The Swagger of Joe

Anyone could tell Joe's arrogance was in full force, when he entered the courtroom. The courtroom was SRO (standing room only), due to the fact that Juniak had called in extra officers, in addition to the security force of Rangeman and their usual guards.

Seeing new marks upon Joe's face, Judge Sharpton wanted to grin internally, but knew he was to 'up hold the law.' He knew what had happened, but had to ask anyways. 'Mr Morelli, what happened from the time you left my court room yesterday, till now?' Joe said nothing, looking down at his feet the whole time.

Hearing Joe's 'talking out loud speech' in the cell, the night before, he knew what was going to happen ahead of time. He and Melissa had prepared for this moment since the beginning of the trial, even before hand when he heard he was getting the case from Juniak in New York City.

Morelli looked even worse for wear if possible, his arm was in a sling, (due to Manny's knee bending it at an awkward angle till the elbow popped out of place) and Hector got some of his own playtime, having his *cupcake* to himself in the shower last night. Joe was limping and Hector, well he was grinning. Rangeman had paid well into the commissary for the men in jail to 'stay away from the showers for an hour.' Oh, yes indeed.

Wanting to take the stand, Joe was impatient to get this day over with, he was so confident he could sway the Judge over to his side, if only he could talk through his swollen lips and mouth that is. Morelli looked around the courtroom; surprise was on his face as he saw the hate on several faces directed at him since he entered.

His mother wouldn't even look at him. However, Frank had nailed him with a steely glare; the disgust in his eyes for Morelli had him looking down on the ground as he shuffled forward. He wasn't really paying attention, when he tripped on his feet. Guess Bobby's grip had slipped and there went Morelli down on the ground, for all to see.

He had connected his nose to Tanks boot in the fall somehow. Blood was spurting out. He heard the snickers in the courtroom, but couldn't be sure if Stephanie was one of them. This just furthered his resolve to get up on the stand. He looked around the room as Vinnie helped him up, holding a handkerchief to Joe's nose.

Joe tried to see Stephanie, to see if she noticed what had happened when he fell, his vision was blocked as she had guards all around her and her family, ready to hustle her out of there, if need be. Joe's mouth was something everyone was fearing and hearing about that night again in his own words. Melissa had told her she didn't need to be here for Joe's testimony. Stephanie had insisted on seeing this through to the 'bitter end.' She needed 'justice' in the worst possible way and it was going to come via Melissa Dorrier.

Of course, Vinnie didn't even ask if he was all right, he could give a fuck less. He just wanted to get this over with and then get onto closing arguments. Then, he was out of there.

There was no doubt after talking to Melissa and the Judge about the case over drinks and dinner last night. There was no defense, none. It was unusual for them to be together, but Vinnie wanted his cousin to have this over with. He was the one that called her on the phone and she arranged for the meeting in a secluded area.

'Court in session, All Rise.' The bailiff said.

'Be seated,' Judge Sharpton said.

With that said, they were off. They hoped this wouldn't take too long. Everyone was praying that closing arguments would be even shorter. Getting the conviction with Joe taking the stand. This was going to be the easiest case for Melissa that she had ever been involved with. Her new job would start in two weeks in Trenton. She would be one of the lead prosecutors in the 'Domestic Violence Docket', dealing with women that had children especially.

'Defense calls Joseph Morelli to the stand,' Vinnie said. Joe had the leg restraints and handcuffs finally removed, all were zip ties and it did free him up in his movement, hence the guards around Stephanie's family.

Joe stood up, smiled and winked at Stephanie catching her eye and that of Carlos Manoso. He saw Stephanie cringe and he paled when he saw that he had the Cuban man's attention. He was standing right next to Stephanie, at the end of her pew, glaring at him the whole time.

Joe was pale by the time he was on the stand with his hand raised 'swearing to tell the truth, the whole truth so help him God', he heard snorts of derision on that remark he made.

No one believed him, not one in that courtroom.

'What is the crime you are accused of here today, Mr. Morelli' Vinnie asked his client.

'I am accused of several crimes, sir' Joe replied.

