Frank Sahwit is a cunning and deceptive character from the Ace Attorney series. Initially introduced as the sole witness in Phoenix Wright’s first murder trial, Sahwit appears to be a harmless newspaper salesman. However, beneath his innocent facade, he is actually a burglar who uses his job as a cover to scout homes for theft. His attempt to frame another for the murder he committed unravels in court, revealing his true, manipulative nature.

Trivia/Facts

• Frank Sahwit posed as a door-to-door newspaper salesman to learn when people were not at home. His real motive was to break into homes and steal valuable items. During one of these burglaries, he was caught by Cindy Stone, the owner of the apartment. In a panic, he attacked her with a clock shaped like “The Thinker,” leading to her death.
• After Cindy Stone’s death, Sahwit tried to shift the blame onto her ex-boyfriend, Larry Butz. He lied about the time of the murder, saying it happened at 1:00 p.m. However, Phoenix Wright, a rookie defense attorney, exposed the truth. Sahwit’s lies were contradicted by the autopsy report, which stated the actual time of death was 4:00 p.m.
• During the trial, Wright noticed inconsistencies in Sahwit’s testimony. Wright proved that the clock was three hours behind, making Sahwit’s story about the time false. Sahwit became furious, even throwing his toupee in frustration. Ultimately, Wright’s clever defense led to Sahwit’s breakdown in court, and Butz was declared not guilty.
• Sahwit became a prisoner and tried to redeem himself: After being convicted, Sahwit became a model prisoner and trained to be an animal groomer. He secretly moved around the prison after breaking his electronic bracelet, avoiding punishment. The prison warden, Fifi Laguarde, took advantage of his freedom, using him to cut the power and perform other tasks. Sahwit later discovered a dead body, but his shady activities came to light when prosecutor Miles Edgeworth investigated.
• Sahwit’s arrangement with the warden fell apart when Edgeworth arrived. After being cornered during the investigation, Sahwit again threw his toupee in rage. Edgeworth confiscated his broken bracelet and revealed the warden’s involvement in a murder. Sahwit’s sentence was extended, leaving him angry and defeated.
• He wears a brown toupee to cover his baldness and has a black birthmark on his forehead. His usual attire consists of a purple suit with a white shirt and red tie. In prison, he wears a uniform and a purple apron with a chicken print. Despite his calm demeanor in court, Sahwit has a short temper, shown by his outbursts when caught lying.

Frank Sahwit’s Relationship with Other Characters

• Phoenix Wright: Frank Sahwit sees Phoenix Wright as a major threat. As a rookie defense attorney, Wright exposed Sahwit’s lies and caught him during the trial for Cindy Stone‘s murder. Their relationship is hostile, as Sahwit loses his temper when Wright corners him with the truth. Wright’s successful defense leads to Sahwit’s downfall and conviction.
• Larry Butz: Larry Butz is the person Sahwit tries to frame for the murder of Cindy Stone. Sahwit uses Larry’s visit to Cindy’s apartment as an opportunity to shift the blame away from himself. While Sahwit doesn’t have any personal connection to Larry, he views him as a convenient scapegoat. In the end, Larry is proven innocent thanks to Phoenix Wright’s defense.
• Miles Edgeworth: Miles Edgeworth becomes another adversary of Frank Sahwit during his time in prison. When Edgeworth investigates a murder inside the prison, he confronts Sahwit about his suspicious activities and broken electronic bracelet. Like with Phoenix, Sahwit loses control and reacts angrily when Edgeworth reveals the truth. This results in Sahwit’s role in the case being exposed, leading to an extended prison sentence.
• Fifi Laguarde: Fifi Laguarde is the prison warden who manipulates Sahwit during his imprisonment. She discovers that Sahwit’s bracelet is broken and uses this to her advantage, making him perform secret tasks around the prison. Their relationship is based on mutual benefit, with Sahwit following her orders in exchange for special treatment. However, their scheme falls apart when Edgeworth arrives and uncovers the truth.