Trial of Sean McCabe: The Prosecution's Opening Statement
After the judge reminded the jurors that opening statements were not “evidence” and that they were not to be influenced by the points that each lawyer made during that time, he instructed ADA Rubirosa to begin opening statements. Connie got up from the prosecution’s table and strode purposefully over to the jury box. Everyone knew the admonition was never taken seriously. Opening statements were your first chance to reach the jury. So it began.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury--good morning. I’m Connie Rubirosa, the assistant district attorney representing the People of New York City. Through the course of this trial, you will hear testimony and see physical evidence that will prove that the defendant, Sean McCabe, was responsible for the brutal deaths of Detective Sergeant Mary Jane Bluth and her colleague, Assistant District Attorney Eileen Tarleton.
I’m not going to waste my time today talking to you about how cold-hearted and calculated these crimes were. The evidence, when presented, will speak for itself. Today, I’m going to tell you about two people who cannot speak for themselves, the victims-Mary Jane Bluth and Eileen Tarleton.
As she spoke, Connie turned on the overhead projector, which displayed a picture of Mary Jane Bluth in her dress blues.
Mary Jane Bluth worked as a Vice detective for fifteen years. She went undercover many times and faced many criminals, keeping the streets of New York City safe for its’ citizens. It wasn’t an easy job but she put her life on the line every day. She was highly decorated, receiving numerous commendations and promotions for her hard work. In the end, she made the ultimate sacrifice. For her service to her community, MJ Bluth got two .44 bullets to the chest.
Connie placed another photo on the screen, this time one of Eileen Tarleton with her young son.
Eileen Tarleton was MJ Bluth’s colleague. She was new to Vice, still learning the ropes, but she was a good lawyer who had just started to rack up what could have been a long list of convictions. She loved her job, but more than anything, she loved her family. This is her son, Sammy. He’s four. He will never know his mother beyond the brief time he was able to spend with her. What he will remember will sadly be in pictures, in the memories of others. Her time, like Mary Jane’s, was cut short. Her service to others repaid with two .44 bullets to the chest.
Sean McCabe didn’t know either of these women. These women had uncovered a conspiracy that was at the hands of several powerful men. The defense will tell you their murders were the responsibility of Arthur Branch, Ronald Nagler and Dallas Strickland. This is only partially true. These men did have a hand in it and they are paying for it. But they didn’t pull the trigger.
Sean McCabe pulled the trigger. You will see DNA evidence, hear testimony that not only puts Sean McCabe at the crime but unequivocally links him to the crime. He did it for the same reason that those men tried so desperately to hide their crimes. It was about greed, about power. Sean McCabe killed two unarmed, innocent women for cold, hard cash. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what this trial is about. The evidence will show you that he is guilty and I ask that you find him as such."
With that, Connie took her seat and waited for Riley Toth to begin.