And as that jury left, a new set came in for the second case. "Presenting the re trial of De Frank versus Storm. Miss De Frank was previously charged with first degree kidnapping and harm to the victim. Miss De Frank, how do you plead?" Callie asked. Again, Dianna answered for her client saying "Not guitly your honor." Callie sighed and muttered here we go again, to herself before ordering court to begin. As Jackson took his seat, the others began to leave the room Sally noticed that Jackson didn't have an attorney so stopped. Lightning raised a brow asking "What are you doing?" Sally stared and watched for a second before answering "I.. I wanna stay and watch." Lightning nodded and the two sat back down.
Callie then noticed the same thing Sally did and asked. "Mr. Storm, where is your lawyer?" Jackson stood answering "I won't be needing one." "So you'll be representing yourself in your re trial?" Callie had to make sure. Jackson nodded answering "Yes, that's right." He looked at Dianna. She looked back at him with such pitty. Her expression looked as if she were about to break. At this point, Jackson was ready to fuck with her and truly wanted to see if she had the balls to fight him. Callie sighed and agreed. "Alright, let's get started. Dianna." She motioned. Dianna steppes forward and called "Jackson Storm to the stand." Jackson glared at her as he made his way up and plopped down in the seat again.
Dianna approached quietly and began softly, "I know you have already said this, but what exactly did Miss De Frank do to you?..." Jackson was rude and snippy with his answers. "She caused my accident. Blinded me, I'm deaf! That woman held me in her home and fucked me multiple times! And I couldn't fight her because she had a remote to my eye balls Dianna!" He was furious with her and done playing her game. "She turned me into a fucking robot!" "Language please Mr. Storm." Callie scolded softly, but firmly. Dianna frowned feeling bad. "She did all this.. Or the doctor.. Took your sight?.." She asked. Jackson snickered and shook his head. "Well, I guess technically that doctor did this to me." Pointing to his eyes.
"How was your sight before the underground operation?" Asked Dianna. Jackson sighed and admitted "It was a.. Blurry. It was pretty bad, alright?" "Can you see better now with the operation and the remote?" Jackson stared without answering. He immediately saw the path ahead that Dianna was leading down. He was furious, hurt, broken, depressed, angry. Seeing he wasn't speaking, Callie ordered him to answer. Even though it seemed a little irrelevant. Jackson frowned answering "I can see better now..." Dianna nodded and stated. "Didn't you say it was a sort of gift what Cleo did for you?"
Jackson's brows lowered and he snapped. "What? No! You said that! I only agreed that-wait! No!" "Let's pretend the operation never happened for a moment Mr. Storm.. Just indulge me here." Dianna asked. Jackson crossed his arms with a glare as Dianna continued. "Your sight would be bad and still pretty blurry if you have not had the operation by this Doctor, hired by Miss De Frank. If so, would you have?" Jackson wasn't sure what she meant there. "What?" He asked. Dianna glared a bit and explained again, "Let's cut out the middle man here. Would you have seen this doctor and had the operation without Miss De Frank if you had the chance to see clearly? Because didn't you go in search of someome to give back your sight once the remote was in the air?"
Jackson sadly answered "...Yea.. I would have.." Dianna then turned to the jury and asked. "So why are we punishing Miss De Frank for something, A, she technically didn't do. B, Jackson admits he would have went out and done himself anyway!? It's not a curse, it's a gift!" She repeated. Jackson hated her. Now he just hoped that when this was all over, Dianna would drive off a cliff. "When you say Miss De Frank held you hostage, you forgot to mention how she treated you." "What!? No, I didn't! She raped me over and over!" Jackson yelled in pure anger! Callie scolded softly "Mr. Storm.. Please watch yourself." Dianna immediately pointed out. "That's funny, because in the police report, you were in perfect physical health. Next to your blindess and deafness caused by the accident. Not Miss De Frank."
Jackson had it! "What!? Fuck, how can you be such a bitch!? How can you stand there and do this to me!?" Callie then shouted "Mr. Storm! Do I need to call for a recess!?" Jackson didn't listen and continued to chew Dianna out, "I opened up to you! I let you in and I let you see me at my most vulnerable! I thought that you cared, that someone actually saw me differently than just the jerk I am!" "That's enough!" Callie yelled loudly over Jackson! That's when it hit Sally! Now, the jury for Lightning's trial may have found their verdict, which didn't look good. But Jackson still had the chance and case to keep Cleo in prison.
