Author's Note: Okay, so here is a little bit of a longer chapter. I hope you guys bear with me, I'm not up on all of my legal mumbo jumbo terms, but I did the best I could do with what I knew. Anyways, hope you all like the chapter, let me know what you think :)
Chapter 21: Trial and Error
"That's what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, that decency will somehow triumph in the end"-Lisa Hand
I take a deep breath as I sit in my car, the amount of media surrounding the court house is enough to take my breath away. Today wasn't the day I would be testifying, more importantly today was the day that Mr. Cochran would put forth the evidence and ask that it be usable in the court. Thank God today it was just going to be Mr. Cochran and me in that court room. I run my hand over my slightly extended stomach, glad that it can still be hidden with a carefully planned out wardrobe. I open the car door as soon as Mr. Cochran appears, waiting for me on the steps of the huge building. I walk to him, keeping my head down as he orders me too, ignoring the shouts of journalists and reports asking him who I am. We get through the crowd relatively easily, and I release the breath I was holding.
" How are you holding up Daniella," Johnny asks, opening a door for me.
" I'm doing all right. That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be," I say, smiling softly.
" You have to be prepared DanI, this is going to be a matter of public record the second that you take the stand next week," he says, and I nod my head. I know that its only going to get worse, but at the end of the day when its Michael's wounded face floating through my head its all worth it. As we enter the court room, I notice two people sitting in the seats on the right hand side of the room. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. I freeze, grabbing Johnny's arm.
" What are they doing here," I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
" They have a right to be here, to see what it is that we are bringing forth, just as Michael has the right when they come forward with new evidence," he says, leading me to a chair. I shut down emotionally waiting for this to be over.
Two hours later we immerge from the court room, victorious. What I have to say will be heard and the evidence I carry inside of me will be used to support Michael. We walk through the doors, the media rushing up the stairs shooting questions.
" Mr. Cochran, Mr. Cochran, is it true that this mystery woman with you has evidence that can totally turn the tide for your clients case," someone yells, and I cringe pulling my jacket tighter around my face hoping that I am staying somewhat well hidden.
" No, this woman is a new member of the defense team, but yes, we have recently come across some interesting evidence that is going to blow the lid off of this case, I can say no more," he says, pulling me along behind him away from the rabid media. I sit in my car the door open while Johnny kneels down looking at me.
" You okay?" he asks, and I nod.
" Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just scared," I say, and he smiles squeezing my arm lightly.
" Your doing the right thing Dani, its going to be all right," he says, and I smile shutting my door quickly. " See you next week." I pull away, catching Grace Mitchell standing, separated from her husband and lawyers, a look of sadness on her face.
I shuffle to the door slowly, my back aching slightly as I yawn. I open the door slowly, and stand in stunned silence at Grace Mitchell.
" What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice ringing with my apparent surprise.
" I know that I shouldn't be here, I am probably the last person that you want to see, but I have to talk to you," Grace says, her eyes shining with sadness and a hint of fear. I move aside silently letting her in. I lead her to the kitchen, watching as she slowly sits down.
" Would you like anything, coffee, tea?" I ask, trying to find anything to keep my hands busy.
" Tea, please," she says, and I nod turning to start the water for the tea. Silence fills the room until its ready. I sit across from Grace, my hands wrapped around my mug of tea.
" Okay Grace, why are you here?" I ask, staring at her closely.
" I came here to tell you the truth Daniella. It was never to go this far, I tried telling David it was a ludicrous idea but he wouldn't listen. He is bound and determined to get what he wants. This whole thing is a lie DanI. Michael never touched my son," she says, and I smile , satisfied. I knew all along that Michael was innocent, I just never knew the motivation behind the lies, and now that I do, i feel relieved.
" I know it's a lie Grace, why don't you come forward?" I ask, my voice pleading with her. If she will just come forward and admit this whole thing is a lie it will save Michael. It will save me from having to testify.
" I cant. David would kill me. Do you know what its like Daniella? To be so in love with someone, that no matter how much they hurt you, you would still do anything for them?" she asks, and I nod though I can tell she doesn't believe me.
" When I was sixteen I got pregnant with my daughter Carly-Ann. When I told her father I was expecting he beat me, brutally. And if it wasn't for the fact that he told me to leave, I probably would have stayed because I loved him so much. So yes I understand that Grace. Why do you think I am going to get on that stand willing to tell everyone what Michael and I had? I am terrified of what will come of it but I am going to do it, because I love him. You have to tell the truth Grace," I say, tears clouding my eyes as I realize that she is getting up gathering her coat.
" I did tell the truth Daniella, I told you. I'm sorry, that this is going to hurt you, and your child, but I cant betray David, he will kill me, and he will take my child I cant let that happen," she says, rushing out of the kitchen slamming the front door behind her. Part of me wishes that I could hate her for her refusal to tell the truth, but part of me understands. She's a mother terrified of losing her child, as a mother who has lost one, I can understand that. As much as I don't like it.
