Chapter 9.

…

"Why break now?" Adam snapped at Roland. "What the fuck are they trying to gain from that insane cunt?"

Roland sighed. "Adam. This could be good for us, because it gives me time to prepare to cross examine Danielle."

"I'll fucking cross examine her if I get the chance," Adam growled. "With a Machete."

"Adam," Roland warned. "Do not make threats or I'll have to report them."

"For fuck sake," Adam rolled his eyes. "She's a fucking bitch. She deserves it. She's a woman, Counsellor."

"Whom it is currently against the law to threaten despite your wishes," Roland said evenly. "Let's concentrate on you Mr. Dawson shall we?" Roland was seriously starting to dislike Adam Dawson intensely and had never sympathised with a fellow Lawyer more than he did for Barlow. He now totally understood why his Colleague had walked out. This guy was evil. No two ways about it. He hated women and made no secret of it, treating them abhorrently. Roland had a wife and daughter, which made this even more difficult. If this man ever got near them… He shivered inwardly. No way. No fucking way! Roland may have to defend him, but it was getting harder and harder to do as the days slipped by.

"So what when you do cross examine the bitch?" Adam's voice jolted Roland back to the court room. "What then?"

"We will talk about what comes up," Roland said. "Then discuss our next move. But I have to tell you…"

"Don't you fucking dare say it looks bad for me again," Adam snarled. "I know that Counsellor. That's what your fucking job is to change!"

I don't think I want to, Roland thought, but he just nodded. He was starting to think it would be impossible. The evidence against his Client was too persuasive, too consistent and he thought privately, too true.

…

Before long the buzzer sounded and they all re-entered court. Joanne, Charlotte and Goodwin entered last with Danielle once Adam was secured in the dock once more. Goodwin had been right. It was time for Roland to cross examine her. Danielle felt sick. This was Adam's defence Lawyer, trying to get him out of trouble. Roland stepped up to the safety screens and when he spoke, Danielle was totally taken aback at how gentle his voice was. Did he have his own doubts about Adam's story?

"Danielle, I want to ask you questions re the cane first of all. Are you absolutely certain you never wrote the measurements down? Perhaps on your account? Are you certain that Mr. Dawson would not have been able to sign in as you to get them?"

"Positive," Danielle said without hesitation. "I never wrote them down. No one knows them except me and the charity for the blind who worked with me. I've not even told Charlotte."

"Would Mr. Dawson have ever spoken to the charity to ask them for your measurements?"

"They don't tend to keep them on record, I was only told when actually buying it, so very unlikely."

"This is the National Institute for the Blind, yes?"

"Yes Sir."

"Ok. Thank you. I'd now like to ask you about your internet access. You say it was strictly monitored by Mr. Dawson and you couldn't buy anything unless you had a reason for and he wanted you to have said purchase. Correct?"

"Again, yes Sir."

"So it was never the other way around? You never were the one in control of it as opposed to Mr. Dawson?"

Danielle felt ice grab her stomach. So this was what the fucking liar had said! That she was the abusive one, that she was going mad! Her attempted suicide probably helped him no end! She took a deep breath, battling with her feeling of anger, despair and yes for the first time in her life, pure uncontained hatred. Lying little fucker! Joanne took her hand tightly in hers once more.

"No Sir," Danielle said through gritted teeth. "Not to mention Mr. Dawson's account had visual authentication so I couldn't get in to it. So how could I have done? He's going to say I ordered him to sign in isn't he? Counsellors, look at the size of him compared to me! He's an ex-rugby player and current fitness coach! I wouldn't stand a God damn chance! He could overpower me with one hit, as very often he reminded me with graphic demonstrations!"

"Desist with this line of questioning Counsellor," Spinner said. "Move on please."

"This is the visual authentication Danielle speaks of," Goodwin said.

"Thanks. Plus," Danielle continued to the court. "It's no secret he hates women. He doesn't exactly hide it. We're only sex toys to him, as you've doubtless heard. Not just from me, but also Charlotte."

"Who is your friend," he said to Danielle, trying to swallow down bile at his own words. "She didn't believe you when you told her, did she?" Danielle heard Charlotte stifle a sob. Her heart broke for her friend. "How do we know you didn't make all this up at the time and now your friend is testifying for you? Did you order her to do so too?"

