Chapter 20

Trial #1

"All rise, the honorable Judge Willis presiding." Abby couldn't believe she was in an actual courtroom. She had seen them on TV shows, but she never thought she would actually be in one. "The cases of John Sanchez, the charges are a hit and run and 2nd degree homicide."

"How do you plea?" The judge asked John. This was the first time Abby had seen John since that awful night two months earlier.

"Not guilty" John's attorney said. Abby sat in astonishment as the prosecutor tore apart every little thing John's defense was built on. It was going so well that they didn't even need Abby to talk about that night. The day concluded with the jury declaring a verdict.

"We, the jury, find John Sanchez guilty of hit and run and 2nd degree homicide."

"We will set your sentencing date tomorrow after the second trial."

"Your honor, what about a bail?" The judge thought about it for a minute.

"Denied, no bail will be set." Abby and Lucas both sat there in amazement.

"Lucas, I'm scared. What if I can't tell them everything and then he walks?"

"Well, he won't walk because he is already going to jail for today's trial and besides they have a tape plus me. It will be fine, trust me."

Trial #2

"All rise, the honorable Judge Willis presiding. The case of John Sanchez, child abuse, child endangerment, kidnapping, and attempted murder."

"Well, this should be interesting. How do you plea?"

"Not guilty your honor" Lucas leaned closer to Abby.

"Yea right" He whispered into Abby's ear. Abby just sat there staring at John, she couldn't stop looking at the man she had lived with for five years. She hadn't slept much that night because she was so nervous. The trial proceeded and they finally called Lucas' name. He went over the entire first night and then concluded with that last night. The last thing they showed was the video that Lucas and Abby had forgotten to turn off. Abby started feeling nauseous, but she was going to be called to the stand next and she wanted to show John that she was strong.

"Thank you Mr. Scott." Even though the defense pointed out that Lucas was in the closet, the prosecutor thought he did well. "I would like to call Miss Abigail Winters to the stand." When Abby sat down she noticed for the first time in five years that John was scared.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"I do"

"Do you know that man right there?" The prosecutor asked pointing at John.

"Yes I do."

"How do you know him?"

"I have lived with him for the past five years."

"When did you meet him?"

"I met him six years ago when my dad and I moved to Wisconsin."

"And then you moved in with Mr. Sanchez and his wife after your father died."

"Yes, that is correct."

"When did Mr. Sanchez start hitting you?"

"It was after Dana, his wife, died. He started drinking and then he would get mad at me for nothing."

"Did he hit you every night?"

"Not every single night, but almost every night." The trial continued with the defense asking questions.

"Have you ever disobeyed Mr. Sanchez?"

"Objection your honor, my witness is not on trial here!"

"Overruled, but you better have a point." The attorney looked at Abby. "Well, did you?"

"I'm a teen-ager, sir. He was the one that…"

"Yes or no Miss Winters" the attorney said staring directly at Abby.

"Yes, I disobeyed him once or twice."

"About Mr. Scott, am I right?"

"Yes" Abby said starting to get frustrated.

"As I see it, my client was just giving the girl a spanking for disobeying him."

"Excuse me, your honor, can I say something?"

"Sure, I don't see why not." Abby stood up.

"You say that he was 'spanking' me because I 'disobeyed' him in regards to Lucas Scott, well let me ask you a question. Did you end up in the hospital after you got spanked? Did you almost die after a spanking?" The defense attorney just looked at Abby. "You think I deserved getting hit almost every night? You think that…"

"SHUT UP you little SLUT!"

"Mr. Sanchez, order in this court. I will have order in this court!"

"I'm almost done." The judge nodded. "You think that anyone deserves that? And he is sober now." She walked out of the courtroom. As soon as she reached the wall she sank down and started crying. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw Lucas sitting next to her.

"You did good baby. I'm so proud of you." She smiled and then buried her head in Lucas' shoulder. A couple hours later the court went back into session.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?"

"Yes we have."

"What do you find the defendant?"

"We, the jury, find Mr. Sanchez guilty on all charges." Abby felt a smile creep on her face.

"The sentencing date is one month from today at 8:00 in the morning." As soon as they got out of the courtroom, everyone gave Lucas and Abby hugs. They couldn't believe that Abby had spoken up like that.

"So you really have to go tomorrow?"

"Yea, Haley needs to rest, Nathan needs to get ready for High Fliers, Peyton and Anna have to get back to TRIC, and I need to go back and get some things situated with Dan." Deb answered.

"If you must, but I have a couple more hours before I have to be back. How does supper sound?" They all nodded and headed to the hotel to order pizza. The rest of the weekend with Karen and Lucas was full of memories and good times. She wished there was a way to get back to Tree Hill, but nothing was looking good.