McCoy's mouth was a thin tense line. The questions he had thrown at Kendall hadn't had the effect he was hoping for. He was wondering if he had made the right decision, skirting around his defence plea so he could drown Jackson in evidence when it was his turn to present testimony. That had been his plan but the judge was not very accommodating when it came to surprises; he hoped he hadn't misjudged his big reveal.

"Mr Montgomery," said the judge, "I understand you have one last witness to present."

"Yes your honour." said Jackson, "Although I would reserve the right to call Bianca as a witness for the prosecution… if she gets here in time."

"As I agreed." said the judge nodding, jotting another note on the paperwork before him.

Jackson nodded.

"The prosecution would like to call Jesse Hubbard, Pine Valley Chief of Police, to the stand."

The judge raised an eyebrow to that.

McCoy's face lit up. This was the opening he needed to humiliate the mighty Jackson Montgomery.

Jackson didn't notice the grin on the rival lawyers face, but Caleb caught it and frowned. What game was the defence up to now?

As Jesse was sworn in, Caleb watched McCoy giving his assistant quiet instructions. McCoy noticed Caleb's eyes narrow as they watched him but he just returned a cheesy grin. Let the old timer try to figure that out. He tried not to laugh at the annoyance on Caleb's face.

Jackson had already begun to question the police chief.

"Chief Inspector Hubbard please could you give us the details of the case."

Jesse pulled out the police report for reference but he knew it off by heart now.

"A 911 call was made for police and an ambulance to the Pine Valley Arts Centre at 20:36 reporting an assault. Officers were on site under 15 minutes. An APB was issued for JR Chandler after five witnesses reported him fleeing the scene. Bianca Montgomery and Ryan Lavery were transported to Pine Valley Hospital for medical treatment. At 22:43 JR's presence at the Martin Household was reported and Dixie Martin was taken to hospital for treatment after he son assaulted her and tied her up. At 22:57 JR was arrested attempting to flee the country on his private jet. The pilot was also arrested for aiding a known fugitive, an envelope containing a bribe of $20,000 was found on the pilot. The money was traced back to an account belonging to Chandler Enterprises, accessed by JR Chandler a few hours before."

"What does this tell you?" asked Jackson.

"That JR was a guilty man. After testimony from the victim, other witnesses at the scene, JRs action after the assault, the physical evidence – his blood on Bianca's neck where he tried to strangle her. This is as tight a case as I have ever seen. JR is, without a shadow of doubt, guilty of the assault and attempted murder of Bianca Montgomery."

"Thank you." said Jackson a victorious smile on his face. He turned to McCoy. "Your turn to question."

McCoy got to his feet delighted that he would soon be wiping that smug smile from his rival's face.

"Chief Inspector Hubbard, you personally questioned my client."

"I did." said Jesse sitting forward confidently in his chair.

"The interview room is monitored by video equipment."

"That is correct." said Jesse, a touch of confusion on his face at the unexpected line of questioning.

"Your honour," said McCoy turning back to bench. "I would like to offer this video as evidence for the defence."

As he spoke a large television was wheeled into the courtroom.

"Have you watched the video back since it was recorded?" The defence lawyer asked.

"I have in fact, yes."

"All of it?"

"What do you mean? I mean yes I watched all of it."

"I don't think that's true." said McCoy as he pressed play on the DVD remote. "Please talk us through what we are seeing."

Jesse turned to the screen and licked his lips. He had no idea what was going on. He hadn't slipped up, had he? He had been more than a little tense that night but he was certain he hadn't broken any police procedure, although it probably wasn't a good idea to keep questioning JR after he had refused to talk without a lawyer.

The video had begun playing from the moment Jesse had made his comment about JR's guilty conscious and JR had flinched so unexpectedly.

"I was trying to drawn him out." explained Jesse, "It is a well-established questioning technique; finding the right buttons to press in order to get a response from the suspect. This is actually towards the end of the interview."

On screen Brot appeared to call Jesse away to the telephone.

"This is where I terminated the interview in order to answer a phone call from the Governor."

The video kept playing past the point of Jesse leaving the room and JR was left, sat alone at the table.

"Did you watch it past this point?" asked McCoy.

"No." said Jesse, "There is nothing more to see. An officer will be back in about ten minutes to take JR to the cells."

"Oh no, there is something very relevant to this case to see."

McCoy turned the volume up on the television and sat back onto the edge of the desk.

"Here we go." said the young lawyer with a self-satisfied grin.

Everyone's eyes turned to the monitor.

On the screen JR hadn't moved from his seat but the smug look he had worn during Jesse's questioning was gone. JR had visibly wilted in his chair, as if the whole thing had been an act.

Then unexpectedly, JR turned to his right, focusing on someone who wasn't there.

"Shut up I'm not listening to you, this is all your fault." He whispered harshly.

Then he paused as if he was listening to a reply. JR did not look happy with the response he was hearing.

"Just go to hell." He snarled angrily to empty air.

Then JR's head snapped round to his left.

"And don't you go acting all high and mighty." he said in an indignant tone. "I blame you as well."

Then his outburst concluded JR placed his palms on the table in front of him and stared at his hands. Even on the grainy camera footage you could clearly see the red marks and scratches on JRs knuckles from where he had attacked Bianca. Chief Hubbard starred at the screen not knowing what to think.

"What were we just seeing?" asked the judge.

"My client pleads diminished responsibility due to mental illness. I have a doctor who has diagnosed JR as schizophrenic. My client was not in control of his actions of the night of the assault and cannot be held responsible."

"LIAR!" screamed Kendall. She was on her feet pointing angrily at JR. "That bastard faked it!"

"Mrs Hart-Slater please refrains from further outbursts or you will be removed from this court room." cautioned Judge Marshall

"No." cried Kendlal angrily.

"I will not warn you again!" said the Judge pointedly.

Kendall couldn't keep silent. Marissa grabbed her wrist to try and hold her back but Kendall pulled away, too angry to stop. She stepped away from her seat and marched to the gate that barred onlookers from the actual courtroom.

"He is not going to get away with this." She yelled fiercely. "He is not going get himself shut up for a few weeks in some cosy hospital; when he should be rotting in a prison cell."

"That's enough young woman." ordered the judge brusquely. "Please take her out of my sight."

Two guards came forward to escort her out.

"You can't throw me out! This is my sister's trial."

"And this is my court room." replied the judge. "Or do you want me to add actual charges for contempt of court?"

He signalled the guards to take her out of the courtroom with a dismissive wave.

One guard grasped Kendall's arm and began to escort her to the door.

Kendall was still crying out in indignation as they marched her from the room.

"How can you, for one second, buy that b…"

The door slammed shut behind her, cutting of her protest.

The judge cleared his throat.

"Mr McCoy, I hope you have the evidence to back up your claim.

…

*I can almost hear the collective cries of 'nooooooo!' but it had to be done. Sorry*

*ALSO - Last day for any baby name suggestions – boy and girl. There are some great ones so far.*