Episode 110: The Trial.
Special Guest Star:
Morgan Freeman as Brendan Carlisle.
It's one month later and Jeff's trial has been brought forward. Harry had refused Otto's plea to attempt to give Jeff bail and both he and Chris have had a fair share of backlashes from the public, because of what Jeff did, but they were totally unaware of his mental state.
Chris questions Emma and her friendship with Rebecca, suggesting if they have a problem? Emma denies this and that she has been preoccupied with being a wife and helping her father, Otto. What really did happen four weeks ago between Emma and Rebecca?
Abraham pays his father, Brendan a visit at his new care home and he assures his father, that it's not a punishment, but a new start and that his counselling has gone really well. Abraham hands his father a picture of Andy to him, before Brendan apologizes. Abraham leaves.
The Wilson family head into court, along with Otto on the first day of Jeff's trial. The trial is live World Wide and Harry is feeling humiliated, embarrassed and scared, as news crews await outside the courts. Hundreds of people throw abuse at the Wilsons claiming they shouldn't be trusted. Harry spots Jeff being escorted into the courtroom by police, as well as federal agents. Harry pulls Bethany aside, as the intensity takes it's toll on him.
'When this is all over, I think we should consider the future,' Harry begins.
'How do mean?' Bethany asks.
'Getting out of here, the city, start afresh somewhere else,' Harry considers.
'You're not the one on trial, Harry,' Bethany adds.
'But, the continuous backlashes, because of what Jeff did. Threatening phone calls, windows being smashed, stalking, Rebecca has been the target of hatred,' Harry explains. 'I know what you must think of me, running away isn't the answer. But, how else can I protect my family?'
'We'll cross that next bridge, once the trial is over,' Bethany insists. 'Right now, we may have to face some tough facts. Jeff will assure everyone that neither you or Chris were aware of him and Hassam Luka being in cahoots.'
'With his current mental state, I'm not sure,' Harry sighs.
Everybody is called into court.
Eugenio Perez and Lucifer Buff cannot attend, seeing as they are now deceased. Also Lola cannot be brought into the trial, as she is currently mentally unfit to attend, as personal reference for Jeff. Chris is first to take the stand and he explains, that Jeff adopted him five and a half years ago, when he was seventeen and that he was the best that he could have in a father. It's brought to light, that Jeff was getting intimate with Lola the night Sylvia was murdered by Paul Harland and that Chris had an affair with his deceased Step mother, Lea, who eventually turned into a vampire, due to the causes of the Cosmos. Chris realizes that those informants are either old friends, ex editors or current colleagues of the New York Times. Suggestion is that Chris and Jeff's father son relationship was not all plain sailing. Chris states that Jeff may have been set up and even though Jeff claims he is guilty, that he's innocent and is a good man.
Bethany is next to take the stand and explains to the court, that she remembered Jeff being the town gangster alongside Hank Willis. Bethany is asked if she was aware if Jeff Wilson and Willis was behind a cargo plane heist back in 1979, which could explain Jeff doing a disappearing act and Willis getting caught, the day of his parents murder? Bethany denies she was aware of this, considering she was subjected to a rape by the local sheriff. When questioned about her recent relationship with Jeff, she considered him to be a proud cop and had received a lot of plaudits for the helping in the Grim Reaper murders, the Cosmo's issues and September 11th events. Bethany concludes that she never thought Jeff would go so low and become a terrorist and that it doesn't make sense and that she and her husband were totally unaware of the crimes he's accused of.
When Abraham takes his place, he receives an applause for his heroics the day, a nuclear warhead was stopped from causing devastation. Abraham tells his side to the story and Jeff soon, the family are given a reality check, when it becomes clear, that Jeff is guilty, due to the combination of the warhead, which stopped it from detonating.
Otto is humiliated, when pictures are brought in of evidence, that he's been meeting with a guard, who works for Jeff's prison. It doesn't paint a good public image on Otto, considering he's been involved in previous scandals in the past.
Court is adjourned and will recess in twenty four hours. and Otto receives a negative reaction from the people of the big apple, calling, him a traitor and calls for him to be removed as senator ensue.
SOMEWHERE IN THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
The runaway leader of the Cosmos, thinks that Jeff being put behind bars is partially a success, as she would have preferred he death sentence to be brought back into the state of New York.
'My sister sure has pride in herself,' the leader moans. 'Sometimes she can be so naïve.'
'Your grace, your youngest sibling is madly in love, with Wilsons brother,' her assistant points out. 'Which explains her turning her back on you.'
