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When the judge turned her attention to him and gently asked whether he wished to say anything, the room seemed to pause. My son lifted his head, straightened his shoulders, and spoke in a clear, composed voice that surprised everyone. Instead of answering directly, he politely asked if he could play something on his phone. There was no hesitation or fear in his tone—just quiet confidence. After a brief glance at the attorneys, the judge nodded in agreement, granting him permission. In that moment, it was clear that his voice, however young, deserved to be heard.
He stood, raised his phone slightly, and pressed play. His own recorded voice filled the courtroom, soft but steady. He explained that he had made the recording the night before because he wanted to be sure he said everything correctly and didn’t forget anything important.
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