JOHN KINSELA GOT to his feet behind the prosecution table and stayed there. He looked bored as he questioned Yuki’s witness from across the room.
“Mr. Goodfriend, you say you sold thirty guns, more or less, at the gun show that weekend. Is that right?”
“Yes. More or less.”
“And presumably you talked to more than those thirty people who bought guns from you.”
“Oh, sure. I talked to hundreds of people.”
“But you’ve told us that you remember Mr. Herman distinctly two years later. Is that right?”
“He’s a memorable person.”
“Memorable because he said he had a rug rat problem. Is that correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
“And as I understand it, you took that to mean that he was buying a gun to kill a child?”
“You could take it to mean that.”
“Seriously? But you didn’t notify the police at that time, did you?”
“No. It just sounded like bull. Creepy bull, but bull.”
“Did the defendant also tell you directly that he had a rug rat problem?”
“Nope.”
“Would it surprise you to hear that, in fact, Mr. Herman’s house did have rodents? And that he hired an exterminator?”
“If you say so, I believe you.”
“Thanks. Now, apart from the overheard conversation, and whatever you two said during the gun transaction, did you have any conversations with the defendant at any other time?”
“Nope.”
“So apart from the joke he made with this ‘other guy,’ you had no additional reason to believe that Mr. Herman meant to harm his daughter.”
“No. Not really.”
“That’s all, Mr. Goodfriend. Thanks for your testimony.”
Goodfriend leaned forward and addressed Kinsela’s back. “Just his reputation as a criminal defense lawyer who is said to eliminate prosecution witnesses. Which means I’m putting my life on the line here.”
Kinsela spun around to face the judge. His face was red and he was clearly surprised by Goodfriend’s postscript.
“Your Honor, move to strike. The witness’s remark is hearsay on its face and highly prejudicial.”
Yuki was ready with a response.
“Your Honor, Mr. Goodfriend answered Mr. Kinsela’s question and now he’s objecting to the witness’s answer.”
“He offered his opinion on my client’s character, which was not asked for,” said Kinsela.
“All right, all right. Mr. Kinsela, before I instruct the jury, do you have any other questions for Mr. Goodfriend?”
“No, Your Honor.”