D.C. criminal defense attorney

A “chance encounter” at the airport

Jamison KoehlerTrial Advocacy

Q:     So you knew Ms. Jones was seeing someone else?

THE COURT:    You’ll need to provide a timeframe for the witness.

Q:     Of course, Your Honor.  At the time of what you have described as your chance encounter at Dulles, you knew that Ms. Jones was seeing someone else?

A:      Uh huh.

Q:     You need to say yes or no.

A:      Yes.

Q:     And you knew that this was a serious relationship?

A:      I didn’t know how serious it was.  Just that there was someone else.

Q:     And she had asked you not to contact her?

A:      Yes.

Q:     In any way?

A:      That’s right.

Q:     But you decided to send her an email?

THE COURT:  Again.  Timeframe

Q:     On the day before your chance encounter at the airport, you sent her an email?

A:      Yes.

Q:     And in the email you sent her a link to a song?

A:      Yes.  It was a link to an Adele song.  

Q:     There was no message?  Just the link?

A:      That’s right.

Q:     And it wasn’t just any Adele song?

A:      Any Adele song?  I’m not sure what you mean.  

Q:     Adele has recorded many songs, right?

A:      I guess so.

Q:     And there was a reason you sent her a link to this Adele song and not another Adele song?

A:      It was a nice song.  I thought she would like it.

Q:     You assumed she would listen to the song?

A:      Right.

Q:     That she would appreciate the music?

A:      Uh huh.

Q:     Yes or no?

A:      Yes.

Q:     And you assumed she would listen to the lyrics? 

A:      It was a popular song.  I assume she had already heard the lyrics.

Q:     I see.  So you were sending her a song, the lyrics to which she had already heard, to send her a message?

A:      I don’t know what you’re talking about.  It was a nice song.  I know she appreciates music.  I thought she would like it. 

Q:     The song is about a stalker, right? It is about stalking someone?

A:      I don’t know what the song is about.

Q:     Had you listened to the song before you sent it to her?

A:      Of course.  It is a nice song.  I sent it to her. 

Q:     Well, let’s go through this.  The song is called “Someone Like You,” right?

A:      If you say so.

Q:     This is not what I say.  It is what you remember.

A:      Yes, that is what the song is called.  I guess.

Q:     And it is about the end of a relationship?

A:      Yes.

Q:     Quote.  I heard that you’re settled down, that you found a girl and you’re married now.  Unquote.  Right?

A:      I guess that’s how it goes.  I mean, I can’t remember the words exactly.

Q:     And now the key part.  Hold on.  I’m sorry. Here we go.  Quote.  I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited.  But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it.  I had hoped you’d see my face.  And that you’d be reminded that for me, it isn’t over.  Unquote.  That is in the song, right?

A:      Your Honor?  This — 

THE COURT:    –You need to answer the question. If you know.

A:      Yes, I guess that is in the song.  But that’s not – 

Q:     –and in fact this is what happened at the airport, right?

A:      I don’t know what you mean.

Q:     Well, let me spell it out for you.  At the airport, you showed up out of the blue, uninvited.  Just like in the song.

A:      I was going to Denver.  I had no idea she and her boyfriend were going to be there.

Q:     It is a big airport, right?  Dulles?  There are many gates?

A:      I don’t know how many gates there are.

Q:     And it is your testimony it was just coincidence that you ran into Ms. Jones and her boyfriend?

A:      I had no idea they were going to be there.

Q:     Her boyfriend.  Her new boyfriend.  The boyfriend who wasn’t you.

ATTORNEY:  Objection.

THE COURT:  Counsel —

Q:     — So you were on your way to Denver?

A:      Yes.

Q:     Did you have any bags with you?

A:      I had checked my luggage.

Q:     Why were you going to Denver?

A:      I was going on vacation.  I had been working really hard – 

Q:     –You bought a one-way ticket to get through security?

A:      I had a return ticket.  

Q:     You were going on vacation?  

A:      Yes.

Q:     By yourself?

A:      Yes.  I heard Denver is very nice this time of year.  

Q:     Did you go to Denver?

A:      No.  In the end, I decided not to go.