Jackson stepped from behind his desk as Frankie was sworn in.

"Dr Hubbard, you acted as police medic on the night in question. Please can you talk us through the evidence."

Frankie shuffled in his seat.

"Of course." he said. "When Bianca arrived at Pine Valley hospital she was brought straight to me. I have been her physician since she was injured during the Chandler mansion shootings; where she had been completely paralysed. Thankfully after pioneering treatment she has recovered almost total movement. On the night of the assault there was a concern that the bruising to her neck could indicate a more severe injury and we didn't want to risk her mobility. But after x-rays were taken it was shown to be safe to continue with the medical exam."

"Can you describe to the court your findings?"

"On my first sight of Bianca I noticed her dress had been torn at the shoulder. There were scratches on her face, arms and hands. The right side of her face was swollen and there was blood coming from a split lip as well as blood and extensive bruising around her neck."

"What in your medical opinion could have caused the bruising to her neck?"

"The damage to Bianca's throat could only be attributed to someone throttling her."

"We have photographs." said Jackson, submitting his evidence to the judge. "They document the injuries to Bianca Montgomery. Please note that the DNA lab results match the blood on Bianca's neck to JR Chandler."

The judge shuffled through the collection of images and scanned through the report.

"Carry on." He said after a moment.

"Dr Hubbard," continued Jackson, "You also acted for the police on examining JR for injuries."

"Yes I did." said the Doctor. "I examined him in the presence of a police officer and his lawyer."

"And what were your findings."

"There were scratches to Mr Chandlers face and arms. Bruising on his knuckles, the kind usually associated with striking a surface, or a person. There was also a bite mark on his palm."

"Do you have images of these?" asked the judge.

"Yes your honour." said Jackson handing them to the bench before turning back to Frankie. "In your medical opinion what did these injuries tell you about JR and the incident that night?"

"That Mr Chandler had been involved in a struggle. He had thrown a few punches but his opponent had fought back leaving scratches to his face and arms."

The Judge shuffled through the images once more.

"How late after the assault was this exam taken?" asked the Judge flapping the handful of photos in Frankie's direction.

"JR wasn't arrested until three hours after the assault. I saw him seven hours approximately after that."

"After he had been in the cells all night?" asked Judge Marshall, "So can you say for certain that these injuries could not have been sustained while in custody.

"Yes your honour. The scratches were well healed by time of examination and would have been at least nine hours old." said Frankie confidently.

Jackson was astonished. The judge could not have been more blatant about questioning the evidence. What was even stranger was that Justin McCoy hadn't challenged a single point.

"Do you have anything else to add Dr Hubbard." asked Jackson.

Frankie turned to stare daggers at JR who was watching the whole proceedings with an indifferent look on his face.

"I just want to add that the attack on Miss Montgomery was brutal. She had been struck in the face several times and in her current medical condition she would have found it very hard to fight back."

"Thank you Dr Hubbard." said Jackson, his questions finished; it was time to hand over to the defence.

Justin McCoy got up slowly from his chair.

"Dr Hubbard, I would like you to clarify something for me. When you described my client's injuries you said he had been in a struggle. Why did you use this particular term? Why not simply describe it as a fight."

Frankie gave Jackson a quick confused look, this wasn't the kind of cross examination he had been briefed about.

"I used the term struggle because to me the term 'fight' refers to a two way contest. In this instant JR had only attacking injuries. I could find no defensive wounds at all."

"I think you will need to explain that." said the judge, picking up the pictures once more.

Frankie happily obliged.

"If you look at JR's injuries to his arms; most of the scratches and bruises are all on the inside, like he was always attacking open armed." Frankie threw a few punches by way of demonstration before continuing. "If he had been defending himself you would expect the injuries to be on the outside of his arms and fewer marks on his face." Frankie crossed his arms across his face in a defensive gesture in demonstration. "You can see that in the pictures of Bianca's left wrist and right forearm."

"Is this unusual?" asked McCoy, "To find no defensive wounds?"

"Well as I said, in a fight both sides have some kind of defensive wound. All of JR's indicate only attack."

"Thank you." said the lawyer with a nod. "That is all for the moment. But I reserve the right to recall this witness at a later date."

"Very well." said Judge Marshall making a note at his desk. "Mr Montgomery you may call you next witness."

Jackson was thoroughly confused. Justin McCoy should have gone in all guns blazing, trying to tear apart the evidence. Instead he quibbled one minor point which only made his client look even guiltier. Jackson just couldn't understand his game plan. Caleb looked equally perplexed.

"We need to find out what that young buck is playing at." he whispered.

"Well what do you suggest?" asked Jackson in a low tone.

"I think we should miss the next two witnesses and go for her." Caleb said pointing to a name in their revised witness list.

"Are you sure?"

"I think it will be our best way to flush out what is really going on with the defence… I have my suspicions…"

Jackson nodded. He got up from behind the desk and turned to the judge.

"The prosecution would like to call Dixie Martin to the stand."

…