Chapter 24
"So in your professional opinion Doctor Huang, the defendant is not mentally unwell," ADA O'Hair asked. Huang sat on the witness stand the next day as the New Jersey court was holding a hearing to go over the results of the exam.
"Narcissistic, intelligent, and calculating, but not crazy," Huang explained.
"Thank you," O'Hair smiled and concluded his questions.
"Let me get this straight Doctor. The prosecution is claiming that my client murdered a woman here in New Jersey and stole her car all so he could continue to commit crimes in New York. How exactly does the FBI not have any stake in this case? How can you be impartial?" The new defense attorney, Sandra Burns, wanted to know.
"The only offense that the defendant could be charged with federally is the stealing of the car in New Jersey and then using it in New York. Since the murder charges trump that, New York and New Jersey are going to each have a chance to get justice," Huang was calm.
"All right, so let's turn our attention to my client. He commits murder in two states, steals cars, attempts to kill an NYPD detective and somehow he isn't crazy. Isn't that a little odd?" Burns pressed.
"I believe your client is a sociopath. He shows no remorse for what he's done. He's incredibly manipulative. That's how he got the women to trust him enough to get into his car. My guess is that the original assault of Elizabeth Stevenson emboldened him. She did not report it to the college authorities only complaining about her professor, who was physically unable to commit the crime of rape. He then moved onto prostitutes or women that would not be readily missed.
I believe that when he stumbled onto Elizabeth again, walking the streets alone, in the winter, without the proper clothing on, he thought that he could grab her, do what he wanted to her, and kill her. She was the only living witness to his crimes and his true self. She posed the greatest risk. It is unlucky for him that some racist people had been trying to tag and light the Middle Eastern restaurant on fire. The owner placed a camera to catch the doers in the act and instead got your client," the doctor finished.
"That doesn't explain why his fingerprints were found at Michelle Han's home," Burns pointed out.
"He was sloppy, but to be honest, they probably would not have caught him if her car and chemicals from her workplace hadn't gone missing. Once they got his prints off of the equipment at DeWitt Chemical, they matched them to the prints in her home. Those prints were found inside the storage locker with Michelle's car and the stolen chemicals, along with Elizabeth Stevenson," Huang said.
"Taking all that into consideration, doesn't the fact that he was sloppy and did get caught, and then refuses to take a deal, even with damning evidence right in front of him, mean that there is something mentally wrong with him?" Burns asked.
"Sloppy because he'd become overconfident or was in a rush. As for refusing to take a deal, I think, he thinks, he can manipulate the jury, just as he manipulated the women he killed," the FBI agent responded. Burns heaved a sigh and the judge turned to her and wanted to know,
"Any more questions counselor?"
"No your honor," she admitted.
"Then I find the defendant competent to stand trial. Doctor Huang, you may step down. ADA O'Hair, you offered a deal previously, is that deal still on the table?" Judge Simes asked.
"The deal is still on the table your Honor. ADA Casey Novak from the New York DA's office is in agreement with the deal," he explained.
"Miss Burns, can your client agree to the terms set forth by the district attorney?" Simes gave her a look.
"Chambers your Honor?" She asked. The judge raised an eyebrow and then agreed to the terms. Casey had been sitting in the gallery and quickly went to join O'Hair.
"What couldn't be discussed in front of your client Miss Burns?" Simes inquired.
"My client wants his day in court. He refuses to budge. He's threatening to fire me if he doesn't get his way," she explained.
"I'm beginning to see a pattern forming here your Honor," O'Hair said.
"There's nothing I can do if this guy wants his day in court. Off the record Margie," he stated to his stenographer. She nodded and he continued, "Personally, I think he's nuts. Not only will the jury convict but they'll go for the death penalty, for however long we still have it." The judge said.
"I agree but if he keeps firing his attorneys, he'll never go to trial and at some point, he may attempt to file for bail. He gets out on bail and he's gone your Honor," O'Hair told them.
"I agree," Burns nodded.
"Back on the record, Margie," Simes said. Again she nodded and the judge continued, "Short court date to be set. Miss Novak, is New York set to proceed should it be necessary?"
"Yes, your Honor. The grand jury indicted yesterday. The courts are aware of our situation and are awaiting your ruling," she explained.
"Very good. Off to trial, we go," Simes said. The little gathering broke up and headed back into the courtroom. Simes declared the hearing over and Huang walked up to Casey.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Alvarez wants to go to trial. Are you sure he's not crazy?" She gave him a look.
"I'm sure of it," Huang gave her a look.
"We need to help O'Hair nail him if he takes the stand," Casey said.
"Agreed," Huang nodded. The two turned to the ADA in question and then got to work planning their next steps as they headed for his office. The only reassurance they had was that New York would get their crack at Alvarez should New Jersey fail.
Meanwhile, Elliot was helping Olivia settle in. He'd been helping keep track of her medications and when she was supposed to be taking them. He'd also helped to undress and redress her rashes with ointment, gauze, and tape.
"I like being pampered," she smiled as her partner came back over to the couch where she was relaxing.
"Well hopefully we can do something a little more fun once your follow up appointment," he chuckled. It was still two days away from the appointment and Elliot had vowed to sleep on that same couch to keep an eye on her.
"What do you have in mind?" she waggled her eyebrows.
"Down girl," he chuckled.
"Well we know where your mind has been," Olivia laughed.
"The gutter is a very fashionable place, don't you know," Elliot teased. She laughed and grabbed the nearby pillow to hit him with it.
"I'm going to let that go because you're sick," he said.
"Oh I know I'll never live that down," she teased. Elliot was going to reply when his cellphone went off. He picked it up and answered,
"Stabler,"
"Dickie? What's going on?" Olivia wasn't sure but it didn't sound good. She was off the couch in a hurry, putting on her sneakers and coat. She grabbed Elliot's gear and he put it on while he was listening to his son.
"We'll be right there. Don't move!" He told him and he hung up. Olivia tossed him the keys to his unmarked sedan.
"Kathy is screaming at the department representative. If she doesn't calm down, the officer that went with her is threatening to arrest Kathy. Something is very wrong," he explained as they climbed into the car.
"Let's get over there," Olivia said. She put the light on top of the car and Elliot threw on the siren as they raced over to his ex-wife's place.
To Be Continued…