First Witness

Prosecution

Please state the name by which you wish to be known

Witness

Address me as Arthur Stewart, since that name is my own

Prosecution

Observe the man on trial. Have you seen him before?

Witness

I have seen him many times. Of that I am quite sure

Prosecution

Mr. Stewart, where do you know the defendant from?

Witness

Many times, with his family, to my church he did come

Prosecution

What is your role in said church, if I may ask?

Witness

Being a pastor is my primary earthly task
At least once a day, and sometimes twice
I give my flock sermons full of spiritual advice

Prosecution

What exactly do you mean by flock?

Witness

Local people who accept God as their rock
Not sheep, I’m sane and don’t talk to sheep
I don’t even count them when I’m falling asleep

Prosecution

You said the defendant used to attend your church. Does he still go?

Witness

There is one simple answer to that question, and that answer is no.

Prosecution

Regarding the defendant and your church, why did he quit?

Defense

The question is speculative and I must object to it

Judge

Sustained

Prosecution

Fine, Mr. Stewart, are you aware of the cause
Of the defendant’s straying from your house of divine laws?

Witness

His mother said that when he got to a certain age
The defendant and my church were not on the same page
I could not bring him back, since he willfully strayed
But one day he may mature and seek out my aid

Prosecution

Pastor Stewart, for the court, will you please relate
What you know of the defendant’s spiritual state?

Witness

As far as I am concerned, it doesn’t exist
His mother says he is basically an atheist

Prosecution

Think of when you knew the defendant, and during that time
Did he display violent tendencies or a propensity toward crime?

Witness

I would have to say no. There was none of that as I recall

Prosecution

Could his loss of faith have changed that at all?

Witness

Untold dangers arise from straying from the holy path
The loss of the Lord’s love will likely lead to wrath

Prosecution

I have no further questions

Judge

Please return to your station
The counsel for the defense may conduct cross-examination