The trial took place the next day as it was assumed to be an open and shut type of case. Billy was representing himself; all he had done was phone Maddy after his arrest to tell her that he had been arrested for wounding a corrupt cop, and that his plan to get his evidence to the SIU was on cause, so far. Maddy sounded upset and bothered, she had broken up with her fiancé and was quite upset. However, she said that she would look out for Billy, he was the only man in her life now. Then Maddy hung up. Strange, but Billy felt elated, it was the best news he had had in a long time. Because Costello's recent demise had made Sullivan such a police and media hero there was even a low grade reporter present; just one of the verminous media rat pack, who was going to get the scoop of his career.
At the trial Billy admitted all charges, but then pleaded extenuating circumstances - police corruption, and no way to get his evidence heard except in a judicial court. Billy explained that he was an undercover cop and had worked for the murdered Captain Queenan. He then explained about Queenan's murder, how Dignum had abandoned him and how Sullivan had run him, and how he had finally learned that Sullivan was the Mole. By then most of the Courtroom considered that Billy was fantasising. Then Billy played the CD and showed the copied payment evidence. That changed the Judge's attitude. Billy then charged Sullivan (in absentia) of corruption, involvement (so Billy presumed) with the murder of Captain Queenan, the murder of Costello, and the erasure of Billy's police files. Basically Billy was flinging mud, on the premise that good mud sticks. So Billy also mentioned that FBI corruption posed a danger to a police corruption investigation. Billy said that the evidence stash, held in a garage which he had rented under another name, was only going to be made available at a price - Sullivan's trial (no under the table deals to let Sullivan off), the removal of Queenan's assault and battery charges, and the release of Billy's money. Police reinstatement didn't matter, Billy just wanted to be "respectable" again and to be able to make a new start.
Superficially Billy's case was compelling, although the evidence needed confirmation. The Judge decided to refer the case to a Higher Court and ordered Sullivan's arrest. Billy's trial would come first, but it would pave the way for Sullivan's trial.