Then Bexley & Crane manager.
“Was your store robbed that day?”
“No.”
“Did you call police about Dr. Freeman?”
“No.”
“Had you ever seen Dr. Freeman?”
“Not before news.”
“Did your employee report suspicious older woman?”
“No.”
The defense tried to show Keegan may have misunderstood street information.
No evidence.
Then dispatch supervisor.
No robbery.
No BOLO.
No suspect matching.
The courtroom became very quiet.
Then Hollow.
He looked older.
Stress does that.
He testified:
Keegan saw bag.
Commented value.
Said she could not explain.
Turned off camera.
Followed.
Invented jewelry robbery.
Defense attacked him brutally.
“You laughed.”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t stop him.”
“No.”
“You signed report.”
“Yes.”
“You’re saving yourself.”
“Partly.”
That answer surprised everyone.
His attorney probably hated.
The prosecutor asked:
“Partly?”
Hollow swallowed.
“I cooperated because I did not want to be charged.”
“That is true.”
“I also cooperated because I watched him hit her and then I went home and told myself I had no choice.”
He looked toward my mother.
“I had choices.”
That mattered.
He did not ask forgiveness.
Good.
Then bodycam audio.
That purse costs more than my truck.
Probably fake.
Bet she can’t explain it.
The defense argued crude joking does not equal unlawful intent.
True.
Then camera shutoff.
Then fabricated robbery.
Then assault.
Pattern.
The state introduced prior seizure records where legally admissible to support motive/intent in theft-related counts, after significant arguments.
Not everything came in.
Some prior complaints excluded as prejudicial.
Good.
Trials should not become pile-on.
Dr. Reeves testified about his watch.
Sofia Martinez about missing cash.
Pawn-shop records.
Keegan’s cousin.
Property logs.
His defense suggested clerical errors.
Possible individually.
Harder collectively.
Then my mother testified.
She wore purple.
Of course.
No Chanel bag.
She walked to witness stand without looking at Keegan.
The prosecutor asked:
“What were you doing in Lincoln Square?”
“Walking from grocery store to library.”
“What was in handbag?”
“Groceries and two books.”
“Why groceries in handbag?”
“I forgot reusable shopping bag.”
A few jurors smiled.
“What happened?”
She told.
No theatrics.
Keegan approached.
Accusation.
Request for legal basis.
Bag ripped.
Food dumped.
Push.
Slap.
Taser.
Her daughter.
The prosecutor asked:
“How did you feel when Colonel Freeman arrived?”
My mother paused.
“Relieved.”
Then: