Let's Go to Trial
Almost a month passed before the trial date. It had been short by some standards, but it felt like a lifetime to me. I’m sure it felt longer to Hemphill, who was stuck without bail thanks to a favorable judge.
The prosecutor was Monica Sanchez, a hotshot up-and-comer who had one of the city’s best conviction records. She had told us before the trial began that she thought we had a good case. Hemphill had a team of three professionals, led by Houston’s famous defense attorney Randy Cusper, notorious for getting guilty people off.
Both sides did their normal dance during opening arguments, then it was Sanchez’s turn to present evidence. I didn’t have time to attend the trial, but Marissa said she’d go when possible and fill me in.
Monica Sanchez opened with a bang. She