March twentieth. The date looms at me as I pace the secluded room I have been put in. My heart pounds loudly as I try to breath. I look up when the door opens, one of the defense team members looking at me.
" Dani, its time," he says and I square my shoulder, Brandon, Kyle and Mom wrapping me in a tight hug before I leave the room. Ready or not, her I go.
Michael's POV
I stare out of he window of the car, my heart hammering against my chest. I prayed this day would never come. That by some miracle something would happen that would make all of this disappear. I am numb, not feeling Lisa squeeze my hand. I push out of the car, overwhelmed by the people surround the court room. Clearly the lines have been drawn, the ones believing I was capable of something so horribly on one side, my supporters on the other. My stomach rolls as people scream at me, calling me a pedophile, a sicko. I take my seat in the packed court room, my eyes falling on the Mitchell's a sickening glint of humor in his eyes. I listen partially as the proceedings begin, wishing I was anywhere but here. Wishing I was with DanI. To see her just once, a smile on her lips. She could make this better, she could make everything better. Then as if by some strange act of God my ears catch My attorney calling someone new to the stand.
" The defense calls Daniella James to the stand," Johnny's voice rings through the court room, and I turn just in time to see The doors open, DanI walking in. Her blonde hair curled, falling to her waist, something was different about her. A new glow on her face as she struggles to smile, brushing past me.
Dani's POV
I walk into the court room, every eye on me, even Michaels. A look of wonderment on his face, and I try my best to muster a smile. I want to scream to him, tell him that I am here for him, here to rescue him from this hell. Instead I remain silent, walking to the box that I have to sit in, to watch as if I'm some sort of freak show at the circus.
" Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God," the bailiff asks as I raise my right hand.
" Yes," I answer, wondering in my head how my voice became so strong.
" Miss. James can you state for the court how you know Mr. Jackson?" Mr. Cochran asks, and I nod my head taking a deep breath.
" I worked for Mr. Jackson as his personal assistant from July of ninety-two until December of ninety-two," I answer, my voice holding strong.
" Would you say you spent a fair amount of time with Mr. Jackson," he asks, walking in front of me. I lift my eyes to him and smile.
" Yes," I say, nervously playing with the hair band on my wrist.
" How many hours a day would you say?" he asks, and I stare at him slightly caught off guard by the question.
" Well, depending on where we were each day I would say anywhere between sixteen to eighteen hours a day," I say, satisfied with my impromptu math.
" Sixteen to eighteen hours a day. So you spent a fairly long time with Mr. Jackson. Got to know him very well. Did you ever see him act inappropriately with a child?" he asks, and my heart hammers in my chest.
" Never," I say, smiling at Michael for a moment.
" In fact, before the untimely death of your daughter, didn't she spend a good amount of time with Mr. Jackson," he asks, and I blink furiously, memories of my daughter and him together making me smile.
" They were attached at the hip," I say, wiping a tear from my cheek.
" Did you ever have cause to think that Mr. Jackson would ever bring harm to your child?" he asks, and I shake my head furiously.
" Absolutely not. If I had the slightest inkling that Mr. Jackson would do anything horrible to my daughter I wouldn't have let her spend so much time with him," I say, my voice defiant as I meet Grace's eyes.
" With that said, is it true that you fell in love with Mr. Jackson?" he asks, and I blink once before nodding.
" Yes," I say, not missing the small murmurs of the court room.
" I present to you evidence twenty seven-A. Miss. James can you tell me what this is?" he asks, and I glance over the pregnancy test results that are in front of me.
" They are pregnancy test results," I say, my voice thickening.
" Can you read it for me," he asks, and I nod.
" Pregnancy test results for Daniella James, the test results have come back positive," I read, closing my eyes at the loud gasps reverberating off of the walls.
" How far along are you Miss. James?" he asks as I slide the paper back to him.
" Twelve weeks," I answer, my hand resting on my stomach.
" Twelve weeks, can you read this out loud Miss James. Evidence number 27-B," he says, handing me another slip of paper.
" Date of conception for Miss. James' unborn child was anywhere between December the twelfth, and December the fourteenth. However, discovering the date of actual conception is not one hundred percent do-able, these dates are my best medical opinion," I say, handing the paper back to Johnny.
" When did you and Mr. Jackson begin sleeping together Miss. James," he asks, and I blush deeply, running a hand nervously through my hair.
" Our first time together was on December twelfth, not again until the fourteenth, and every night after that until Christmas Eve," I say, my eyes glistening with the memory.
" So if you and Mr. Jackson were together on the fourteenth, would it be possible for Mr. Jackson to do the things that the Mitchell's claim he did," he asks, his voice growing louder.
" No. We were together all night," I say, and he smiles handing me a tissue.
" No further questions your honor," he says, taking his seat next to Michael, whose eyes were have never left mine.
" Prosecution, any questions?" the judge asks, and I groan when the prosecutor walks towards me.
