Office of

Assistant District Attorney Casey Novak

September 5

Casey is sitting at her desk, going over a mound of paperwork when Dr. Huang comes in.

She looks up, "Please, tell me you have something good for me."

Huang sits down, "Sorry Casey. Ryland is definitely competent enough to aid in her own defense. I did notice she is a very charismatic individual….and she knows right from wrong, but in her mind, the line is a little blurred. She's guilty and at least some part of her knows what she did was wrong….she just doesn't care."

"Great. Another sociopath."

"Exactly."

"Fabulous. Hey…what did you think of her "legal advisor," Tobias Beecher?"

"He knows how to make the most out of a maybe, or so I've read. He also seems to think life is all about appearances. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the jury quitted him just because he didn't look like a criminal."

"Boyish good looks are his key. But this isn't about how perfect her teeth are….this is about rape and murder."

"Yes, but….juries have been known to do the unpredictable. And Ryland….probably looks like one of their daughters."

"Then I'll just have to change what guilty looks like," Casey looks up, "and it looks a lot like that."

Ryland, along with Beecher enter the office. "Casey….George…trying to figure out why she dresses so horribly…that's with a capital W."

Beecher flashes Casey a smile, "I think she's a real self loather. I mean, why shouldn't she be? We loathe her."

"What do you want?"

Ryland hands Casey the blue motion packet, "You know….your motion was super fun, but mine…is WAY better."

Casey reads it over and laughs, "Motion to suppress the assault conviction."

"Uh, it was a plea Casey….and yes. You know, she drafted this all by herself," Beecher laughs.

"Please. It'll stay. The assault helps to prove MO."

"And you can only prove MO….if Petrovsky lets it in….see you in chambers….and Casey dear, nix the shoes," Ryland says.

She waves good-bye and leaves the office, arm in arm with Beecher.

Chambers of Judge Linda Petrovsky

September 6

The judge is behind her desk, with Casey, Ryland, and Toby all in front of her.

"Alright Miss Novak…."

"The assault itself….and the details of it help to prove her MO. The victims head is bashed in, after she first humiliates them…and she walks away like nothing happened…and she's been known to report the incident herself."

"Your Honor…the jury would convict on the prior bad act…."

"She's right on the money Miss Novak."

"Plus….." Ryland adds, "that would mean that I was essentially tried for a crime that I already convicted of."

"Double Jeopardy….that's what you're saying…"

"Casey….please. All I'm suggesting here is, I can't erase the conviction."

"I agree Miss Somerset. The conviction itself is admissible…but the details I'm afraid, are out."

Ryland and Beecher smile. All three of them leave the office. Casey starts to walk off.

"Awww, Toby….I think we made baby Casey cry."

Casey spins around, "Ryland. You'd better prepare for a long, ugly trial."

"Especially if you're going to wear that," Beecher quips.

"You tow can play these high school tactics and make fun of my clothes, hair, shoes….all you want. It doesn't change the fact she's guilty. Hell, you're both guilty."

Beecher steps in close to Casey, "I feel terrible for taking that girl's life, but she wasn't paying attention. Came right out in front of me. I couldn't stop in time."

"Understandable. Hard to see with blurry vision."

"True….but I wasn't drunk….it was an accident."

"Your wife…excuse me….EX wife, didn't think so."

"Yes, well….she's always been a little in her own world…must be Vicoden land."

Ryland steps between them, "Casey. Don't try and rattle us. It's really not your style. You're more of a "lose and whine about it" type. Just do us all a favor…..drop it."

"Why? Because you know you'll be convicted?"

"No way! I'm just trying to be the professional and help you to save some face…..whatever there is left to save."