A: Yes.
Q: No further questions your honor.
Prosecution: No questions.
Prosecution: The People call Anthony Fabreze.
A: It was a six inch hunting knife with jags on the edge.
Q: And what locker was it in?
A: It was in locker #122.
Q: And whose locker is that?
A: It was Mr. Forrester's locker.
Q: Mr. Fabreze, are you absolutely certain that the knife that you saw on January 2, 1984 was in Mr. Forrester's locker?
A: Yes I am certain.
Q: Your witness.
Defense: No questions.
Prosecution: The People rest.
Judge: That will be all Mr. Fabreze. Are you ready to call your first witness Ms. Barnes?
Defense: I am your honor, we call Duane Bendix.
Q: Mr. Bendix, were you a member of Hillsboro Country Club on January 2, 1984?
A: Yes I was.
Q: Mr. Bendix, was there a knife in your locker on that date at the Country Club?
A: Yes, there was.
Q: What kind of knife was it?
A: It was a hunting knife with a six inch blade, and a jagged edge.
Q: Is this the knife?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: And Mr..Bendix, what was your locker number at the Club?
A: 222.
Q: No further questions. Your witness Mr. Crazne.
Judge: Thank you Mr. Bendix.
Defense: Your honor, we would like to recall Anthony Fabreze.
Judge: Mr. Fabreze, I would like to remind you that you are still under oath.
A: Thank you Judge.
Q: Mr. Fabreze, are you certain beyond any doubt that the knife you find was in locker number 122 and not in locker 222?
A: No, it was in locker number 122, I remember because I put it together in my head as I walked away from it that it was Mr. Forrester's.
Q: Where was Mr. Bendix's locker in relation to Mr. Forrester's?
A: Well, it was in the row right behind his.
Q: Mr. Fabreze, does this look like the knife that you saw that day?
A: No. This one is different.
Q: How is it different?
A: Well, it's the same kind of knife and all but this one is all scratched up on the sides and the handle is all worn.
Q: Mr. Fabreze, if this knife was brand new and hadn't been used in a year and a half, would it look like the knife you saw? could it have been the knife you saw Mr. Fabreze? Is it possible Mr. Fabreze?
A: Jesus Christ, I don't know, yeah, it's possible.
Q: Your honor, I would like this knife marked and admitted into evidence as Defense Exhibit "B". No further questions your honor.
Prosecution:
Q: Mr. Fabreze,
A: What! What the hell are you going to ask me now? I told her, it looks different, I don't know. If it was brand new, sure it is possible it was the one I seen. I don't know how the hell I could have mistaken the locker numbers, I don't know.
Q: No questions.
Judge: Thank you Mr. Fabreze. That's all. We will adjourn and reconvene tomorrow morning at 9:00.
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the Superior Court for the County of San Francisco is now in session. The Honorable Clark Carrigan presiding.
Judge: Ms. Barnes, call your next witness.
Defense: Your honor, we call Julie Jenson.
Q: Ms. Jenson, where do you reside?
A: At 1326 Delmar Lane in Santa Cruz.
Q: Would you describe to us please the events which took place on the night of January 1st, 1984?
Prosecution: Objection your honor, this testimony is not relevant.
Defense: This testimony is directly related to the crimes Jack Forrester is accused of and Mr. Crazne knows it.
Judge: The witness may continue.
A: I was in my bedroom, I woke up, there was a knife at my throat. There was a man there, he was dressed in black, all black. Pants, a turtle neck, he wore a black ski mask, I never saw his face.
Prosecution: Objection your honor, this crime is not relevant to this case.
Judge: Overruled.
A: He kept the knife pressed to my throat. It was a big knife, it had these jags on the top. He tied my hands and my legs to the bed. He cut my night gown off of me.
Q: What did he do then?
A: He pushed the knife against my nipples and he cut me.
Q: How did he cut you?
A: He cut around my right nipple with the tip of the knife. And then he smeared the knife with the blood and he got up and he wrote it on the wall.
Q: What did he write?
A: He wrote the word bitch, then he came back to the bed and he started putting the knife between my legs but he didn't cut me. And then he suddenly stopped and he went away.
Q: And these events took place at your beach house in Santa Cruz on January 21st, 1984, eighteen months before the murders at Baker Beach?
A: Yes.
Q: Ms. Jenson, did you ever relate any of these events to the District Attorney's Office in San Francisco?
Prosecution: Your honor, that is irrelevant.
Judge: Overruled.
A: Yes, I did. To that man there.
Q: To this man? Mr. Arnold? The Assistant District Attorney?
A: Yes.
Q: When did you relate these events to him?
A: He came to see me three weeks after Mrs. Arnold was murdered and he came back to see me two days later.
Q: When Mr. Arnold came back to see you, what did he tell you?
A: He told me that the Baker Beach killings were not related to what happened to me.
Q: Ms. Jenson, were you a member of the Oceanside Racquet Club in Santa Cruz from January to October, 1983?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you play tennis?
A: I did before this happened.
Q: Did you ever play with the Club's pro, Bobby Slade?
A: YES!
Prosecution: I object. Bobby Slade is not on trial here.
Defense: Why isn't he? You knew, you hushed it up.
Prosecution: You are trying to mislead this jury Teddy.
Defense: That is not true.
Prosecution: That is unethical.
Judge: I will see you both in chambers.
Prosecution: Judge, all I'm asking for is a two week continuance.
Defense: For what? To tie him into the Santa Cruz crime? He's had months to tie him into it, he can't. He's innocent and you know it and that's why you didn't turn over her statement to me.
Prosecution: How did you find her? How the hell did you find her? She kept her name out of the papers.
Defense: We saw the police report.
Prosecution: We pulled it.
Defense: You pulled the police report?
Judge: You have breached the cannon of ethics Mr. Crazne. Now, your request is denied. If it were up to me, I would vote to disbar you.
Prosecution: He told you didn't he? He told you. What did he do, did he phone you, send you anonymous notes?
Defense: You'll stop at nothing won't you. Anyone could have sent those notes. Everyone knew, the police in Santa Cruz knew, people in your office knew.
Prosecution: Bullshit. Don't you understand? He did the identical crime eighteen months before he murdered his wife. He knew that would get him off the hook. He knew Bobby Slade was seeing his wife, that's why he did the first crime in Santa Cruz. He threw us Bobby Slade as a suspect. He picked that woman very carefully. He knew she played tennis with Slade. He planned this for eighteen months. He is not a psychopath, he is an ice man. He is a monster.
Defense: You're the monster Tom
Judge: If you make any attempt to implicate Mr. Forrester in the Santa Cruz crime, I shall strike it. He is not charged with that offense.
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Judge: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?
Foreman: We have your honor.
Clerk: Not Guilty.
Judge: Stand in recess.
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THE END.