I'm back with another brand new chapter. Sorry for being away, but the weather's changing and I'm preparing to go back to school next month. I just have a lot going on right now, which is why I haven't been updating as much on my stories. But, don't worry; I'm still alive and well and I'll continue writing my stories because it's what I love to do. Writing isn't just a hobby of mine. It's a passion.
One more thing; as I mentioned before, this story is winding down because I have yet another story in the works. It's called 'Hurting, Healing and Loving'. Please take the time to read it, please. It'll mean a lot to me.
Enjoy and happy reading!
Lots of love, hugs and kisses from your resident writer and friend, Nina!
X
Texas Supreme Court
Dallas, Texas
May 2, 2011
Shane and Kenny were both brought into the courtroom in shackles; both looking completely disheveled, but well dressed in their business suits. Today was the first day of their trial and they weren't looking forward to having to deal with spectators and onlookers watching the whole thing unfold right before their nosey eyes. Every single entertainment show, local news and even national publications were highlighting the case; especially after what happened at Wrestlemania almost a month ago.
The prosecution successfully filed a motion to have Shane and Kenny be tried as co-conspirators; meaning that those two would be tried at the same time, in the same courtroom, in the same town. Kenny's also in the process of filing a lawsuit against the WWE for wrongful termination, even though there's evidence that he stabbed Maria twice in front of the Dallas crowd. His lawyer's also pleading temporary insanity because Kenny wasn't in his right mind when he stabbed Maria and/or abusing her when they were dating. There was also speculation that Kenny was also seeking legal action against Maria and/or Mickie for slander and emotional distress.
Shane wasn't faring much better. He wasn't able to gain access to his bank accounts or any of his assets because it was seized and frozen at Vince's request. The matriarch of the McMahon family made it clear in the press that his son wasn't gonna get any help from him because his actions were treacherous. And, if Shane manages to get acquitted, he won't have a job anymore and Vince will make sure that no other wrestling organization will take his only son in as an employee. Talk about adding insult to injury.
Maria was released from the hospital almost two weeks after she was stabbed at the grandest stage of them all. Dwayne ended up taking her back to his apartment in LA so that she could be able to recuperate; not only physically, but also emotionally. The Chicago native ended up talking to a counselor to sort out her feelings and to figure out if she could be able to face anyone again after experiencing something traumatic. Maria also has nightmares about Shane and Kenny and even contemplated committing suicide at one point, but whenever she wakes up, she quickly realizes that she's safe with Dwayne holding her in his strong arms and he's doing everything he can to ensure her safety and protection.
Speaking of Dwayne, a large part of him still blames himself for what happened at Wrestlemania. However, Maria and some of their friends assured him that he's not at fault for Maria's near death. The only people who should be blamed for the fallout is Shane and Kenny; and for them to have to stand trial for their misdeeds and having to endure public humiliation is just the beginning of their eventual downfall from grace.
Shane and Kenny both took their respective places at the defenses' table and waited for the trial to begin. They both looked over their shoulders and were shocked to see Dwayne bringing a wheelchair bound Maria inside the courtroom. Even more shocking; Maria was looking somewhat pale, but overall healthy. Those two assholes didn't think she'd survive.
"All rise! Court is now in session!" the bailiff announced. Everyone in the courtroom stood up just as the judge appeared and took her place at her bench.
"You may all be seated," the bailiff said, for which everyone in the courtroom took their seats.
"At this time, I'll hear the opening arguments from both parties," Judge Lauren Lee Young said, getting right to the point.
Gregory Branson, the state prosecutor, stood up, adjusted his suit jacket and took his place right in front of the six man, six woman jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury; I've dealt with many cases of stalking, domestic violence, intimidation, obsession and even murder in my 20 years of being a prosecuting lawyer, but I've never seen anything like this in my life. A young woman's life came this close to ending thanks to the two defendants you see here today who couldn't just leave well enough alone. One, who happens to be a trust fund baby, thought he could get any woman he wanted because of his good looks and charm. However, when one woman refused his advances, he snapped big time. He started using and abusing her; tried to alienate her from her friends and even attempted to destroy a potential relationship by aligning himself with someone who abused her in the past. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I ask you to see that Shane Brandon McMahon and Kenneth James Doane be held responsible for their actions. Thank you," Gregory said before he turned on his heel and returned to his seat just as defense attorney Michael Anderson stood up.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my clients didn't have any intention to cause harm to Ms. Kanellis because they weren't in their right minds when the chaos started. It is a terrible ordeal that she had to deal with the nightmare, but let's be honest here. She has to bear some of the blame as well. If only she went out with Mr. McMahon and actually attempted a relationship with him, maybe we wouldn't be sitting here today. Now, as for Mr. Doane; I understand that leaving an abusive relationship can be hard and often times dangerous, but Ms. Kanellis did leave and maybe Kenny should've got the hint and moved on and even got some help. However, his pride and his wounded ego didn't allow him to sought out the help that he so desperately needed. Well, now, he can get help. Please, ladies and gentlemen, do you think sending those two to jail will get them help? Do you think that those tow should rot in hell for the rest of their lives. In my mind, I don't think so and hopefully, by the time all of this is over, you'll agree with me and have the heart to let them seek the help they so desperately need. Please, let them get help," Michael said before he turned on his heel and headed back towards his seat.