Dianna turned to Callie and explained "Mam, I don't think Jackson can calm down easily and it's alright.. Please.. Let me continue and I'll explain." Callie glaned at Storm then at Dianna and sighed. "Fine.. Go ahead." Jackson crossed his arms and glared towards Dianna. He couldn't wait to see what trick she was going to play next. Dianna turned and asked the young man. "Were you fed? When you were held up at Miss De Frank's?" Jackson sighed and thought a moment answering "Sometimes.. Yea.." "Clothed?" "Yes..." "A roof over your head and a place to sleep?" Dianna asked. Jackson growled and snarled "Yes, sometimes it was the floor!" Dianna nodded then stated. "And you didn't have to work or anything. Barely even had to get up and walk." She snickered. "Sounds like you had it pretty good." she joked.
Jackson only snapped back with "I was forced! I couldn't leave because I couldn't just walk out of there! I was completely blind!" "By an operation that you said you would have gotten anyway if Miss De Frank hadn't been the middle man. And technically, you could have left anytime you wanted. Correct?" she asked. Jackson growled "WRONG!" "But the police statement also says that there were phones in every other room. You literally could have just called anyone for help. Not to mention, Miss De Frank still had workers who came and went and none of them even recall you being there. You were apparently this quiet, that content there." That honestly devastated Jackson. He never felt the phones around. He couldn't find them.
"Also, you are a pretty big guy Mr. Storm." Dianna began. Jackson glared at her, arms crossed and listening. "How did Miss De Frank hold you down and rape you the many times you claim? Hmm?" Jackson's expression changed as he stumbled to answer "I... I was blind!.. She.. If I didn't she would have destroyed the remote..." "If you didn't what?" "If I.. If I didn't fuck the psycho!.. She made me fuck her over and over! Do you even get how hard that it! To mentally make yourself do that!?" He yelled. Dianna nodded and softly said. "Calm down Jackson.. So she didn't drug you like she supposedly had to others?" "No.." Jackson mumbled.
Dianna paced and said. "I'm sorry I'm just having trouble trying to figure this out. So you slept with Miss De Frank? Forcefully without being held down? Without a gun to your head?"she asked. Jackson hit the seat and snapped again! "No! I had to fuck her or NEVER see again! Dianna! Cleo was the last woman I ever saw until you! How can you stand here and do this to me!? I.. I fell for your act..." He frowned. Dianna felt even worse. But Jackson wasn't finished. "You know, you say McQueen lied and manipulated all those women, but you manipulated ME!" Dianna's eyes widened. At this point, Callie had to ask "Alright, what on earth is going on here?" Sally then whispered to herself, "She's conflict of interest.." Lightning looked at Sally asking "What?.." Sally looked at him smiling amd repeated "She's conflict of interest in this case." Lightning glanced at Jackson then asked "Because of Jackson?"
Dianna, had tears in her eyes, but managed to fight them off. She took a deep breath then continued "Do you have proof of the rape?" Jackson breathed heavily and shook his head explaining "Ofcorse not!.. It was her home and by her rules!" Dianna sighed. "Mr. Storm.. Your honor.. I want to ask a few off topic questions that relate to his mental state." "Excuse me?" Callie kinda snarled. "Please your honor, it's.. For this." Dianna went to her things, took out a paper then handed it to the judge.
Sally nodded. Now, it seemed Jackson maybe losing his trial to, which meant, Cleo was getting out unless Jackson bought himself some time. It was all because Jackson didnt get a good lawyer really.
Callie sighed then ordered "Proceed. Mr. Storm, please answer the following questions and remember you are under oath." Jackson sighed with a frown then stared at Dianna who began. And this time, she was much softer, gentle in her tone. "Mr. Storm.. Within the past month.. Have you had nightmares about your accident? Thought of it when you didn't really want to?" Jackson snickered answering "Yeah, that happens after an accident like that." he snarled. Dianna nodded then asked. "Have you tried not to think about it? Tried avoiding situations that made you think about it?" Jackson nodded explaining "Sure, but it's hard when I was in a racing school rehab with McQueen. Being in the cab of the car just.. Just..." He paused. Dianna asked "It was difficult.. Wasn't it?"
Jackson glared answering "It is at times." he snarled and crossed his arms. Dianna nodded and asked. "Sense the accident, are you more watchful and do you scare easily?" Jackson snickered again. "I don't scare easy." Cleo snickered loudly hearing that. And that made Jackson cower a little. The jury noticed that. Dianna glanced back at Cleo with a glare then back to Jackson who then answered "Alright!.. I'm a little jumpy. That doesn't mean anything!" "Do you feel numb? Detatched from your surroundings?" She asked. Jackson frowned and sighed admitting "It's.. It's hard to adjust at times. I don't know why.. Probably because I couldn't see for the longest time after the accident!"
