No, no. He can't go into a coma! Wherever Phoenix goes, someone has to die and he has to defend the retard who was there and didn't do it.
Kinda like how Scooby Doo and the gang go to the malt shop and take five steps (even as kids) and "Hey gang, I think we got a mystery on our hands!"
But um.. maybe a case where you like... lose? I mean, is it by some coincidence that he always ends up defending the RIGHT PERSON? What if the guy actually DID kill them and Phoenix uses his god-like defense attorney skills (saving right before every testimony) to protect a murderer?
There is a case in the second game where you have the choice to win or lose, and either one progresses you.