Jackson stood alone in the court room. He had spent countless hours in courtrooms all over the world but this courtroom was where he had fought the cases that hit him the most. It was here he let Bianca's rapist walk away free. Just a year ago he stood next to his daughter as the guilty verdict was read. He had heard that word over and over again as she fell into the chair, GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY he had failed her just as had failed Bianca. He would never fail his girls again. He was going to hear those words again but this time it would be JR that would be staring down the barrel of a life sentence not his daughter. JR wouldn't go free to terrorize other's like Michael Cambias had. Jackson may not be trying this case but by God he was going to make sure JR paid for tearing his family apart.
Jack sat in the familiar chair at the Prosecutor's table. His elbows rested on the table his hands clenched together. He focused his sights on the jury box he imagined the twelve people that would finally give this town real justice.
He perked up as a pair of arms wrapped around his neck. He breathed in Erica's familiar scent.
"You left early this morning." Her voice was concerned.
"I needed to go for a walk."
"And you ended up here?"
"Habit I guess. Whenever I have a big case I end up here going over everything in my head over and over again."
"Jack you're not trying this case." Erica rested her hand on his offering some comfort.
"I know but the stakes are just as high. I can't let him hurt our family again."
"That's why I'm here Jackson." Nora walked into the court room.
"Nora," Jackson stuck his hand out to shank the woman's hand, "How are you?"
"Good Jack. How you holding up?" She looked at him concerned by the dark circles under his eyes.
"We're hanging in there. It's been a tough couple of days I'm sorry to say." The room was quite a moment as they all thought about the loss of AJ Chanlder. Jack put his hand in the small of Erica's back, "Erica this Nora Buchannan." He introduced the two women.
"Ms. Kane. I've heard a lot about you. I'm please to finally meet you." Nora politely greeted the shorter brunette amazed at how small this 'giant' woman really was.
"Please call me Erica."
Nora nodded her head and turned back to Jackson. The two lawyers began to talk about trial strategy and how Nora planned to keep JR off the streets of Pine Valley at least through the trial.
"I'm going to ask the Judge to hold JR over for trial but even with the heavy charges he's facing his lawyer is good and she'll use AJ's death and upcoming funeral to his advantage."
The sound of the courtroom door opening and closing stopped their conversation dead in its tracks. A short red headed woman in a finely tailored pant suit walked into the courtroom with the confidence only a lawyer of her stature carried.
"Good morning Mr. Montgomery, Mrs. Buchannan, and Mrs. Kane." She smugly greeted the room ready to show these back woods Pennsylvania hokies how things were done in New York.
"Diane…." Nora greeted the cocky lawyer from New York. She looked forward to showing this woman just how good a lawyer she was and send her and her Jimmy Choo's back to New York and the mob.
"Now Jackson Montgomery I know you're not trying to help try this case are you? Because given your closeness to the 'victims' involved it would make my job of getting a mistrial a hell of a lot easier."
Erica stared down the red head wanting so badly to wipe that smug look off her face. Who did she think she was to come into their town and question Jack.
"No Diane even though I'm not from the big city like you I still know my way around the law. I'm just here to watch your client get what he deserves."
"His freedom?" Diane quickly retorted.
The three lawyers stared at one another trying to get a read on the others. Much of a trial was trying to hide your hand from the others. This game of cat and mouse between lawyers was half the fun of a trial.
"Ladies and Gentleman please rise for the Honroable Miriam Pressman." The bailiff called out as JR stood silently next to Diane. Behind him Adam stood in his best suit for the first time in months he stood alone without the woman he loved.
Across from Adam stood Jackson and Erica. Jackson never took his eyes off JR the look in his eyes would have killed JR right there if it was possible. In the last row of the galley stood Pine Valley's Chief of Police. Jesse had waited for this day since that first shot rang out in the middle of the Chandler mansion. It was time for justice to be served and he was going to be here every day until that happened.
"Please be seated." The judge told the audience and waited as they found their seats. "Bailiff" she looked towards the officer standing to the left of her.
"We're here in regards to Case Number 545943 the People of Pennsylvania Versus Adam Chandler Jr. The People contend that on the night of September 23, 2011 Adam Chandler Jr. did knowingly and willingly enter the home of Zach and Kendall Slater and forcibly removed Adam Chandler III from the residence. That Mr. Chandler did enter the home of Adam Chandler Sr. and open fire on a room of people. The people are charging Mr. Chandler with the following: Charge number one the attempted murder of Marissa Chandler. Charge two the attempted murder of Angie Hubbard. Charge number three the attempted murder of Kendall Hart-Slater. Charge number four the attempted murder of Scott Chandler. Charge number five the attempted murder of Brooke English. Charge number six the attempted murder of Greenlee Lavery. Charges seven through twelve is the assault with bodily harm of victims in charges one through six. Charge 13 the kidnapping of Adam Chandler III. Charge 14 Possession of an illegal fire arm. Charge 15 Driving under the Influence. Charge 16 Involuntary Manslaughter in the death of Adam Chandler III." The bailiff finished reading off the laundry list of the crimes.