"Objection!" Goodwin snapped, just as Spinner snapped, "Stop, Counsellor!"

"Oh of course I did," Danielle said unable to stop herself. All she felt now was anger. She knew Roland was struggling with what he'd just said and it wasn't for him, it was for Adam. "That's why I put a rope around my neck and a neighbour had to break in, was it?" Danielle heard a soft whistle then and felt affection swell in her throat so she couldn't speak for a second. Nigel always whistled so she was sure it was him. "That's why Nigel had to break the door in with a sledge hammer to get me out because Adam locked the door while the woman he supposedly loved with all his heart was dying? Then I'd order Charlotte to testify against the man I almost killed myself to be away from? I'm not a Criminal Counsellor and I know how serious perverting the course of justice is!"

"I told you," Adam's voice said. Danielle clamped down on the panic once more. Fuck this man could scare her just with his voice now. "I panicked when I saw she was in there. The key was in my pocket. I forgot this."

"Silence Dawson!" Spinner snapped. "You have already testified. If you speak out of turn again, you will be in contempt of court, removed from this court room and thrown back behind bars! Are we clear?"

"Yes your Honour," Adam said and Danielle could tell he was furious. Furious and scared. Good!

"We have Nigel Manning's testimony Mr. Dawson that you locked the door seconds after seeing Danielle hanging in there which is why Nigel had to break it down. He saw you lock the door! I'd like to show you these pictures, Exhibit H. Danielle they are of the locked garage door and Mr. Manning using his sledge hammer to get in." Danielle felt Joanne gently turn her head camera again, streaming the pictures back to Smith's Grove.

Joanne saw Adam look to Roland, but his Lawyer said nothing. "So you thought you'd cut the door down with a Machete, did you?" Goodwin asked. "Mr. Manning has also testified he saw you going towards the garage with it. You had it to finish the job if the rope failed. Didn't you?" Danielle shivered outwardly this time. She hadn't been told that once. "He… He was going to kill me anyway?" Her voice was just above a whisper. "I wasn't told that."

Joanne squeezed her arm. "You ok?"

"I…" Danielle took a deep breath.

"I'm calling a break!" Spinner snapped. "Dawson you stay there! You do not need to consult at this time!"

Danielle was led out and wasn't surprised to feel her legs shaking. They walked straight outside in to the fresh air. Once they were there, Roland appeared, pulling Joanne to one side.

"First please tell Danielle I'm so sorry, I had to ask that question and I hate myself for it. I almost threw up! Second, my Client just threatened her in private. Said he'd cross examine her with a Machete if he gets the chance."

"Jesus," Joanne look horrified and pulled out her radio, relaying this back to Smith's Grove, realising too late that Michael would have also heard her transmission. Well good. She thought savagely. "If I get the chance I'll help you get to and kill him Michael! God help me I mean it! She knew her thoughts were unprofessional, but she couldn't help it. She liked and respected Danielle a lot and this man was as evil as Danielle had always said.

That was unexpected," Danielle said to Goodwin. "What happened?" Goodwin looked at Joanne, who shook her head. "I can't tell you that I'm afraid," he said gently. "But I'm sure your doctors will."

"He threatened me didn't he?" Danielle said, sounding resigned more than afraid. "My life today. Please just tell me?" To Danielle, their silence said it all.

"I'm so sorry Danielle," Goodwin said, handing her a strong tea. "I had to say it. Do you want to stop now?"

"Fuck no!" Danielle snarled. "If that's true it only makes me even more determined to see this bastard sent down! I'm glad I know! I wasn't told that before."

They entered the court minutes later and the Judge was brief and to the point. "Mr. Dawson, I have just been told about something we both know what I'm talking about. Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, I would ask you to go in to my Chambers in a moment please. I need to fill you in on this. Guards, take Dawson back down. He's remanded still. Danielle, thank you so much and I acknowledge your bravery today. Jury I will make contact with you shortly to ask if you have a verdict. Thank you!" She hit the bench with her gavel. They were dismissed.

…

"Come on!" Steve threw his hands up in exasperation in the dimly lit Jury room, every man and woman at a desk covered in papers of notes. "For God's sake Ellen! He's guilty as sin! We can all see it except you! Why?"

"I have a son who was convicted of Domestic Abuse," the Juror called Ellen said simply. "She lied about him. He was found guilty. Serious miss carriage of justice!"

