"Where are you presently employed?" James asked.
Maya glanced toward the jury. "The Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. My position is senior trial attorney, with responsibilities involving investigations and prosecutions of certain civil rights violations."
The room grew utterly still. Callahan's mouth opened slightly, then closed. His earlier smile disappeared as though somebody had simply erased it.
James continued. "Before July fourteenth, were you familiar with allegations concerning the Maple Ridge police department?"
"Yes. An independently supervised federal review had been examining complaints about the department for approximately eight months. My work touched the broader inquiry before I became a complainant myself."
"And after you were stopped?"
"I disclosed the conflict, stepped away from any governmental decision-making involving my own incident, and cooperated as a witness with colleagues and independent investigators. I have not directed any criminal charging decision concerning Officer Callahan."
James nodded. "Did Officer Callahan know your title when he stopped you?"
"No."
"Did you invoke it during the encounter?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Maya took a breath. "Because my title should not have been necessary to make him treat me lawfully. I wanted to go home safely, and I did not believe announcing my position would improve the encounter."
She looked at Callahan for a moment, then back at the jury. "The question is not whether he would have treated a federal attorney differently. The question is whether he had the right to treat an unknown woman as he treated me."
The judge reminded the gallery to remain silent when whispers began spreading from row to row. Brennan stood as though he intended to object, then remained motionless for a second while he decided what objection could possibly help. There was nothing improper about clarifying testimony he had himself invited by dismissing Maya's background. His only realistic option was to limit the damage during cross-examination.