"With that being said, is the state ready to present their first witness?" judge Young asked.
Gregory stood up. "Yes, your honor. The people would like to call Maria Kanellis to the stand."
Dwayne wheeled her towards the stand and turned her around so that she could face the courtroom. As he went back to his seat, he winked at her; letting her know that he loves her and that everything's gonna be okay as long as she remains calm. After being sworn in by the bailiff, the redhead mentally prepared herself to present her testimony.
"Ms. Kanellis, how long have you been an employee with World Wrestling Entertainment?" Greg asked, approaching her slowly.
"Close to seven years. There was a contest I entered at the time and though I didn't win, I became a backstage announcer and ultimately, an in ring performer. I became a diva," Maria explained.
"Ms. Kanellis, how did your relationship with Mr. Doane came about? I understand he was in a relationship with another co-worker at the time, right?" Greg asked, leaning against the jury box.
Maria cleared her throat and sighed deeply. "Yes. He was engaged to one of my best friends, Mickie James, but the wedding never happened and I didn't know why. She never said anything about why they broken off their engagement until much later. As for Kenny, he approached me and asked me out right away. I initially said no because I was in another relationship at the time and I also went through a tough breakup. Kenny kept pursuing me until I finally relented and we went out to dinner. And that's when I realized that bad things were about to happen."
"How so? What was your relationship like in the beginning?" Greg asked, looking curious.
"In the beginning, things were okay between us. There wasn't any major drama between us; you know. It wasn't until that he started his singles career that I got the brunt of his anger.
It started with him yelling all the time; even over silly things. Then it escalated with him trashing locker rooms, complaining to administrative staff and even getting into confrontations with other superstars; mostly divas because he felt they were beneath him. I tried to calm him down, tried talking to him, tried to be a supporting girlfriend, but it was to no avail. It didn't take him long for him to take his anger and frustration out on me," she replied, letting tears started streaming down her face.
"How long did the abuse go on?" Greg asked, looking concerned because he could tell his witness was on the verge of completely breaking down in front of the courtroom.
"Over a year. Every chance he could get, he'd hit me, push me around, belittle me and treat me like a slave. He'd kept me under lock and key 24/7 and I wasn't allowed to talk to anyone. It wasn't until he got fired from the company the first time that I finally felt free," Maria explained, wiping her eyes with her hands.
"You finally had the courage to break up with him when he got fired, right?" Greg asked, sighing deeply.
"Yes. I broke up with him when he got fired and I thought that would be the end of that saga," she replied softly.
"However, a new chapter opened when you came across Shane McMahon, right?" Greg asked, coming out strong.
"Yes. I ended up having a whole new set of problems when I came face to face with Shane. He approached me three months ago about wanting to go out with me, but I was hesitant because I was finally starting to heal from my ordeal with Kenny. Shane has a way of charming you into doing what he wanted regardless. I admit, he's handsome, smart and successful, but he's also arrogant, cocky and kind of intimidating. So I went on a date with him; but I didn't have a good time. It was boring. I vowed never to go that route with him again, but his ego wouldn't allow him to be defeated," Maria explained.
"Did Mr. McMahon ever made any threats against you?" Greg asked, rubbing his hands together.
She cleared her throat again. "Yes. He wasn't happy that I started talking to my current boyfriend, so Shane made a comment about me being his woman. I told him that I wasn't his girlfriend and I'm not one of those women who sleeps around in order to get ahead. But, Shane has a habit of sleeping with someone who works for his company and then dumping that person like a bad habit. That wasn't the case with me because he kept pursuing me; even got to the point when he started physically assaulting me to prove his point."
"Isn't it also true that you were talking to another co-working at the time your 'relationship' with Mr. McMahon happened, according to him?" Greg asked, pointing his finger at Shane.
"Yes, which angered him to no end. That's how I ended up being physically assaulted and threatened by him. He even went on national television and humiliated me. Also, I was injured in a match, so when I ended up in the hospital, he showed up and started choking me. I would've been dead if it hadn't been for a nurse and security to come in and escorted him out. He attacked me again when I told him that I don't wanna be with him. He threatened to get me fired if I crossed him again, but I fought back," she explained, wiping her eyes with a tissue.
"When was the last time you had a run in with Mr. Doane?" Greg asked, now pointing his finger at Kenny.