"You can't…" Dave struggled to keep his voice calm. "Let your personal experiences influence you Ellen. It's in our Jury's oath!"

"I don't care!" Ellen said. "I don't agree, end of story! My son was eventually released and given vast compensation! I'm not seeing another man go down like he did!"

"You've seen how he talks about women," James said, struggling with his own anger. "He hates women, Ellen! The irony he'd find in it if he knew a woman was defending him! He's already lost one male Lawyer because he was sure Dawson was lying! You wouldn't be doing him any favours; it'd just greatly amuse the abusive sexist prick!"

"I'm sorry but my mind is not changing," Ellen said softly. "Having seen an innocent man go down for it, I'm not risking it again!"

"But he's NOT DAMN INOCENT!" Tim shouted the last few words and actually slammed the table. "Jesus woman! We're convicting eleven to twelve and you won't agree because of your damn son? You can't do that! I have to tell the Judge. I have to! You are perverting the course of justice!"

"Do what you will," Ellen appeared completely unruffled. "But I'm telling you, my opinion still stands. You think he's guilty, but what if he isn't? What if indeed Hayward and Avery are both lying? Yes he called Hayward a bitch today, but that may have been out of pure frustration. He loved her, remember. Until she broke his heart. I'd be frustrated to if someone was lying about me!"

"Just today he threatened her with a fucking Machete," Greg stared at her, fighting down his own anger. "That doesn't sound like an innocent man to me, Ellen! You're making a very, very serious mistake! Her Honour obviously feels the same as the eleven," he stressed the eleven. "Of us, because she's remanded him for four nights now! Come on Ellen, wake the fuck up! You're more fucking blind than Danielle is if you can't see his guilt! Oh my God I don't believe this!"

"Be that as it may," Ellen said. "The vote has to be unanimous and I do not agree. I'm sorry."

"What's the matter with you woman?" Hazel, the other female Juror snapped. "You're making as Greg said, a very serious mistake indeed! What if he goes on to continue abusing Charlotte? Or one day gets his hands on Danielle? This man is evil, full stop. You want us to go not guilty because of your precious fucking son?"

Ellen got to her feet now. "Sean was found guilty and spent time in prison," she almost shouted. "He was released and vastly compensated, but every day it hurt me! I cannot, will not, see it happen again with another possibly innocent man! Regardless of what you say! He's got a mother out there somewhere you know!"

"Who should've killed him at birth," Hazel muttered. "Ellen, I too have a son. If he did to any woman what Adam has done, I'd be sending him down, no qualms. I'd still love him, but he'd have to face the consequences for his actions."

"I mean hell," James added. "Her Honour will be making contact with us shortly! Shortly, she said! She must know how most of us," he too stressed the most. "Feel about this man!"

"Is accused of doing," Ellen said.

The other members of the jury were glaring at her. Luck really wasn't on their side. Just before the start this morning, the Bailiff had come in to tell the judge one of the alternate Jury members had had to leave because her daughter had become very sick at school and no one else could pick her up. Then, the second had collapsed while Danielle was giving testimony with a heart attack and had been rushed to hospital. This was why they were in the situation they were in now, a Juror putting her personal life in the way of justice.

…

"Mr. Goodwin," Danielle said a few minutes later.

"Now I've told you, it's Allan," Goodwin squeezed her arm gently. Danielle couldn't stop a smile.

"Thanks, Allan. Are we expecting a verdict today?"

"It's very probable," Goodwin said. Loomis had finally given Goodwin permission to tell Danielle what had happened, why the Judge had adjourned so suddenly. "Ha," Danielle laughed bitterly. The camera was still live. "He threatened me with a Machete so many times, tell me something new. But I just never knew he had one on him to finish the job that day. But meh," she shrugged. "That Machete threat isn't new."

…

Sure enough just over an hour later, they were called back in, this time turning to face the Jury.

"Jury," the Clerk said. "Have you reached a verdict you all agree on?"

"No," James said and they could all here his anger. "No Sir, we have not."

"That surprises me," the Judge said. "Just an hour James you all said you were ready. Why have you changed your mind now?"

"One of us doesn't agree," James said simply, glaring at the wall. "For the stupidest reason I may add," he muttered.

