Crash Into Me_ A Survivor's Search for Justice - Liz Seccuro [52]
ME: I do not recall. It was early morning, approximately.
CHAPMAN: How do you know it was early morning, and if you have a time estimate, would you describe that?
ME: I would describe it about eight A.M. to nine A.M. simply because of the position of the sun and my own internal body clock.
CHAPMAN: Was it light out?
ME: It was.
CHAPMAN: Was it fully light out?
ME: Yes.
CHAPMAN: Was there anybody in the room?
ME: No. May I back up?
CHAPMAN: Is there something you’ve forgotten or left out?
ME: Yes.
CHAPMAN: What is that?
ME: After I became unconscious, I don’t know how much time later, I do recall the door to the room opening, I recall hearing voices. I had a sense that there were people milling about. I had a sense that I was seen there.
CHAPMAN: I’m not sure I’ve heard you; are you using the word I was “seen” there or I was “seeing” there?
ME: No, I was seen there by others, by people.
CHAPMAN: Can you tell the Court whether that was—well, what were the lighting conditions at the time that you had that observation?
ME: The room was dark as it had been during the attack. And when the door to the room opened, some light from the hallway was let into the room, so I was obviously aware.
CHAPMAN: Could you describe the lighting conditions outside at that time?
ME: The lights were on in the hallway.
CHAPMAN: But my question was outside of the building. Was it still dark or—
ME: Yes, it was still dark.
CHAPMAN: Now, did you do or say anything at that time?
ME: Not that I recall. I was in shock I recall.
CHAPMAN: Do you have the ability to say who or how many people were there?
ME: No. I do recall there being, from hearing their voices, that it was more than one since there was conversation. But I was unable to speak or cry out and I didn’t know if the Defendant was one of those people.
CHAPMAN: Do you know if you had any interaction with any of them?
ME: I don’t recall.
CHAPMAN: Do you know if you moved in a significant way?
ME: I may have tried to, but significant, no.
CHAPMAN: Now, after the time period when you’re aware it was fully light outside, did you remain in the room?
ME: No, not for long.
CHAPMAN: Now, while you were still in the room, did you see anybody?
ME: Yes.
CHAPMAN: Who did you see?
ME: The Defendant.
CHAPMAN: Could you describe that to the Court?
ME: Yes. As I was on the sofa, still naked and wrapped in this sheet, he came in, fully clothed, was packing his backpack and somewhat incredulously said “good morning,” or something—I—I—you know, I really don’t remember exactly what he said. He made some reference to the fact that it was chilly outside, that I would need a jacket. And I just remember thinking this was so completely incongruous. I was standing there with no clothes on and in a sheet and had just been raped and I don’t believe I—I don’t know if I responded.
Dave led me through the rest of the testimony—finding my clothes, retrieving my handbag, going down the stairs to leave the house.
CHAPMAN: Is the person who did those things to you in Court here today?
ME: Yes, he is.
CHAPMAN: Would you point him out, please?
ME: [I pointed toward the Defendant.]
CHAPMAN: The record—
THE COURT: The record will reflect she’s indicated the Defendant.
CHAPMAN: Thank you. Those are the questions that I have. Answer questions from Counsel.
Breathe. Breathe. This part was over.
* Ellipsis points (…) used in original court documents to indicate pauses in speech have been changed to em-dashes (—) for reader clarity.
CHAPTER 9
Cross-Examination and Redirect
I felt relief after getting my testimony out. But there was more to come: the cross-examination. The job of the defense attorney is to make the witness look as confused and untruthful as possible. Rhonda Quagliana was just doing what she was paid to do—I didn’t blame her then and harbor no ill will toward her now. But her questioning was far from pleasant.
Rhonda conferred with Francis Lawrence, shuffled her papers, and took a very long pause. She looked perfectly put together,