FIFTY-ONE
The next morning, after both sides completed their pedestrian opening statements – drama typically being reserved for closing arguments – Detective K.C. Hodges took the stand first. Looking very dapper in a blue sport coat, he dressed more like a businessman than a police detective. K.C. never believed it necessary to be a cliché cop, wearing bad ties and cheap suits. As far as he was concerned, pride in your appearance went hand-in-hand with pride in your job. That was particularly true if you had to testify in front of a jury that might ultimately be more interested in what you looked like, and how you were dressed, than in what you had to say. He knew from experience that in a courtroom, appearances and first impressions were paramount.
Hooper went about his examination of K