"Who doesn't agree?" Spinner asked. There was silence and the Jury knew Ellen despite her words was too afraid to stand up and tell the Judge why. All eleven other members of the Jury were glaring at her. That attracted Spinner's attention.

"Mrs. Duckworth, you do not agree? May I ask why? You gave no sign of this yesterday when I asked if you were ready to prepare your verdict, which you should have done. I ask you to tell the court why?" Ellen didn't move. The Judge hit the bench with her gavel and asked again. A signal everyone knew meaning she was close to being in contempt of court. Ellen slowly stood.

"Your Honour," she stammered. "I…" But before she could finish, James leapt to his feet.

"Your Honour, Ellen doesn't agree because she's only now just told us that her son was charged and found guilty for Domestic Abuse and wrongly arrested and released. She states she doesn't want another innocent," he made quotation marks in the air at that word. "Man, to go down like he did."

"Is this true Mrs. Duckworth?" Spinner asked. All Ellen could do was nod, tears in her eyes. "This should have been mentioned when you started the case. You knew it was Domestic Abuse against a male and you can't bring personal opinions or experiences in to it. You have to go with evidence, not personal life. I'm afraid this means you will face punishment for not being honest from the start, Mrs. Duckworth. I also fail to see how you can disagree given that eleven others seem as if they're ready, after all the evidence which has been heard."

Adam began to laugh. Cold, mocking. "Why thank you darling," he drawled. "One cunt knows who's boss. Respects and fears me. Aww, don't want me to end up like your precious son, eh? I'll take part of it back then. One cunt in this world talks sense."

"Silence Dawson!" Spinner snapped. "Enough! Jury, you need to go back and deliberate again. Thank you! The verdict has to be unanimous!" James was glaring at Ellen now, as were Tim, Steve and the others. This was insane! This could take days if Ellen refused to budge her position.

"Guards, take Mr. Dawson back to his cell. Jury, I will contact you in three hours re the verdict. Today's proceedings are complete!" The echoing crash of her gavel against her bench left no room for argument.

…

Charlotte, Joanne and Danielle sat in a small café while they waited to return to court. Joanne got a discount as Smith's Grove staff. She showed her ID, but Charlotte then insisted on paying the rest and when Joanne tried to argue, she glared at her. Smiling, Joanne shut her mouth. When Danielle tried to protest, Charlotte just started whistling, drowning her out. They both got the message. The police had given Charlotte a lift to court but while there, Loomis had spoken to Joanne via her radio so only she heard, asking her to ask Charlotte to come back with them and a Domestic Violence worker would speak to her face to face. Charlotte had agreed, smiling in thanks and gratitude. So now here they were having hot drinks before heading back to court.

"You were so brave in there D," Charlotte said as she bit in to her cheese and ham toasted sandwich. The camera was no longer live, but the earpiece was. Danielle smiled a little. "Thanks."

"I agree," Joanne squeezed Danielle's arm. "Even when things got difficult, you were amazing."

"I say again," Charlotte said. "I'd have been running the other way if I'd gone through what you have at his hands. Damn I respect you Danielle Hayward."

Danielle smiled slightly. Charlotte could see people looking at Joanne from other tables. It didn't surprise her; she was in full uniform including her gun. Charlotte had also snuck looks at her throughout the day. Though her uniform looked intimidating, her kind face dispelled any fears. Charlotte was desperate to ask her for a quick look at her protective equipment, but wasn't sure if she should. Police were one thing; these guys were another and Charlotte hugely respected them.

Danielle bit in to her blueberry muffin, surprised to realise just how hungry she was. She couldn't believe how much better she felt, having given her testimony against Adam.

…

"How are you feeling Danielle?" Dr Stark asked over Joanne's radio as Danielle sat in a private consultation room to talk to her. "You were amazing in there today."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. I just can't believe one juror won't agree because of her own personal life! Isn't that prison time?"

"It is. The Judge will deal with that as she said. Mrs. Duckworth will face action for it."

"I bloody hope so," Danielle muttered. Then she sighed. "It just bought back so many memories, but I'm afraid to talk about them because…" She hesitated, then decided she had to be totally honest with her doctor. "I'm worried if I do you'll think I'm regressing and I really don't want that. They're not making me feel suicidal or anything, it was Adam himself who did that!"

