Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal Judgement Day Pale Fire Journal | Page 11

Miles sit back down at his table. The members of the jury turn to
each other with worried
looks. They know this is going to be
a tiresome case.
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Case 2: The dispute among us today is to determine whether John Shade
died of natural causes or not.
Judge: At this time, I now call the court to order. Both attorneys will have a
chance to present their opening statements. Prosecutor John will present
first followed by Defense Attorney Juan. Attorney John, the floor is yours.
Prosecutor John: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I come forth to you to-
day to prove that John Shade died of natural causes rather than ill-will. I
say this based on evidence that I have accumulated from his past health
issues and his current condition: He has had a long running history of
heart issues which evolved into his weak state today. This leads to the
eventual heart attack that took the writer’s life.
Defense Attorney Juan: Ladies and gentlemen, your honor, I am here to
present the case that John Shade did not die of natural causes but was in
fact killed. I base this on the evidence I gathered that proves he was
wrongfully killed: There are various references of a killing in John Shade’s
poem Pale fire, as well as other instances where someone else in his life
refers to the fear of his death.
Judge: Attorney John, you will have the floor first to present your evidence
to the jury and the court. Attorney Juan, you will follow him in the same
manner. Attorney John, you may proceed.
John stands up, looks closely at his notes than lifts his heads up
and faces the jury. He
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