Trial Part 54

November 7

Court is called to order. Stabler and Benson are present, for what seems to be moral support for Novak. Stabler looks over at Ryland and Beecher. Toby sees this and blows Elliot a kiss; Elliot just offers an icy glare. Casey and Ryland then exchange unblinking stares before they go to war. Ryland is first to have her argument heard. Without breaking her stare, she stands and crosses the room. She stops right in front of the jury box. When she finally blinks; she smiles.

"Miss Novak is going to stand here….right here…and tell you to make this about rape and murder. She will ask you to convict me. Me….an honor student, a twenty-four year old girl….she wants you to say that you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that I raped Carrie Bowersock and then beat her to death, with the same bat."

Casey looks up, surprised.

Ryland chuckles and continues, "Funny. It's usually the defense tries to make the unbelievable reality. And they are the ones who try and make the trial about something else. Think…what has Miss Novak done at every turn. Painted me out to be a self-absorbed sociopath with an anger problem. The assault…..my eye color…and even a wig that I owned. Why? Because she's grasping at straws….trying to make something out of nothing. I don't even match the description given by every eye witness. Miss Novak's job was to bring Carrie Bowersock's killer to justice….to try them and to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. All I want to know is…where is that person today? Not the person you see standing right in front of you. Yes, I made a mistake years ago and assaulted my sister and for that, I am truly sorry. But I paid my debt….and now, Miss Novak has tried to put me on trial again for the same crime. But it's a long way from assault to homicide. I could never kill anyone…….thank you."

Ryland crosses the room with a confident walk, once again resuming her stare down with Casey.

Casey quickly breaks it off. She stands and walks over to the jury.

"I must say, Miss Somerset did have a few things right. I am going to tell you to make this case about rape and murder. Not to make it about a girl who, on the surface, couldn't hurt a fly. Don't make it about sending someone that reminds you of your own daughter to prison. Ryland Somerset brutally rape Carrie Bowersock and when she begged for mercy, she beat her to death," Casey looks over her shoulder at Ryland, who has a smug smile on her face. Casey walks over and stands in front of Ryland.

"But she did call the police afterwards, and started this whole thing. She wanted to see what she had done. Start to finish. Some would say calling the police upon discovering such a horrendous act of violence is responsible and brave. I tell you that it's an act of a cold-blooded killer….a woman who has no remorse, no soul. And she'd do it again, in a heartbeat. Ryland Somerset is a sociopathic predator….she knows what she did was wrong, and she doesn't care. If you let her walk free, she will kill…..to get anything she wants. Anything she sees as hers…..hope none of you have the misfortune of stealing her parking space."

Casey sits back down in her chair. Judge Petrovsky then dismisses court so the jury can deliberate.

Special Victims Unit

Squad Room

November 7

Munch and Fin are sitting at their desks, typing up reports. Stabler has his feet propped up beside the huge mound of paperwork on his desk. Olivia, Casey, and Maureen are talking.

"Don't you think you should be , I don't know, working." Olivia says to Elliot.

"Me….oh, you mean these babies….they are all done. Just waiting for our gopher to deliver them to the Captain," Elliot says, as he looks at Maureen.

Casey smiles, "So, I take it your assignment is going well?"

Maureen rolls her eyes, "Oh. It's wonderful. I swear, I will never do anything illegal ever again. As if withdraw wasn't bad enough…." she picks up the files off of her father's desk and some of the completed ones from Munch and Fin. She disappears into the Captain's office.

"For once, I actually believe that statement from a felon. No offense," Munch says.

"Yeah, me too. Your kid's tough Elliot. She'll make it through," Fin adds.

Olivia says nothing, just nods.

"I'm just glad I didn't have to prosecute her," Casey says. Just then her cell phone rings, "Casey Novak…..really….but it's only been four hours….my kinda jury. Thanks."

Elliot stands, "They're back?"

"This sounds…," Olivia starts.

"Like we did the best job we could. Let's go"