Trial Part 54

November 5

Ryan Somerset has taken the stand. Casey Novak questions him.

"Mr. Somerset…..you were a detective correct?"

"Yep. Manhattan South Homicide….thirteen years."

"Why only thirteen?"

"I was shot. Got too close to a suspect…paid for it. I wasn't the same guy after it. So, I retired early. But, on the bright side, I got to spend more time with my girls."

"By girls, you mean Reese and Ryland?"

"Yes."

"….Ryland an easy child?"

"Objection! Your Honor….my childhood isn't on trial."

"Over-ruled."

Casey has a small smile on her face, "Mr. Somerset?"

"Yes and no. She had her moments, but what kid doesn't."

"So, no real trouble to speak of."

"Just…the assault…but that's all. She's such a good girl."

"Anything else about your daughter?"

"Well, Ryland was always the jealous type. The only one actually worthy of anything….was her. She would do whatever it takes to be in the spotlight."

"Thank you."

Casey strides back to her table and smiles at Ryland.

Ryland returns it, gets up, and paces….then stops right in front of her father.

"Are you proud of me?"

"Objection! Your Honor…."

"Sustained."

"Withdrawn. Are you pleased with the accomplishments of your children?"

"Of course I'm proud of you…..always."

"Then…you love us, but your our father….of course that is to say, you love us no matter what…."

"Objection! Relevance."

"Sustained. Miss Somerset…."

"Point taken Your Honor."

Ryland then faces Casey and smiles. She faces her father, "Mr. Somerset….you said you were a police officer for thirteen years?"

"Yeah, I just said that. But you know that."

"Like….oh….," She turns her back to her father. Ryland's eyes meet with Elliot's, "Detective Stabler right?"

"Well….we worked in different areas. But I guess we're about equal in years."

"Ah, but you….you worked Homicide…you've seen your plenty of murders….."

"I have."

"Would you say then…..you know a murderer when you see one?"

"Objection!"

"Miss Somerset?"

"Your Honor….we have already assumed that since Detective Stabler had all these years of experience that his opinion on guilt was relevant and factual. Mr. Somerset has nearly the same experience level and since I am on trial for a homicide….."

"Point taken. Over-ruled Miss Novak."

"Mr. Somerset….."

"Yes. It would."

"Well then….in your opinion…..do you think I'm a murderer…..Daddy?"

Ryan looks around the room, confused. He makes eye contact with Elliot before hanging his head; then he blesses himself, offering a silent prayer to a God that may not hear him….he looks at the jury, "I……I don't know."

"Thank you very much Mr. Somerset. Nothing further."

Ryland goes back to her table….and offers a cocky smile to Casey.

Ryan Somerset is excused. He walks right past Casey muttering, "I'm sorry….I'm so sorry."

Casey shakes her head. She stands, "The People call Reese Somerset."

"Objection!"

Beecher stands, "Side-bar Your Honor."

"Chambers, now."

The three follow Petrovsky to her chambers. Ryland speaks first.

"Your Honor…my sister can't testify. That's just…..terrorizing a victim."

Casey makes her claim, "She's been terrorizing everyone else….why stop now?"

Beecher steps in, "If I may Your Honor…..Reese is handicapped. With her IQ level there's no way she could be sworn."

"I knew you would say that Toby…..so, I'm ahead of you," She hands them a motion packet, "Read it and weep."

Beecher skims over it, rolls his eyes and hands it to Ryland, who also skims it in disgust, then she hands it to Petrovsky, who reads it.

"Dr. Huang would be glad to testify to his findings," Casey says, almost satisfied.

"That won't be necessary. Let's just try to make this as easy as possible for her, shall we?"

The three nod and they file back in to the courtroom.

"Miss Novak. Recall the witness."

"The People call Reese Somerset."

Reese makes her way to the stand and is sworn in. Casey walks up to her, "Hey Reese….kinda scary up here isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Is it okay if I ask you some questions today?"

"Sure."

"Okay…and if you get too scared or get really nervous…just close your eyes."

"Okay."

"Do you know why you're here today?"

'Because you think Ryland did something really bad."

"Right. Do you remember hearing about that girl Carrie that was killed?"

"It was on the news."

"Right again. Well….do you remember anything about that day or night that she was killed?"

"The phone rang really, really late. I know it was late 'cause I looked over at the clock."

"What did the clock say?"

"It said….3-0-0."

"Wow, that is late….."

"Yeah….I heard Daddy answer the phone….I pretended I was asleep and poked my head out the door. And even though I know it's not nice to listen to other people talk, I listened."

"And who was your daddy talking to?"

"Ryland."

"Does she usually call that late?"

"No….always after the night news."

"And did your daddy sound mad when he was talking with her?"

"Objection….calls for speculation."

"Sustained."

"Withdrawn. Just one more question Reese. What color are Ryland's eyes?"

Reese laughs, "That's a silly question. They're blue…just like that cute police man's. I wish mine were blue."

Casey looks disappointed, "Thanks Reese."

She sits. Ryland stands and walks over to Reese.

"Reese, you know how we go to church all the time?"

"Uh huh."

"Well, do you think I break a commandment?"

"Objection….Your Honor…"

"My sister and I are both confirmed Catholics. And to be fair, the Ten Commandments are the laws that still govern us all…and she knows them by heart."

"I'll allow it."

"Reese, sweetie….think real hard…."

"I know we all sin…that's why we need to confess."

"Right…so, do you think I'd commit a mortal sin, like killing another person?"

"NO!…. 'Cause then you burn in Hell…forever."

"Thank you Reese."

Ryland again takes her seat…only as her sister walks by, she stands and hugs her.