Dianna nodded then said. "Alright, last one.. Do you blame yourself for the accident? For all those deaths?" "What?.." Jackson turned pale. Dianna leaned closer adding "Whose driving caused the chain of events to unfold?" She asked. Jackson felt light and almost faint as he answered "M-mine,me.. I did.." "So you feel guilty? For all those drivers that wrecked?" Jackson broke. "Y-yes!.. yes.. I feel guilty every day! They blame me. Everytime I see them they.. They judge me.. All of them except Lapp.. I.. I should have done something different, okay!?" He was in pain. Dianna then turned to the jury saying "Nothing further." Sally knew that Jackson might be able to win this. But not without help. The jury was conflicted aithwith him and with Cleo here. Because though Dianna was helping Cleo and making all good points, Jackson was obviously traumatized by something and the jury could see it.
Jackson sat down and Dianna called "Doctor Gibson to the stand." The man walked up and sat down. Dianna approached and asked "Can you please tell me the symptoms of PTSD and explain it to the jury." The man cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat. "Well, the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder can vary in types and changes in said person's personality. Behavioral changes include agitation, hostility, hypervigilance, irritability, self-destructive behavior, or social isolation. Psychologically,fear, flashback, mistrust, or severe anxiety. Mood changes include sense of guilt, impending doom, loneliness, or loss of interest and pleasure in activities they once had and their sleep often suffers with nsomnia or nightmares. Also common isemotional detachment or unwanted thoughts."
Hearing this, Sally looked at Lightning. Maybe it wasn't just Jackson suffering from this and Lightning may need to see a doctor over his own traumatic experiences here. Sally then stood up and shouted "Objection!" Immediately Dianna snarled back "Excuse me? You aren't even a part of this trial!" "I am! I'm.. Jackson's attorney." "Oh you gotta be kidding me." Dianna growled. Callie sighed and reminded "Mr. Storm already made clear that he was representing himself today Mrs. McQueen." Sally looked at Jackson with pitty and replied "I know your honor, but if Jackson decides he wants an attorney now, that's his right." "What!?" Shouted Cleo! Dianna looked at Jackson and honestly, this could be her chance to win his forgiveness.
Dianna looked to the judge and said "Legally, that's your call Judge." Callie sighed and stared at Jackson a moment. This would place the trial and case as pending. "Mr. Storm..." She called. "Do you want to hire Mrs. McQueen as your lawyer for the remainder of the trial?" Callie asked. Jackson glanced at Sally then at Dianna. Dianna looked as if she were begging Jackson to. He looked to Callie answering "Sure.. Not like it can get much worse.." he growled. But it really could for him. Callie nodded then to Dianna explained "This means the trial will be posted pending and your client will return to prison to continue her sentence until we reach a verdict." Dianna nodded saying. "I know your honor." Cleo became enraged! "Are you kidding me!?" Cleo yelled!
Callie then announced the trial to be pending until next week, giving Sally time to go over the case before the re trial and to get a bew jury. Jackson was actually thankful of Sally and her actions but was worried. What if Sally dug deep enough to find how much he had worked with and for Cleo. And he was still completely pissed at Dianna. Then came time to hear the verdict of the De Frank verses McQueen re trial. Once everyone was sat back inside the court room. And that jury returned. Callie asked. "Has the jury reached a verdict?" One of them rose answering "We have your honor." Callie nodded then said. "In the charges of Miss Cleo De Frank of drug abuse, (date rape drug) how do you find?" "Not guilty." That hit hard! Callie then asked "In the charges of Miss Cleo De Frank of rape, how do you find?" This was the one everyone wanted her to pay for! The man sighed answering "We find Miss De Frank... Not guilty." People gasped!
Cleo ofcorse was happy as can be! Callie then ordered everyone to quiet down. "Regarding your prior sentencing Miss De Frank, The three years for the drug charge is now dropped, the fourteen years for rape are here by dropped. Congratulations Miss De Frank." Cleo smiled happily to this! She was getting out! Almost. "Regarding your pending case with Mr. Storm. You will continue your sentencing of twenty five years for first degree kidnapping and mental harm to the victim until a verdict is found. Once found, we can discuss compensation for your false imprisonment. I will be seeing you and Mr. Storm next week Miss De Frank. Dismissed!"