"Danielle, quite the contrary. Talking is a good thing. I won't think you're regressing just because you speak to me. I want to know what happened because I want to help you. No other reason. I'd be more concerned if you weren't talking to me."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that. Well…" She took a deep breath. "I was just remembering things he did to me. Like…" She looked embarrassed. "You know he never let me see him in a suit and tie? Sometimes I liked wearing one, not sure why and one day he grabbed my jacket collar and shoved me against a wall, asking me if I "liked the power I thought it gave me, the power men have that women don't. "."

"What power do you think that is?"

"To control us I guess," Danielle said. "To make decisions for us etc. I think he was judging it based on other countries. You've seen how women are treated. Raped by their husbands if they don't cook dinner quick enough or take his plate out fast enough. They need consent from a male guardian to marry, talk to other men, vote, drive, have a bank account. That's just the start."

"That very unfortunately is the case," Stark said. "Sadly. But work is being done to stop it. Even if it may take a while. Do you think that's what Adam was referring to re you?"

"I know it was," Danielle said without hesitation. "He wants to control women, own them, dictate their lives. He seems to get a kick out of it. A penis kick that is. It turns the sick fucker on."

Danielle was silent for a moment, her hands resting on the table. Finally, she took another deep breath and continued.

"Then there was the time I owed him twenty-five dollars for something, I couldn't pay it back. Not to mention he had the damn card! But I had no money in my account, he'd probably spent it all! He said if I didn't he'd take me to court for theft. I now know he didn't have a leg to stand on, but back then… In the end, he said to sleep with him and he'd forget it. I didn't have any choice, or at least that's how it felt, so I did."

"I'm sorry," Stark said gently. "We now have your bank card for when you leave and you'll get it back then. You know if you want anything while here though you just have to ask."

"As to whether he did forget it I'll never know. Hell he spent all my money anyway as soon as I was paid so…" She shrugged. "The threat with the Machete wasn't new either. That's why I acted so unbothered. I was. He said it so many times before."

"But that's not right that you are so unbothered, Danielle. You should've been terrified if it was the first time you'd heard it. It wasn't, that's what's so wrong."

"But I didn't know he was planning on killing me that day if the rope failed," she said quietly. "If not for Nigel, even if the rope broke, I'd be dead now. Can you break down a door with a machete, Dr Stark?"

"You can try, but it's not the best weapon for the job. Don't worry Danielle, I'm certain the court will also know this and see through the lie. Indeed, Goodwin challenged him on it. Didn't he. I will say Danielle, that was the moment I was proudest of you in there today. You would've been completely justified to panic when you heard that, a lot of people would. But you didn't, you kept your cool. Dr Loomis said the same."

"Thanks. I think it was mainly because I knew Joanne and Charlotte were there, I felt safe, not to mention who else was watching besides you two."

"Quite."

…

Adam jolted awake in his cell, his heart beating unusually fast. "What the fuck?" He muttered, pushing himself in to a sitting position on the narrow bed. It'd been a bad dream and fuck it'd been vivid. He took several deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. That fucking killer Michael Myers. Why was he cropping up in Adam's damn dreams? Adam's blood had gone cold. Why the fuck had his bitch Danielle wanted to Google him in the damn first place? The guy was a masked nutter. Then again, he smirked. Danielle was in there with him now. Maybe she was also with him in that way too. At that thought, Adam actually laughed out loud. He'd never take her as his. He'd kill her first, good. He'd be doing him a favour. In his dream just now though, he'd been there with a knife at Adam's throat, wearing that terrifying deathly pale mask. Why the fuck was he on Adam's mind right now? It wasn't like he was at the damn trial. Hell he didn't even know about Adam. Ridiculous and he knew it. But still…

Adam was proud to admit he often had sexual dreams and woke with a hard on. Not right now. Right at this moment his blood was freezing cold and his penis was for once, the last thing on his mind. "What the fuck?" He muttered again, trying to regain his composure. "Get a grip, Dawson!" He must've been somehow thinking about him, if only subconsciously. That was all. There was nothing else in it. Danielle probably wouldn't even have met Myers. The guards wouldn't have let that happen. Shame, he'd thank the guy if he killed her for him. Shake his fucking hand and all. How dare Danielle testify! What the fuck were her doctors playing at anyway? The bitch was insane. Why would the Jury believe a word she said? But still, Adam felt uneasy. What if… He knew they wouldn't, but what if they did? Adam hadn't even meant to fall asleep in the first place. He wished the fucking jury would hurry up. He glanced up at the clock. An hour to go.

