Chapter 36

The courtroom was empty but for one lone person. Dara Jensen sat at the prosecutor's table with her eyes closed. Soon this room would be jammed with people wanting to witness what was turning into the trial of the century for Port Charles. In a little under three hours, she would begin her prosecution of Jason Morgan for the first degree murder of Lucky Spencer. It was a trial that could make or break her career.

To most it seemed like an open and shut case. A love triangle that ended in death. Lucky Spencer was the jealous boyfriend going after the other man only to shoot the woman in question instead, with Jason Morgan taking matters into his own hands and killing his rival. Dara had all the evidence she needed to prove her case but was still worried something would go wrong.

Since Sonny Corinthos became the mob boss of Port Charles ten years ago, the police and DA's office had never come close to bringing him or his associates to justice. That she knew was largely due to Jason Morgan, Corinthos' enforcer and second-in-command. Morgan was cold and calculating. He never did anything without knowing all the angles and covering every minute detail.

That was what worried her. This case was too open and shut. Taggert liked to believe that Jason had let his feelings for Elizabeth Webber get in the way and that was why they had all the evidence they did against him. Jason Morgan finally made something personal and got caught. Dara wanted to agree with Taggert but couldn't. Not completely. The idea that someone was framing Jason just wouldn't go away. It just seemed too easy for a witness to walk into the PCPD and prove their case, especially when the crime was mob related. In her experience witnesses rarely spoke up against the mob for fear of retaliation. Tom Madigan's sudden arrival made her suspicious. Could his testimony be paid for? No, Taggert had made a thorough check into Madigan's financial situation. He was clean, so why couldn't she let her suspicions go?

Maybe that wasn't what bothered her. Maybe it was the idea of convicting an innocent man. Not that Jason Morgan was really an innocent man, she thought. Still, would she be happy putting him away for life for something he didn't do as punishment for everything she knew he had done but couldn't prove? Did she care that she would be allowing a murderer to escape prosecution and be free to kill again? If it was any other defendant, this wouldn't be an issue. But Jason Morgan was a professional killer. If someone else killed Lucky then Jason would be free to kill again. She couldn't win either way. She would just be exchanging one murderer for another. Did it really matter which murderer was punished for the crime?

"Dara, are you sitting here alone praying for a victory?" Alexis asked as she entered the courtroom and made her way to the defence table. She dropped the box she was carrying and opened it to removed the files inside.

Dara looked over to her opponent, pushing aside her feelings of doubt. "I don't need to pray. I have enough evidence to get the conviction I want." She paused. "You know, the deal for manslaughter 10-15 is still open."

Alexis put down the file she was scanning to consider the offer. "My client will not plead guilty to a crime he did not commit, and you know it. That tells me you're worried about the trial. Not 100 sure of your case are you, Dara?"

The other woman shook her head regretting her plea bargain offer. "I know I'll get a conviction. I just thought I would be generous since this case was really a crime of passion than a mob killing. Jason's still young. He could be out in fifteen years and still be able to have a good life rather than sitting on death row waiting for his execution."

"Well, isn't that nice of you to consider the best interests of my client. I suggest you spend more time finding Lucky's real killer than worrying about how long Jason is going to spend in jail," Alexis said before turning back to her file.

Dara stared at her for a moment before leaving the courtroom to confirm the arrival of her witnesses. She looked at her watch. The trial would be starting soon.

"My, my, my, don't we look nice," Taggert said sarcastically when he saw Morgan in his cell. He was wearing a black suit and blue dress shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar. He looked more like the successful businessman he pretended to be than the cold-blooded killer he really was.

"I'm here to walk you to the courtroom," he continued when Jason remained silent. Morgan had been transferred to the courthouse lock-up for the trial. Taggert made sure to arrange for extra security in case Corinthos had any ideas of a prison break. "Let's go," he said as he opened the cell door. "Your day of judgement awaits."

Jason walked slowly out of the cell stopping beside Taggert to raise his hands. He knew they weren't going to let him enter the courtroom without handcuffs. It had been the same since the start of jury deliberation. He knew Taggert didn't think Jason was going to try anything in the courtroom. He just wanted the media and everyone to see him for the dangerous criminal that he was.

The elevator ride was silent. Neither man desiring to converse with the other. As the elevator door opened, the flashbulbs blinded Jason.

"Mr. Morgan, is it true you are Sonny Corinthos' enforcer?"

"Was Lucky Spencer's death a mob hit?"

"Were you and Elizabeth Webber having a secret liaison?"

"Did you conspire with Miss Webber to kill Lucky Spencer?"

Jason kept his face blank refusing to acknowledge any of the ridiculous questions being thrown at him. He waited patiently for Taggert to push their way clear before following closely behind. Since the start of jury deliberation the media hounded him with question after question, but he had yet to answer anything. Jason hadn't even glanced in their direction but still they persisted. He worried about Elizabeth and how she was handling the media pressure. Sonny told him they were camped out on her grandmother's front lawn. He'd offered to help but Elizabeth had refused. He knew Sonny's involvement would only create more speculation, but he wished Elizabeth didn't have to go through all of this alone.

Taggert led him into the crowded courtroom. Jason scanned the room as he walked to the defence table. Even though he knew she wouldn't be present, he couldn't help but search for her face. He saw everyone but her. The Quartermaines were sitting in the back two rows, Luke and Laura were behind the prosecutor's table with an angry Nikolas beside them, and Emily sat with Sonny and Carly behind the defence table. Emily stood as he was about to pass. She stopped him to give him a hug of encouragement.

"Emily Quartermaine, what do you think you're doing?" Edward yelled as he walked towards them. It was bad enough that Jason was disgracing the family by this trial, they didn't need Emily to contribute as well.