" Miss. James you claim you fell in love with Mr. Jackson," the lawyer says, and I sigh heavily. Johnny warned me that the prosecution would try to undermine my feelings.
" Yes," I answer, my fists balling up into tight fists.
" Are you still in love with him," he asks, and my eyes flash up at him. I didn't see that one coming, and before I can open my mouth Johnny bursts in.
" I object. There is no reason for my witness to answer this question, her feelings towards my client don't play a role in this," he states, and I smile hoping I'm off the hook.
" Your honor it does. If the witness still harbors feelings for Mr. Jackson she would be willing to lie for the defendant," he says. The judge stares at me for a second.
" Over ruled. Miss. James please answer the question," the judge says.
" Yes, yes I'm still in love with Mr. Jackson," I say, my heart thumping in my chest.
" Would you say your so in love that you would do anything for Mr. Jackson," he asks, and I stare at him dumbly.
" Absolutely," I answer honestly. I would do anything for him.
" Lie for him?" he asks, a sickening smile on his face.
" No."
" But you just said you would do anything for him, who is to say Mr. Jackson didn't slip out of the room with you knowing it to do what he did," he asks, and I stare at him.
" I would do anything for Michael. But I wouldn't lie for him, especially about something like this. I am a mother," I say, but I'm cut off quickly.
" Correction, you were a mother," he says, and his words cut into me like a knife. I feel the tears burning my eyes,
" No, I am a mother. I have a daughter, and I'm carrying a child as we speak, I could never in my right mind lie to cover up something like what he is being accused of doing. The thought of it makes me sick, and I wouldn't lie because I wouldn't want to set that sot of example for my children," I say, my voice defiant.
" But your daughter died while living with Mr. Jackson did she not. In fact didn't you leave her alone because you were too busy dealing with a personal issue? Didn't something that happened between Mr. Jackson and your daughter upset her so much that she was running away from him, when she was fatally struck?" he demands, and I open my mouth my breath hitching out of my chest.
" I, I'm sorry. I don't see the point of this question," I say, tears clouding my eyes. I was here to save Michael, not here to be questioned about my parenting abilities.
" Your honor," Johnny yells, and then pandemonium breaks loose. Grace Mitchell stands to her feet, catching everyone's attention.
" Just stop it. She isn't the one on trial here. There shouldn't even be a trial, it was all a lie," she shrieks and the court room buzzes with voices as my head swims her tear filled eyes meeting mine.
" Quiet in the court room, now," the judge yells and silence falls so quickly I am afraid that I had dreamt that part, made it up in a feeble attempt to get away form the abrasive questions of the prosecution.
" Miss. Mitchell, what are you saying?" the judge asks, his eyes narrowing in anger.
" The entire story was made up. My husband was upset when his attempts to have Mr. Jackson finance a movie were rejected. It was never supposed to go this far, he swore that Mr. Jackson would settle, and when he didn't my husband swore he would bring him down. I wasn't going to say anything, I was told he would take my son away from me if I told the truth. But Daniella and Mr. Jackson don't deserve this. Mr. Jackson is a good man, and I refuse to stand by in silence anymore," she says, and the tightness in my chest subsides.
" I'm going to call for a half an hour recess," the judge says after a silent moment, getting up to leave. I walk, as if I'm on water towards Brandon, Kyle, and my mom.
" Dani, are you okay?" my mom asks, looking at me. The truth is the room is spinning so quickly I'm afraid I'm going to pass out.
" I need to sit down Mom," I say, Brandon and Kyle wrapping their arms around my waist, leading me back to the private room we had been sitting in, I drop into a chair, dropping my head between my knees drawing deep breaths, praying that its almost over.
Half an hour later I sit in the courtroom, holding tightly onto Brandon and Kyle's hand, my mothers hand on my lap. The judge has been sitting, staring at everyone a dark look on his face.
" In the case of the people of California versus Michael Jackson, I am dismissing all charges. Before I dismiss the court, I have just a few things to say," he says, taking his glasses off rubbing his eyes. " I think it is absolutely admirable that Miss. James came forward the way that she did, not many people would be so open and willing to put themselves in the line of fire for someone else. I would also like to apologize to you Mr. Jackson. It was absolutely disturbing to me that you had to go through any of this, and I hope that now that your name is cleared you will be able to find some sense of happiness. As for the prosecution. Mr. Davis, the next time your in my court room, I will not think twice about throwing you out if you ever blatantly and so disrespectfully question a persons parenting abilities, especially when thos abilities pertain to a child who has paaed away. Court dismissed." the cheers that ring through the court room shake the ground and I smile throwing my arms around my family.
" You did it Dani, you saved him," Brandon says, kissing my cheek wildly.
" No, no, we did it," I say, crying as I lay my hands over my stomach. I walk arm and arm out of the court room, ready to face the public. I look back just once as we rush to our car, finding Michael looking around for me. His eyes meet mine and I just smile, knowing he is safe, and that he will be okay, I can let him go, now that this hell is over.