ALTERNATE ENDING FOR DADDY I SAID NO….
A/n it was brought to my attention by a reviewer that she was sad that JoMo killed himself…so here is the trial version of it all. Beautifulbabeforever gets all the credit for this idea she told me about….Terri is a gold mine of information…and Deanna is the co-author and beta.
Disclaimer: Not ours, just wish they were. We don't pretend to know about the court system. We KNOW Vinnie shouldn't be defending Joe, but we wanted to get the "weasel in there somehow!" Any and all mistakes are ours and since this is an AU story, it's our little playground.
NO PLEA DEAL '
Judge Sharpton had set the trial to begin in 3 weeks. Joe had waived his right to trial by jury, so it would be up to the Judge whether he was guilty or not. Joe still thought that Stephanie wouldn't testify against him, he was that delusional about it.
Sharpton wanted so badly to give Melissa what she wanted by not having him in the court room, but had to turn that motion down. His psyche evaluation though, showed he was sane enough and knew right from wrong, to stand trial.
The day of the trial arrived and Stephanie was nervous. She was having trouble sleeping and eating. Carlos, Ella, Angie and Frank were trying everything they could, to take her mind off the upcoming trial. There were nights that someone had to stay with Stephanie because of nightmare of what Joe had done to her. Ella, had ending up sleeping in her room, as had Frank, Angie and Carlos. Carlos had just held her gently all through the night. He kept the nightmares away. Unlike when the others had to shake her and wake her up repeatedly from those same nightmares. She was learning to trust Carlos more and more each day.
'State calls Terri Grizzoli to the stand' Melissa's voice rang out clear as a bell. Vinnie had to hold Morelli back in his seat. Forcing him to sit quietly was proving a task, needless to say when Tank stood behind him, Joe settled down just fine.
After being sworn in to tell the truth; Melissa worked her magic once again
''state your name'
'Terri Grizzoli'
'How old are you, Terri?'
'Eighteen now' Terri replied.
'What was your relationship between you and the defendant?"
Snorting, Terri told Melissa about 'being Joeys girlfriend for a few years, he always talked about Stephanie Plum, even when he was being intimate with her, he always called Terri "cupcake," saying that Stephanie worked at the bakery now and he was going to have her if it was the last thing he ever did, he had signed up for the Navy, and kept going on throughout the days and months leading up to years of hearing all about Stephanie.'
Melissa asked her' would you say that Mr. Morelli was obsessed with Stephanie and meant her harm?'
'not at first, I mean Joey sometimes went a few weeks without talking about her, but that's about the longest period of time he never mentioned her, but then in the past six months, he started stalking her, knowing her schedule at the bakery where Stephanie worked after school. That's the reason I broke up with him, I thought something might happen, but didn't want to tell anyone in case nothing did. I was going to warn Stephanie about it ahead of time. but was sick with mono, I was thinking of calling her, just to let her know he was around and knew what schedule she had at Tasty Pastry and to warn her, but pushed it away. I never thought he would turn into the monster like his daddy was. '
Morelli stared at her, started to open his mouth; snapping it shut when his attorney shook his head.
Joe thought, 'why did she have to tell everyone about that? I just did what daddy taught me 'claim the girl first while she was young, to be my bride is all.'
Joe looked around and saw his mother crying in Frank Plums arms, hatred shooting from Franks eyes, directed at him. Facing Terry again, Joe heard Melissa ask another question of her.
'Why are you here now today, testifying?'
Terri replied, 'everyone deserves to know what Joey is like, stalking her, he was a man on a mission to have her anyway he could and by raping Stephanie, he got what he wanted to happen. I am only sorry I never called her that is my biggest regret in my life. I'm trying to make up for it now.'
Melissa said' no further questions'.
It was Vinnie's turn; defense for Morelli stood up and said 'I have no questions for this witness.'
Morelli was enraged Vinnie didn't try to mess with Terri's testimony, staring hard at her when she walked by, she just met that stare, and walked on by; sitting right next to Stephanie. Stephanie turned to Terri and whispered 'thank you!' Terri nodded her head and said, 'I only wish I had warned you. For that I am truly sorry.'
Melissa glanced at Stephanie, to see how she was holding and saw her crying.
'Court asks for a recess, your honor,' Melissa stood and looked at Judge Sharpton. 'May I use your chambers Your Honor?' Melissa asked.
'Granted, court has a recess for fifteen minutes'.
'All rise'
Judge Sharpton escorted Melissa and the Plum's into his chambers; leaving Morelli at the defense table, Tank looming large over his every move...
Frank, Ella, Stephanie and Angie followed Melissa to the Judge's chambers. Carlos had to hold on to Stephanie, so she wouldn't fall. Emotionally she was already drained and the trial had just started. Lester came along as the guard and as a friend, while Tank and Bobby stood watch in the courtroom.
Next up; time for the evidence to be presented. Irrefutable evidence actually. Evidence Morelli took all the way to San Diego with him.
Now do you feel sorry for JoMo?
