Supreme Court

Trial Part 65

December 5, 2005

Adriana Fitzpatrick has taken the stand. Novak begins to question her, all under the watchful eyes of Caver and Detectives Stabler and Goren.

Adriana recounts the details of her rape. Pausing only for a few moments every now and again to gather her strength, and allowing a few tears to fall.

"Miss Fitzpatrick, is the man who raped you in this room today?"

Adriana's face contorts with rage and sadness, "Yes. He's sitting over there...,"and she points to Malaci, "The defendant, Malaci Platt."

She holds back the flood of emotions, but has a poor time hiding the fact she's near hysterics.

Casey walks up to her and takes her hand, "Do you need minute Miss Fitzpatrick?"

"No...I'm. I'm fine."

Bobby glances over at Elliot, who is sitting with his elbows against his knees, head in his hands. He can see that all Elliot would love to do is take that girl in his arms and tell her it was all going to be fine. Even though he didn't know if that was even true. Very fatherly...

Casey nods and walks back to her seat beside Caver. They exchange glances as Mr. Summers stands to question her.

"Well, Miss Fitzpatrick...That was a very entertaining story..."

"Story? It's what happened..."

"There was an awful lot that you weren't sure of..."

"That's because Mr. Platt nearly beat me to death...Is that a good enough excuse," she snaps, tears welling up in her eyes.

Elliot stifles a laugh. Bobby smiles, thinking that she might make it through it...But she has to stay strong he thought.

"Really? Well, then. Do you even remember what the man that attacked you looked like?"

"No...But it was dark...I was confused..."

"Yes or no, Miss Fitzpatrick."

"No."

Mr. Summers lets a small grin creep onto his face, "Then it could have been anyone!"

"No, it was him...I know it!"

"So, you did see him?"

"I just told you..."

"I mean, who's to say your not using the rape to cover something else up..."

"Objection," Casey says.

"Withdrawn. Are you a religious woman, Miss Fitzpatrick?"

"Objection, relevance," Casey shouts.

"Goes to credibility Your Honor," Mr. Summers retorts.

"Prove your point quickly, Mr. Summers."

Adriana glances back and forth from the floor to the jury.

"Miss Fitzpatrick...Are you religious," Mr. Summers asks leaning in.

"Yes. Yes I'm. Catholic...But what difference would that make..."

"All the difference in the world. Your Church doesn't allow birth control of any kind does it?"

"No. It's considered murder, sir."

He leans in closer, "Well then, a pretty girl like yourself has consensual sex with my client..."

"No...I swear...I don't even...I've never..."

"And then, regrets it..."

"Stop. Please make him stop," she pleads with Novak.

"Objection!"

"And the only way out is to say she was raped. Then she can get that precious morning after pill and everything is right with the world."

Adriana cries hysterically.

"Withdrawn. Nothing further."

Casey looks over her shoulder to Elliot and Bobby, who take their cue. They rise from their seats and both escort Adriana off the stand and out of the courtroom. The three of them sit on a bench.

"I. I screwed up..."Adriana says, between muffled tears.

Bobby hands her a handkerchief, which she takes with a small thank you, "You did fine. He...He was just trying to upset you..."

"Well, he did just that. I looked so. Stupid. God, he's going to get out of it..."

Elliot puts his arms around her and holds her while she sobs. He whispers to her, "All that jury saw in there was a defense attorney pushing around a victim. You showed so much strength telling your story. Your conviction...And to have it questioned. It's a difficult thing."

Novak and Carver appear from the court room, "We got a small recess, to check on things," Caver says as Casey rushes over to Adriana.

"Adriana, I'm am so sorry. I let him just beat you up in there..."

"It's okay Miss Novak. He's just doing his job. God Bless Him."

The four exchange puzzled looks. Caver finally says, "That's awfully generous of you to say."

"Well, my grandmother taught me that it was a lot nicer to say God Bless You instead of what you really think about them."

Elliot smiles, "Sounds like my grandmother."

"I want to stay," Adriana looks at them all, "I want to hear him go down."

"If you really want to," Casey says.

"She can sit with us," Elliot says

"At least us, after I testify," Bobby says, with an air of arrogance.

"Speaking of," Carver interrupts, "Are we ready?"

"I would tell you that I was born ready...But. That's so cliche'."

"You are a cliche'," Elliot says as the the four go back into the courtroom.