…

"Ellen, for fuck's sake! Think about it woman! You're making a very, very serious mistake!"

"Sorry," Duckworth said. "But I refuse to change my mind or position. What if, just what if Mr. Dawson is not guilty? You are all sure he is, but what if he isn't? Just as my son wasn't?"

James felt anger grip him and glancing at the other Jury members, he could see it reflected also in their faces. "Ellen," he said, desperately trying to keep his voice calm. "Please allow me to go through the evidence for you again. We have a totally blind woman found hanging in a garage, her so-called boyfriend's garage which he'd locked once he saw she was hanging in there. She had to be cut down by a neighbour. He was leaving her to die. He had absolutely no desire to rescue her. Then there's the Machete. You can't break down a garage door with a damn Machete! He was going to kill her with it if she made it! Then there's the internet, the texts, those horrific scars Danielle's got! Woman, just listen for a minute!"

"As I say," Duckworth said. "That doesn't constitute guilt."

"Oh my good God," Tim put his hands in the air. "What did you study at school woman? Your ABC only?"

"Are you calling me stupid?" Duckworth challenged him.

"Yes," Tim said, finally losing patience. "Very! What the hell? You're going to let a guilty man walk, all because of your own personal experiences! You can't do that! You, you just can't!"

"Ellen," Hazel sounded as if she was near tears. "Just, for a second, take your son out of this. Would you think he was guilty if he wasn't involved?"

"That's impossible to answer," Duckworth said calmly. "Because it won't change my mind. Did you hear how upset Mr. Dawson sounded in the dock when talking about Danielle? He loved her. I think he's just hurt she's accused him of all this."

"Crocodile tears! I need air," Steve and Dave said in unison, leaving without another word. Tim rubbed his hair, furious. There was absolutely nothing they could do. Adam Dawson was very likely in just a couple of hours' time going to walk out a free man.

…

There was the buzzer. Danielle felt faint. Joanne and Charlotte both gripped her hands. "Charlotte," Danielle said softly. "Will you stand with me this time? Please? Can you?" Before Charlotte could even answer, Joanne had nodded. "Yes," Charlotte said immediately. Goodwin had again shaken Danielle's hand, reminding her he was there for her. It turned out Goodwin had asked the judge if Charlotte could stand with Danielle during recess to which her Honour had agreed. Danielle wasn't surprised to feel her legs shaking, as they once again entered the court room.

…

Adam heard the buzzer and felt his heart sore. This was it! Hallelujah! They couldn't hold him here any longer! It had to be decided today one way or the other and by the look of it, he was getting out. He made a special effort to decrease his suit. Not that his ex-bitch would ever feel him in it. He smiled at that thought. Oh this was going to be so much fun… Also if she hadn't changed her number he was going to call Danielle upon his release, just drop in a nice little reminder of who she still obeyed and who still owned her… Both of them for that matter. Charlotte had better hope and pray his house was exactly as he'd left it, or she'd be in big trouble too. Hell she was anyway, but he didn't need much of an excuse to make it worse for her.

Roland was waiting in the consultation room as Adam entered. Once again no handshakes between them. Hopefully, Adam thought, I won't need to see this man again after today. My life can start again! All that pussy I haven't had! All those women out there I can fuck, own, control… "Ok let's go," Roland said without preamble. "They're waiting for us."

The guard escorted Adam, still in handcuffs up and in to the dock, which was securely locked before he was uncuffed. No more fucking handcuffs, he thought with glee. Not on me anyway. On those cunts though? Hell yes! It's certainly given me a few ideas; I can get hold of real handcuffs easily.

The doors opened and Adam heard people entering, once again stepping behind the safety screens. Fucking cowards, he scoffed. Face me why don't you? Too afraid of me? Pour little cunts. Once again Adam felt his penis hardening at the thought of Danielle's and Charlotte's fear of him. Oh how he wanted to fuck them, right now on the floor of this court room…

"Ok," Spinner said. Again, Adam's penis twitched at the sound of her voice. You too cunt, he thought. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, this is the final time I will be asking you this question. Have you reached a verdict upon which all twelve of you agree?"