Winston Payne

"TBA" - TBAWinston Payne, also referred to as Mr. Payne, is a major antagonist in the Ace Attorney franchise. He appears as a supporting antagonist in The First Turnabout, the debut episode in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.
He is an experienced prosecuting attorney, working as a prosecutor for the majority of his life. In court, he initially appears as a stable and dominating figure however quickly loses his composure and becomes timid and unconfident when contradictions are found in his witnesses' testimonies. Because of this, he typically loses cases to novice and rookie defense attorneys.
In the original Japanese, Payne is voiced and portrayed by Wataru Hama. In English, Payne is voiced and portrayed by David Crislip.
== Story ==
=== Background ===
Winston Payne was born at an unknown date in 1964 to two unnamed parents of Japanese origin.
Payne's background and past life is relatively unknown so its left up to speculation and general conjecture. All that can be assumed about his past is that he was a prosecutor for the majority of his life, earning a considerable amount of experience from his career.
=== Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney ===
==== The First Turnabout ====
Following the murder of Cindy Stone in her apartment during the evening of July 31st, 2016, Payne is assigned as the prosecuting attorney over the case. He collects the necessary evidence to present in court as incriminating proof against the defendant, Larry Butz. He also talks with Frank Sahwit, the alleged witness to the murder, who plans to star as the witness in the upcoming trial.
Three days later on August 3rd, 2016, at 10 AM, the trial for Larry Butz commences with Payne facing off against Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney he would become familiar with as time progressed. During the early moments of the trial, Payne establishes his dominance, presenting evidence and statements that makes Wright hesitant and nervous. Payne calls Butz to the witness stand, asking him a few questions that exposes Butz's motive to the murder. To win the trial, he calls newspaper salesman, Frank Sahwit to the witness stand to prove Butz as the culprit, unaware the true killer is hiding in plain sight.
Using determination and clever wit, Wright exposes several contradictions in Sahwit's testimony that repeatedly weaken his credibility and arouse suspicion from the court alike. Simultaneously, Payne quickly loses his composure, shying away and sweating anxiously. Despite his objections during the remainder of the trial, Wright reveals the truth to the court, showing Sahwit was the true perpetrator behind Stone's murder. Sahwit rapidly froths at the mouth and collapses, defeated. He is arrested and imprisoned for his crimes.
The judge declares Butz not guilty and is acquitted of all charges as Payne faces his first defeat against Phoenix Wright, still sweating and wincing in fear. 
==== Turnabout Goodbyes ====
Payne makes a minor cameo during the epilogue of the episode. When asked about Wright, he cheekily responds by remarking that he "taught everything he knew" and assures himself that Wright is "grateful".
=== Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All ===
==== The Lost Turnabout ====
A year later since their first run-in on September 8th, 2017, Payne is appointed as the presiding prosecutor for the trial of policewoman, Maggey Byrde and her assumed murder of fellow policeman, Dustin Prince. Confident in Byrde's guilt, he remains hopeful that he'll finally defeat his "archnemesis", Phoenix Wright.
When the pair run into each other again, Payne exclaims that he "won't show any mercy this time", adamant on defeating him while an amnesia-induced Wright is confused.
== Appearance ==
Payne possess a slim, slender build of a middle-aged Japanese, adult male, possessing an average height and low weight. He has noticeable wrinkles appearing on his face and body, signifying his growing age. His flat, short hair is black which is also beginning to thin at the front while the back remains full of hair. His eye colour is unknown since he is seen wearing opaque, rectangle glasses. As a prosecutor, he wears a grey three piece suit consisting of a grey suit jacket buttoned up, grey trousers, a neatly pressed white shirt and a light brown tie.
== Relationships ==
=== Allies ===
* None
=== Enemies ===
* Phoenix Wright (Alive) - "Archnemesis"
* Frank Sahwit (Incarcerated) - Former Witness
* Richard Wellington (Incarcerated) - Former Witness
== Appearances ==
Title 	Role 	Additional Notes
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney 	Supporting Antagonist	- Makes his debut in the Ace Attorney series, appearing as the prosecutor for the game's debut case, The First Turnabout.
- Loses the trial and faces his first defeat to Phoenix Wright.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All	Minor Antagonist 	
== Quotes ==
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== Gallery ==
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== Trivia ==
* Similar to the other name puns of the Ace Attorney franchise, Payne's name is a play on the phrase "winced in pain" since he typically winces from minor inconveniences during trials.
Category:Fictional Characters
Category:Main Antagonist
Category:Male
Category:Alive
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