The judge looked at Charles over the top of his glasses for three long seconds, then asked the clerk for the next exhibit.

Dr.

Ortega took the stand at 9:35 with his chart under one arm.

He set his reading glasses on the rail before he sat down.

“Doctor, in your professional opinion, is this child capable of voluntary response?”

“She is,” Ortega said.

“On Tuesday I tested her with a penlight and a firm touch.

On command, she squeezed her mother’s right hand twice.