Real-Life Decision Making
You're the court reporter in a high-profile murder trial. This trial is receiving a lot of media coverage and tensions are running high. The trial is focusing on the murder of a white woman by a Hispanic man. The murder itself wasn't racially motivated, but the media is definitely getting things stirred up.
As a court reporter, you're just trying your best to remain focused on your duties, despite the fact that the courtroom feels like a powder keg ready to go off at any moment.
Today, the key witness in the defense's case is taking the stand. He's the brother of the accused.
He's giving his account of the events of the night in question. You're trying very hard to keep focused on his testimony, but you're having trouble understanding him. His English is heavily accented. He's also a volatile witness, someone with the potential to really stir up the courtroom.
Suddenly he says something you simply don't understand. It doesn't seem to have tripped up anyone else though, because he hasn't been asked to repeat himself.
You realize you must have had a lapse in concentration. You want to hear the comment again, but tensions are so high right now you don't want to add fuel to the fire by interrupting to ask him to repeat himself.
Still, you missed an entire phrase, one that could mean nothing or everything in the transcript. You're embarrassed by your lapse in concentration, as well. Now you're not sure what to do, but you have to decide fast because his testimony in going full speed ahead.
What do you do?