"A group of superstars and divas went to a club after the show to unwind; that was normal for us employees to do because we work so hard so we deserve some down time. Dwayne and I came in together. He ordered a drink for me as I went to the ladies' room to freshen up. When I came out, I was ambushed from behind. I ended up being pushed against the wall. I was afraid that something bad would happen, so I frantically said that I'd give him anything if he let me go. However, he told me it wasn't about to happen because he had some unfinished business with me," she added, still wiping her face with a tissue.
"Ms. Kanellis, are you okay?" Greg asked, looking concerned.
"I'm fine. I'm okay. I just wanna get this over with," she honestly said.
"Okay, now, you mentioned that Mr. Doane said to you that he had some unfinished business with you. What did he mean by that?" Greg asked.
"He felt it was my fault that he lost everything; his job, his family disowned him and I was responsible. I made it clear to him that I never wanted to see him again after what he had done to me, but he wasn't having it. He made it clear that he wants me back and he's not gonna let anyone stand in his way," she stated, sniffing lightly.
"When was the last time you had a run in with both defendants?" Greg asked, picking up a manila folder and reading the contents from inside.
"Before Wrestlemania. I was on my way to catering when Shane came out of his office and had intended to visit his father, but I ended up running into him instead. He wanted to talk to me, but I made it clear that he's not my boyfriend and I wanted nothing to do with him. That didn't sit well with him because he ended up pushing me against the wall," Maria said, glaring at Shane.
"Objection, your honor! There's no proof my client physically assaulted the witness," Michael shouted.
"Actually, we have footage that we're gonna be showing to the court of everything your client and his accomplice has done," Greg countered, smiling smugly at his opponent.
"Overruled," judge Young declared.
"He threatened to hurt my friends if I didn't break up with my boyfriend and got with him. He also informed me that he had rehired my abusive ex so I'm gonna be seeing him more often, according to Shane. Then he pushed me down on the floor, slapped me hard across my face and left. I barely had the chance to get up when Kenny came right behind me and I was pushed against the wall once again. My back was already sore, but he didn't care because he wrapped his hand around my neck," she explained, now glaring at Kenny, who was glaring right back at her.
"Did he say anything?" Greg asked, looking more and more confidant.
"Yeah. He also threatened me; saying that if I didn't break up with my boyfriend that he'll cut my body up into tiny little pieces and spread me all over the United States. He stated that not even the police would be able to trace my death back to him because he'll be long gone. I told him to leave me alone, but he said no. As he released me, he said either I break up with Rocky and go back to him or death will be knocking at my door," she revealed, wiping her face with a tissue.
"And as you can see, ladies and gentlemen, she's confined to a wheelchair thanks to Mr. Doane stabbing her twice in front of 70,000 people and on national televison. All because he wouldn't leave him alone. No further questions, your honor," Greg said as he turned on his heel and headed back towards to his seat, just as Michael was standing up.
"Ms. Kanellis, I'll be brief. Isn't it true that you cheated on my client with your current boyfriend?" he asked, trying to get right to the point.
"No. Kenny cheated on me, got another woman pregnant and contracted a venereal disease. He even attempted to give it to me, but I never caught it from him," Maria replied, glaring at the attorney.
"What about Shane? I mean, clearly he wanted you, but you kept refusing his advances over and over again. Why didn't you give him a chance?" Michael asked, glaring right back at her.
She cleared her throat. "Shane's a womanizer. He'll sleep with any woman, no matter what. He also has a habit of dumping the person he slept with like a bad habit. Matter of fact; he attempted to make me jealous by flaunting his new 'flavor of the week' with another co-worker and friend, but I didn't fall for it because I knew what kind of person he is. I made it clear to him that I don't wanna have any kind of romantic relationship with him, but he didn't take the hint. He even had to recruit my ex-boyfriend to see his plans through, but it backfired on him. As for Kenny, I also made it clear to him that I didn't wanna have anything to do with him anymore after everything he had done to me, but he couldn't take the hint, either. I almost died at his hands. I know I'll never be the same again."
"No further questions, your honor," Michael said, going back to his seat abruptly and mumbling to himself.
"Young lady, you may leave," judge Young said as Dwayne began to wheel her out of the courtroom. She didn't even look at Shane and Kenny anymore because she felt she had nothing to say to them. They had hurt her long enough.
"Mike, what the hell was that about? You're supposed to be grilling her more!" Kenny hissed in his lawyer's ear.
"There's nothing more I can do right now. Besides, her testimony proved to be compelling. And, there's so much evidence against you and Shane. However, I'm not giving up. The state's gonna be calling their next witness. Don't worry; I have everything under control," Michael assured his client.
"Who's next?" Kenny asked, still looking angry.
Michael smiled brightly. "Dwayne Johnson."
Coming up in the next chapter: Rock testifies and shows videotape proof of Shane and Kenny's terrible misdeeds; causing chaos in the courtroom. Will that be enough to get a conviction or will Shane and Kenny's lawyer manages to have a trick or two up his sleeve? Stay tuned!
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