"I'm giving my brother a hug. Do you have a problem with that?" Emily was tired of listening to her grandfather's continued insults about Jason. She knew he was only at the courthouse to save face with the media. He didn't really care if Jason went to prison. He was probably hoping for it. Then Edward wouldn't have to face another of his mistakes in town.

"I do if it means you're planning to sit beside this deviant Sonny Corinthos and his psycho of a wife. You are a Quartermaine and as such you should be with your family to show the media that we support Jason. I want you to sit beside AJ," he ordered.

"You don't care about Jason. You're just worried about how this trial makes the family look," she accused him. "I am going to sit beside the people who really love him and support him." She looked to Sonny and Carly. "They are his true family."

Edward huffed and wanted to argue but he could see she wasn't going to back down. With a final look of condemnation, he stalked back to the rest of his family waving his hand in the air to prevent the photographers from taking a good picture of him.

He slumped into the seat next to his son and said, "You need to control that girl."

Monica was the one the reply. "Edward, shut up. Emily is standing by her brother and I for one agree with her."

She stood and made her way to her younger son. She knew without a doubt that Jason was innocent. Whatever his mob dealings, Jason would never kill someone that was a friend to Emily. She stopped and waited for him to turn in her direction.

"Jason," she started nervously, "I just wanted to tell you I know you didn't do this. I wondered if you would mind if I sat with Emily and Mr. Corinthos to show my support."

Jason stared at the woman who was his mother. Gone was the look of sadness and regret he always saw. She wasn't wishing for the son she'd lost. Instead, she was reaching out to the man he was now. He didn't know what to say. He was too overcome with emotions he hadn't felt before to do anything but nod his approval.

"Thank you," she said as she took a hesitant step to hug him. When it looked like he wouldn't protest, she wrapped her arms around him. It had been so long since she'd been able to touch him in a loving way that she was overcome with joy.

As she stepped back a single tear fell down her cheek. She raised her hand to wipe it away, but Jason beat her to it. With his cuffed hands he gently brushed the tear away and said, "I'm glad you're here."

Monica wanted to burst into tears, but instead took her son's hand and gave it a small squeeze before taking her seat next to her daughter. Emily wiped the tears forming in her eyes and took her mother's hand. Monica smiled at her encouragingly. It was the first step to reconnecting with her son. She just hoped it wouldn't be for nothing if Jason was convicted.

Jason took his seat beside Alexis and raised his hands up to Taggert to remove the handcuffs.

"Are those really necessary?" Alexis asked the detective.

"You never know what Morgan here might do, counsellor," replied Taggert with a smirk. He walked away to find his own seat on the prosecution side.

Jason looked over his shoulder once more to see if maybe Elizabeth had just entered.

"She'd not here, Jason. She's waiting in the witness room for when she'll be called," Alexis said.

He faced forward never showing his disappointment.

Alexis opened her briefcase and retrieved what looked like a page of notepaper that was folded over. She handed it to him and said, "She wanted you to have this."

Jason took the note and read it. "I'm sorry I can't be there in person, but remember that I love you and am with you always, Elizabeth." He read it two more times before handing it back to Alexis.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voiced betraying the depth of his emotions.

Alexis squeezed his hand and gave him a small smile. She wanted more than anything to tell him they would get through this, but even she couldn't say that for sure. Everything depended on the jury and what they thought.

"All rise," the bailiff ordered, "the honourable Judge Agnes Torrie presiding over the matter of the state verses Jason Morgan on the count of first degree of Lucas Spencer, Jr."

The judge took her seat and commanded the court to be seated. She then ordered the jury to be brought in. Jason looked over to the twelve people that would decide his fate. These eight women and four men who were supposed to be his peers? What could they possibly have in common with him? They didn't know him. All they saw was a mob enforcer. How could they decide if he was guilty or not?

He shifted his attention to the DA as she stood to begin her opening statements.

She positioned herself in front of the jury and began. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we are here to decide the guilt or innocence of the defendant Jason Morgan. The prosecution will show that the defendant blatantly and without malice took the law into his own hands to punish Lucky Spencer for the shooting of Elizabeth Webber."

Jason didn't want to here anymore. He hated how Lucky was being painted as the victim when really he was the controlling bastard that caused this to happen. Lucky wasn't the loving boyfriend that was wronged by his girlfriend. He didn't love Elizabeth. He just wanted to possess her.

"Stop scaring the jury," Alexis whispered indicating his menacing gaze with a head nod.

When Dara finished, she thanked the jury and returned to her seat. Alexis stood to take her place in front of the jury.

"Members of the jury, what the DA conveniently failed to mention in her opening statement were the words beyond a reasonable doubt. You can only convict if you are sure of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. She would love for you to ignore that statement and concentrate on my client's alleged illegal activities to cover up the fact that she doesn't have enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"The evidence she is so confident will prove guilt is really just circumstantial. A murder weapon found in my client's dresser drawer without fingerprints. Now I ask you, why would my client take the time to wipe the gun of fingerprints then leave it in his room to be found. Her star witness, placing my client with the murder victim at the time of the shooting, suspiciously appeared just as the police's case against him was falling apart. The police didn't find this witness. He came to them out of the blue one day a week after the shooting took place. Where did he come from? And why didn't he talk to the police the day of the shooting instead of a week later?

"I intend to provided you with enough reasonable doubt that your only verdict must be an acquittal because anything else would be an injustice. Thank you."

Judge Torrie waited for Alexis to return to her seat at the defence table before addressing the prosecution.

"Is the state ready to begin their case?"

Dara stood. "Yes, your honour."

"Then call your first witness."

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