'She still has the laptop and router safely contained,' the leader replies. 'She'll thank me one day, for finding her son and she'll thank me even more, for limiting the interference of Hassam Luka and that Lucifer Buff.'
'Not only do use her son to do away with those two, but you also have a dying woman murdered on a plane full of people,' the assistant sighs. 'I take it that last killing, was done for her benefit, not yours.'
'Consider that both,' the leader answers. 'My dear little sister, has an extremely jealous side, anything could have happened if that boy had been brought into the family fold. Lacy Norton's death, was the perfect opportunity, for Joshua to realize that Phil was the one who brought him up. And if my sweet sister thinks she can walk away from me, because she's so in love with the widower of princess Tina, well I'm not gonna make it easy for her...she'll come to me when she's ready. We're more alike than you think. I consider her boy a chip off the old block.'
Back in New York City, Harry is nervous on taking the stand and Otto drinks himself senseless and receives a call from a disappointed Governor. Emma assures Rebecca that she still has a place in her heart and that the one night stand, is water under the bridge. Emma and Rebecca embrace. Rebecca heads home and cries herself to sleep.
On arrival to court, Otto has to face the music again and Harry prepares to take centre stage in being interrogated in a court of law. Jeff is sat behind a glass window, between a cop and an agent. The Wilson family take their seats and Harry is called up. Harry talks about his relationship with Jeff and that Jeff was involved in a local gang, but claims he was always unaware that Jeff was involved in a Cargo heist. It's pointed out, that it is a coincidence that Jeff would disappear the day of their parents murder and evening after the hijacking. Harry claims there my have been other reasons, seeing as Jeff had an alibi for both crimes. Harry informs the court, he didn't see his brother for sixteen years, until he showed up at his and Tina's wedding, six and a half years ago. Harry come across Jeff, as a changed person and that he eventually settled and married Sylvia and adopted Chris.
'He did at times try to take the law into his own hands,' the prosecution suggests.
'I don't know, what you mean,' Harry answers, shrugging.
'Obtaining government information for personal benefit,' the prosecution continues. 'On your son.'
'I'm unaware of this,' Harry lies.
'Oh come on Mr Wilson. Your brother would inform you on the goings on of his secret work, especially if it concerned somebody that you loved,' the prosecution suggests.
Harry admits he wanted answers on the whereabouts of Jack, but didn't know if the Government wanted his status to remain unknown or if the Cosmos kept him under wraps because of his psychic ability. Harry continues by explaining, Jeff's concerns in the terrorist attacks on September 11th and how he tried keep everything under control and how distraught he was in the aftermath. Harry then explains his relationship with his older sibling in recent years.
'I guess I can love and dislike Jeff at times,' Harry laughs. 'He can so unpredictable.'
'So, unpredictable, he participates in terrorism?' the prosecutor replies.
'Never,' Harry disagrees. 'If you look at his six year history in the work force, he's done more good than bad. To be honest, I think you'll find not a bad word in that file, up until this recent case.'
'Would you say, you've been closer now, than you were in your younger days, excluding his years in exile?'
'If I said yes, he's probably consider me being harsh,' Harry figures.
'Were you aware of Mr Wilson's and Mr Luka's plot to cause genocide?' the prosecutor.
'If I was, I would have stopped him in his tracks immediately and get him help,' Harry explains.
'He must have showed signs of a personality change,' the prosecutors pushes.
'In a sense yes, but I put this down to depression. Recent years haven't been too kind to the family, with, his first and second wives dying, the Cosmos issues and September 11th of last year. I mean I lost my first wife that day and I got depressed. That's why he put Abraham in charge, because of the stress, but I guess...look, Jeff is mentally ill, he's not a terrorist.'
'Well, we'll soon conclude that next step, when your brother takes to the stand.' the prosecutor
informs Harry. 'Just one more question Mr Wilson...Do you believe your brother was involved in your parents murder, back in July 1979?'
'What I believe, is justice hasn't been served,' Harry insists. 'But, for you to suggest my brother killing the people that loved him unconditionally, is a disgrace.'
Jeff is escorted to the stand and it feels like the longest journey of his life. Harry first looks to Chris, who is sat with Emma and doesn't make eye contact. He then looks to Harry, who partially glances. They don't want to believe he could be behind a terrorist plot. Jeff takes to the stand, as he trail continues to be watched worldwide. The prosecutor asks Jeff on his criminal past, his relationship with his family and his law enforcement career.
'Yes, Hank Willis and myself were behind the Cargo heist and no I didn't kill my parents,' Jeff confesses, as Harry sits shocked. 'We may have had our conflicts, but I always loved my parents and my brother.'