Judge Pressman turned to JR and Diane. "My my my Mr. Chandler you have been a busy man. Mr. Chandler please rise."
JR and Diane quickly stood in front of the Judge.
"Mr. Chandler you have heard the charges for which you have been accused how do you plead?"
"We plead not guilty on all counts your honor." Diane answered for JR.
"So noted." As JR and Diane sat down the judge continued, "Before we discuss bail are there any motions?"
Diane stood , "Yes your honor. The defense requests that the search of Adam Chandler's vehicle the night of September 23, 2011 as an illegal search."
"Objection your honor." Nora quickly stood up, "On what grounds do we have to throw out the search of Mr. Chandler's vehicle?"
"Your honor the search of Mr. Chandler's vehicle was not a part of the investigation into the shootings at the Chandler mansion. Mr. Chandler had been in a automobile accident and was not a suspect in the shootings at that time. There was no search warrant to search Mr. Chandler's vehicle. Furthermore the search of the vehicle was conducted by a Detective from the Philadelphia Police Department. Detective Fowler had no jurisdiction over Pine Valley making her search of Mr. Chandler's vehicle illegal."
"Your honor Detective Fowler was a Officer with the Pine Valley Police Department prior to accepting the position as Detective in Philadelphia." Nora started before being interrupted.
"Detective Fowlers prior position with the PVPD has no bearings on the search she conducted on September 23. She had no jurisdiction over an accident or shooting that occurred in her old precinct." Diane retorted trying to fight Nora.
"The defense would be correct if prior to Detective Fowler moving to the Philadelphia Police Department Chief Hubbard hadn't requested from both Detective Fowler's C.O. and the City of Pine Valley to grant Detective Fowler the same rights as an officer in the City of Pine Valley as that of their own Officers. Detective Fowler holds the same clearance to investigate crimes in Pine Valley as any officer on the cities payroll. Therefore the search of Mr. Chandler's vehicle was not an illegal search."
"Motion to throw out the search denied." Judge Pressman said simply.
JR knew this was a blow to his defense the gun they found in his vehicle was the only evidence that connected him to the shootings. Thankfully he and Diane had already discussed what they would do if the judge didn't throw out the search.
Diane stood up once again, "In that case your honor the defense wishes to change Mr. Chandler's plea from Not Guilty to Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect."
"OBJECTION" Nora jumped up pushing her chair back quickly as the legs scratched against the ground. "There is no evidence of Mr. Chandler having a Mental Disorder."
"Your honor Mr. Chandler has a known problem with alcohol. He is a recovering alcoholic. Court records as well as medical records will show that Mr. Chandler has a predisposition to alcoholism and that when he is drinking he battles with anger issues and has no control of his actions." Diane fought for her client.
"Your honor this is ridiculous. If you allow this type of defense than every criminal will say they were drunk when they committed their crimes and the alcohol made them do it." Nora fought back.
Judge Pressman thought for a moment before giving her ruling. She looked between the two tables finally resting on JR hating what she was going to next, "Mrs. Buchannan it is up to the Jury of Mr. Chandler's peers to determine the validity of his claims I will allow this defense. Are there any other motions?"
"No your honor." Both lawyers answered.
"Ok I'll hear the people on bail." The judge continued the proceedings.
Nora stood, "The people request remand."
"Your honor Mr. Chandler is a respectable member of this community with deep personal and family ties." Diane countered.
"Mr. Chandler has a trust fund as deep as the Pacific Ocean. Multiple planes at his disposal." Nora answered.
"My client will agree to surrender his passport as well as submit to Electronic GPS Surveillance. Your honor my client recently lost his only child. To hold him without bail would prevent him from attending his son's funeral and mourning the loss of his child." Diane toyed with the Judges soft side.
"Bail is set at 5 million dollars cash or bond. We will reconvene in two weeks for jury selection." The judge pounded her gavel on the table ending the proceedings.
Jackson watched in shock as JR hugged Diane and talked about posting his bail. It sickened the older man to know that he would be able to walk out of this court room and hurt his family again.
Before JR could leave the courtroom Jack grabbed his arm, "Stay the hell away from my family son or I'll make sure you never make it to trial."
JR just smiled at the older man and laughed as he walked away with Diane. Erica wrapped her arms around Jack's stomach trying to give them man some comfort afraid to admit she was just as scared for her children as he was.