'What is your reason for taking the stand today? Are you hoping for a lighter sentence or not one at all? Are you hoping to leave here a free man, after all this today?' Vinnie asked Morelli.

Morelli was silent, unable to get the words to come out of his mouth.

Minutes passed, without a sound in the courtroom, just the clicking of the clock high above the Judge on the wall.

Locking eyes on his mother, who had tears on her face falling silently, a handkerchief up to her mouth, he had remained silent.

'I have no further questions of this person,' Vinnie said. Effectively handing Morelli over to Melissa for her turn at him, since Joseph chose not to answer after all, that changed her game plan once again.

'The State needs ten minutes, your Honor,' Melissa asked for and received, while Joe sat on the witness stand. Watching the prosecutor go to her briefcase and pull out a thick notebook of papers, while directly staring at him in the eyes, a lethal glance letting him know by him not answering, the game changed again. Poor Joe, (NOT) when would he ever learn?

It appeared, it wasn't going to be today.

Melissa gave the nod, and the gavel came down, 'court back in session' rang out in the courtroom.

Melissa had the podium moved directly in front of Morelli, giving him no chance of seeing Stephanie's face during this testimony. He was shifting side to side and trying to look over her shoulder. It was then that he saw Frank Plum staring directly at him.

Rangeman had worked the seating out with the family and Melissa as another way to block his view, hoping he would get more agitated by not seeing her and maybe blurt out something so shocking. They were hopeful his true intentions would come rushing out just to see his 'cupcake' and they all could get this over with.

'So, Mr. Morelli,' disdain in her voice, 'please tell the court why you so graciously decided to take the stand after your outbursts earlier in the week? Did you in fact assault the victim?

Not waiting for him to reply, she continued with the questioning.

Was it true you wrote all over the bathroom walls after you held her down, forcibly raped and assaulted her?

Why did you choose her? Was it true you had a 'crush' on the victim for years and was stalking her like a witness before had described?'

Melissa was burying him under the barrage of questions. Seeing him get more and more agitated as she asked him. He couldn't see Stephanie to tell her 'his own version' of the events. He was still shook up over hearing her say 'she hated him and wished he would go to prison.' How could she say that to him? They were meant to be together. He chose her. Why couldn't she see that?

He would get rid of that 'Cuban man' as soon as he was set free, he thought.

Why couldn't he see her? Why wouldn't the prosecutor move so he could see her face and her beautiful blue eyes?

'ENOUGH' Joe stood up and shouted.

Seeing Stephanie as he stood up, he was finally able to talk. He said, all the while looking at her, his voice rising with each word. 'I DID ALL THOSE THINGS. I LOVE HER AND I SHOWED HER HOW MUCH I LOVED HER! 'IN MY OWN WAY.' THE WAY A MAN LOVES A WOMAN RIGHT BEFORE HE LEAVES TOWN. THE ONLY WAY I KNEW HOW. WHAT I DID COULD HAVE BEEN CONSTRUDED AS BEING WRONG, BUT IT FELT RIGHT TO ME, SO YES I DID THAT. ALL THAT SHE SAID I DID! It really did happen.' Panting from his confession, Joe turned to the judge and said, 'I am guilty of choosing a woman, the way they should be chosen. I did it the Morelli way, but I hope you show mercy on me, after all I admitted it here in front of you,' he finished talking and sat back down.

Melissa stepped away from the podium saying 'I'm finished with this witness, your honor.'

'The court will take a break before final arguments,' Judge Sharpton said, looking at Vinnie who was sitting there with his mouth open 'do you have anything to ask your client for rebuttal?' Vinnie shook his head and said for the record. 'No questions your Honor' and then added 'the defense rests'.

You may step down Mr Morelli, Judge Sharpton said. Joe got down and went to sit in his seat, trying to get Stephanie's attention the whole time.

Inside Melissa was jumping up and down with joy, thinking 'slam dunk!'

Stephanie was trying hard not to lose it, right there in the courtroom. She felt nauseous and wanted to puke from hearing how Joe thought the events had happened. Carlos was right there, took Stephanie in his arms and held her. He didn't care anymore what Morelli thought or saw. Morelli buried himself on that stand.

Now only one thing remained.

Closing arguments.