Chapter 23
"I call Abigail Bartlet to the stand."
The tension in the courtroom increased ten-fold. This was what everybody had been waiting for.
Abbey would testify and try to save herself from a conviction and a lengthy prison term.
Everybody shifted in their seats, trying to see the witness stand. They didn't want to miss a single minute of the unfolding drama.
Nervous, Abbey walked slowly to the front of the courtroom. A mild headache had started but she forced herself to ignore it.
After entering the witness box, she was sworn in.
"I, Abigail Bartlet, do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth so help me God."
"You may be seated." The bailiff turned away, allowing the cameras and spectators to focus on the defendant.
Sitting down, Abbey looked around the courtroom. Her family and friends sat behind the defense table while the rest of the small space was taken up by press. Abbey noted Ellie's absence but was grateful that Liz and Zoey had not deserted her. Her testimony would be hard for everyone, especially for her girls.
Broadcast cameras were focused on the witness stand, looking for any sign of weakness. 'Well, I'm not going to give them any.' She shifted in her seat, took a deep breath and looked at Pat.
"Mrs. Bartlet, you have heard the testimony of many people in the past two weeks."
"Yes."
"Please tell the court, in your own words, about the last week of your husband's life."
Abbey took another deep breath. Turning to face the jury, she began to describe that last night. She knew it was all that she had to prevent her from going to jail.
"My husband was in enormous pain for the final weeks of his life. Everytime he moved or spoke, he would grimace and moan. He couldn't turn over by himself and any touch was painful. It frustrated me because, as a trained physician, I wanted to relieve pain. I had talked to Jed earlier and he still wanted nothing else done to help his pain. But I couldn't stand it anymore. Even with the increase in the Morphine drip, he wasn't being kept comfortable. So I asked Dr. Griffith for a prescription, and took a syringe and the vial and placed it in the nightstand.
"On the night he died, he was unconscious but extremely restless. I knew the signs of pain. Although unconscious, in some manner he was aware of the pain. I decided that it was my role to relieve his suffering because nobody else was. So, after the Hospice nurse left the room, I filled a syringe with the Morphine and injected it into his IV line. I saw it as an act of mercy and felt anyone would have done the same thing if given the correct materials. I loved and continue to love my husband deeply and never agreed totally with his wishes in this area. It got ugly, but he refused to allow me to relieve the pain. His decision had been made when he was facing the debilitating effects of his Multiple Sclerosis. My choice was made because of the effects of cancer. In my eyes, that's two completely different diseases.
"I did what I did out of deep love and compassion for my husband. To relieve his suffering and allow him to go on to the Father pain free for the first time in years."
"Thank you, Mrs. Bartlet. Your witness, Mr. Short."