Tad found himself the first person to enter the courtroom but he had heard word that the rest of the Pine Valley contingent was on their way. He took a seat three rows from the back and stared towards the judge's bench. There wasn't much more he could do in the hunt for Henderson, the ball was now in Jackson's court. Now he was here to see what happened to JR. Despite everything he was going to be there for his boy. Maybe this time JR would finally do the right thing… Maybe he was finally going to realise how this trial was going to affect his son…
…
Carol took her seat on the defendant's bench, muttering angrily under her breath. JR had never been the most co-operative of clients, always whining about how the press coverage she worked so hard to arrange was hurting his son but now he was a whole different kind of distracted. After his release she sat him down and went through the whole appeal plan. After the pleas she had arranged an exclusive press interview with the Inquirer's top reporter back at the hotel which was guaranteed to get them full front page coverage. Her angle for the trial was to bring in a couple of experts who were going to talk about alcoholism and how drinking impairs judgement and increases paranoia. She was also going to stress the effects of Bianca and Marissa's betrayal and how Marissa, choosing to punish him further by taking his son, was the final straw to push him over the edge. JR didn't seem to be paying much attention to her words, but when she mentioned AJ he turned his focus to her.
"Lady." he said, his eyes cold as he stared back at her. "The only reason I am here is to win back my son. If you do anything to jeopardise that I will make you sorry!"
Carol had been shaken by the determination in his eyes.
She tried not to let it show though.
"JR Chandler that is why I am here!" she said smartly.
JR just sneered at her and turned away.
He was clearly working to his own agenda, well never mind she didn't need the man's help to win this case for him, she could do it alone.
…
Bianca followed Marissa into the court room, the clump of her braced foot sounding loud in the quiet. She always hated these places. Her past experiences no doubt colouring her views. Marissa however seemed perfectly at home. With her memory returned, her lawyer instincts were coming to the fore. Marissa was now wearing a professional mask of confidence although Bianca was well aware of the underlying nerves she was concealing about today and the days ahead.
Bianca spotted her mom and Krystal sitting in the third row talking with Tad and gave them all a wave, but they seemed a little preoccupied with something. Jesse was in the row just behind sitting with his son Frankie. Frankie at least waved back.
Marissa took a seat directly behind the DA and leaned forward to talk to him. Bianca knew her girlfriend was still worried about the stipulations they knew Carol was going to put on her providing evidence. Bianca slid in beside her. Just as she was taking her seat the door to the right of the judge's bench openned and JR was led in between two guards. He looked their way as he entered and for a moment it seemed like he was going to march across the room and confront them, but then it looked like he thought better of it and without a word he took his seat beside his defence council.
…
Marissa couldn't help but notice the way Bianca tensed when JR entered the room. He looked so different from the JR in her memory. He was thin and scrawny with a scrabbly beard on his chin. He looked ill in fact. The boastful, cocky, playboy had completely vanished.
Carol Robinson his defence council was there as well. It looked like she was trying to have a conversation with JR but he was having none of it. This was the first time Marissa had had the opportunity to see in the flesh the woman who was responsible for the living hell her family had been put through over the past few months. The woman had badly dyed hair, was wearing way too much lipstick and Marissa was pleased to note the cut of her suit was three seasons out of date. It was a small thing to feel superior about but dating the daughter of a fashion icon, helped her keep her eye in. It felt the good kind of mean to notice those little faux pas no one else could see, especially on someone you didn't like.
The woman had the gall to turn their way and smile. Marissa looked briefly over to Bianca to see how she was taking it. She was very happy to see her girlfriend giving Carol her best Kane stare right back. Marissa watched with glee as JR's lawyer visibly flinched.
Suddenly, as the court room around them settled, a door opened and the bailiff appeared.
"All rise for the honourable Judge Greenway!" he announced
…
Judge Greenway was a tall, slim figure who silently took his seat and motioned for the rest of the room to do the same.
"Before we begin." He said, "I understand both the defence and the prosecution have requests to put forward."
Carol hopped to her feet, happy you see she had beaten Derek to the punch.
"Your honour, part of the evidence that is planned to be submitted by the prosecution includes testimony from my client taking during an unrelated hearing. This statement was made while my client was not of sound mind. He was suffering from schizophrenia and therefore I asked for that statement to be withdrawn from record for fear it will prejudice his defence."
"That request is acceptable." said the judge. "Will the prosecution please withdraw this evidence from their testimony!"
The DA looked suddenly dejected but rallied quickly.
"Very well your honour. The prosecution also request addition evidence be submitted from the victim Marissa Tasker. Her amnesia has been cured and she can add substantial insight to the events of that night."
"Objection!" exclaimed Carol, "The claims by the victim that her memories have returned just days before the trial are unsubstantiated and highly suspect. The defence demand a full medical exam by an independent doctor, to provide evidence of this 'convenient' cure before testimony can be submitted."
Carol gave the jury a wide grin. It always paid to get a few digs in as early as possible to get the jurors on your side.
"Will your witness submit to this exam?" the judge asked.
"She will your honour."
"Very well." said the judge making a note on his pad. "Your requests are both acceptable now let us get on with business."
He gave the bailiff a nod to continue.
The bailiff cleared his throat.
"Case 9155678, the court of Pennsylvania vs. Adam Chandler Junior. On the counts of breaking and entry, theft, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted murder how do you plead?"
Carol rose to her feet and cleared her throat.
"On all four accounts my client pleads…"
"Guilty!"
Carol's head whipped round to see JR Chandler on his feet.
"I'm guilty!" he exclaimed again. "I lured Marissa and Bianca to the party by stealing my cousin's phone. I lay in wait for them with a gun and when that crazy woman appeared I shot her but when I realised I had one bullet left I shot Marissa as well. And I meant to kill her. I am guilty and I am willing to take my punishment..." He turned to look at Marissa and Bianca who were both watching him in stunned silence. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But I'm going to do the right thing for once in my life. I want to make amends, I want to make this right because it is the only way left for me to have a chance with AJ. To make it up to my son – I know I've hurt him." His eyes then found Tad in the crowd. "I realise now I have to be a man my son can be proud to call dad! If I show him that I can accept my mistakes and learn from them and then maybe, just maybe he can find it in his heart to forgive me?" he turned back to court. "Your honour I am guilty and I am ready to go to jail!"
The judge didn't seem very impressed with JR's outburst.
"Mrs Robinson, please control your client!"
Carol's face was white as a sheet.
"Your honour I want you to ignore my client's last statement." she said quickly.
"No I'm guilty!" JR bellowed over her, pressing forward towards the judge's bench and desperately grabbing a fistful of his robes.
"My client has just been released from a mental institution," she shouted over JR's protests. "I think they let him out too soon!"
The two guards wrestled JR away from the judge and the whole court room was suddenly in pandemonium as reporters darted from the room and people where on their feet surging forward.
The only people who didn't move were Bianca and Marissa.
In the confusion they both reached across and squeezed each other's hand. Had that really just happened?
…