'How did you spend your sixteen years out of your brothers life?' the prosecutor asks.
'What exactly does your questions have to do, with the actual case? Jeff queries.
'A lot, considering your criminal history and the people you associated with, past or present,' the prosecutor states. 'All got too much didn't it Mr Wilson. You may see your self as a partial hero, for telling Mr Carlisle the combination which disarmed that Bomb, but it was a plot to murder innocent millions. And I suspect you were behind the murders of Hassam Luka and Lucifer Buff, as well as the editor of the 'New York Post. A murder you confessed to.'
'I admit to the editors murder, but not the other two,' Jeff argues.
'How about Vincent Simpson, the executive of the exposed society, the Cosmos? Where did you hide him to?'
'What?' Jeff gasps.
'Oh of course, you suffered black outs. A split personality took you over,' the prosecutor sarcastically answers. 'It's not looking good for you is it. Did you kill him, out of rage, because he kidnapped your nephew. The state of Texas has asked the state of New York, if you will stand trial down there. They consider you a danger to national security and are not too lenient on criminals, who kidnap a source who was about to give information on a multi billion dollar fraudster, on the run.' the prosecutor turns to the judge. 'Your honour, Texas considers a trial down in Texas and will take into account of his crimes in the state of New York and will determine whether or not they are eligible to allow Jeff Wilson to be executed after a trial in the State of Texas.'
Jeff doesn't react. Chris and Harry are horrified by the prosecutors suggestion. Jeff looks to Otto. Can Otto help him?
Members of the jury consider their verdict. Guilty or not Guilty?
Jeff is found guilty on charges of first degree murder, attempted genocide, aiding and abetting a national terrorist and for stealing top secret information. Jeff receives a life sentence without parole, yet will face a new trial in the state of Texas and if found guilty, it will be decided in an agreement between two states, whether or not, Jeff should spend the rest of his life in jail or receive capital punishment. Cheers and applause are heard at the sentencing. Emma advises Otto to consider his position as senator.
Rebecca is upset that Emma is avoiding her.
While Harry sleeps, Bethany takes her private laptop and router to a secure location and begins a conversation on her laptop with her runaway sister. The leader of the Cosmos.
'Jeff has got life without parole,' Bethany informs. ' He could get the death penalty. Now I suggest you keep a low profile.'
'You haven't thanked me for finding your son Bethany,' the leader adds. 'He's quite a killer.'
'Killer?' Bethany questions.
'In time Bethany, you would have cracked. We're more alike than you think. How else do you think you got that money back from that terrorist and mafia guy?'
'You used my vulnerable boy in murder?' Bethany cries.
'To protect you. Like I had Jeff hypnotized to keep him from investigating you, to be looked on as public enemy number one. I had to do something. Just like I had to cover your tracks after you broke into the 'New York Skyline Hotel,' to confront Lacy Norton over Harry's son.'
'Oh my God, you had him poison a dying woman?'
'You want children of your own sis. Interferences from an ex and a new chip off the old block, would have sent you over the edge with jealousy.'
'Excuse me, but if you know so much already, I'm already a binding stepmother, to Harry's daughter.'
'You two are more alike than you realize. She too has a secret. I've looked into her background, like I look into everybody that could threaten our exposure.'
'Now, you listen to. I want you to keep out of my life for the foreseeable future. I'm in love with Harry. And I want you to stay away from my son. He is mentally ill and I'm trying to keep his profile low enough to not expose you. But, you've made it ten times worse.'
' That's the thanks I get for bringing unconditional love back together, even if he's a rapists son. It's your funeral sis. But, how long can you keep your sons discovery a secret, if not his deadly side?
'Don't blackmail me, because I will tell the truth if push comes to shove, not just about you, but Jack as well.'
'Not likely. If that happens, you lose your son all together and if I'm correct, you will be betraying not just me or Harry, but him too. In time, the darkness will out in you Bethany and you will come to me. In case you didn't know, I understand you went overboard in the Science class back in 1978.
'What if you get caught? Will you expose me?'
'Not if you tread carefully. Which I suggest you do in future. I do love you. I did it all for you. And you've always know that, since you know when. Speak to you soon.'
'Wait a second, what's this about Rebecca?'
The Cosmos leader hangs up.
Jeff attempts to escape from custody and he falls down a flight of stairs and knocks himself unconscious. He suddenly has visions of memories which are restored. Jeff confronting Bethany in 'Good Cop/Bad Cop and 'The Moon And The Stars,' phrase.
END OF EPISODE ONE HUNDRED AND TEN