A Snowy Night
Part 27
By Kellie
Danny sat at his usual spot
on the front row of the courtroom with Abby and Rick. Since it was a closed
hearing, they were the only ones in the courtroom besides the DA. He watched
silently as the guard escorted Michelle to the defense table. He smiled at
Michelle as the guard unfastened the shackles on Michelle’s arms and legs. As
soon as the guard walked to the back of the courtroom, Danny got up and walked
over to Michelle and wrapped his arms around her as he murmured in her ear,
"This is all going to be over soon."
Ross turned towards them and spoke, "Danny, before we get started I wanted
to thank you for helping Blake and I out by watching the kids during her TV
interview last night."
Michelle looked up at Danny in shock, "You babysat the twins and a newborn!
That’s a sight I wish I could have seen."
"Blake said you did a great job with the boys, but Michelle will definitely
have to give you lessons on diaper changing before you have one of your
own," Ross remarked with a chuckle.
"Well, I tried to change that diaper, but it’s hard to get that thing on
a baby with those legs kicking around, especially with Kevin and Jason having a
tug of war at your feet."
Michelle laughed at the metal picture of Danny trying to referee the twins while
changing Clarissa.
"Ross, I was rather surprised when they brought me my clothes and told me
to get dressed for court this morning. What’s going on?" Michelle asked
as she looked from Danny to Ross.
"If everything goes as I’ve planned, you’ll be free this
afternoon," Ross stated confidently.
The bailiff entered the courtroom and announced the judge’s arrival.
"Michelle, it’ll all make sense in a few minutes. I don’t have time to
explain right now," Ross whispered as he looked towards the judge while
court was called to order.
The judge addressed Ross first, "Mr. Marler, it is my understanding that
you have requested this hearing to request that this court hear a new witness.
Could you please explain why you did not call this witness during the trial? The
reason had better be good because reopening testimony after a conviction is
highly unusual."
"Yes, your honor. The witness I have to call, Vanessa Reardon, has been in
a coma since a few hours after Mr. Warren’s death. She only came to in the
last 24 hours. Her testimony will prove that my client did not commit this
murder. Justice would not be served if you fail to hear her testimony."
"I see. What exactly is the nature of this testimony, Mr. Marler?" the
judge asked.
"My witness will testify that she was one of the people who shot Ben
Warren."
"Mr. Marler, I am going to allow this testimony. I am going to call a
one-hour recess to allow the DA time to prepare for this witness. Since this is
a closed hearing today, I will entertain motions to open the hearing to the
public for the testimony of your witness."
"Your honor, the defense request that this hearing be open to the public
when it reconvenes," Ross stated.
"The Prosecution has no objections, you honor," Ms. Wolfe added.
"Motion granted. This court is adjourned for one hour."
Michelle looked at Danny in shock. "Vanessa’s awake?" she whispered.
Danny nodded in response.
"Bill and Frank are on the way back here with her and Matt. With her
testimony and Ray’s testimony to back up Pilar, they won’t have any choice
but to overturn your conviction. This is all going to be over – TODAY!"
Danny said as he wrapped his arms around her.
The guard came up to take Michelle back to the courthouse holding cell.
"Let’s go."
Ross looked at the guard, "I need to confer with my client during this
recess. Please escort her to the defense team conference room. I will be there
in a moment."
The guard nodded as he put handcuffs on Michelle before escorting her from the
room. Rick and Abby started towards the conference room ahead of the guard.
Danny turned to follow the guard when Ross stopped him.
"Danny, we need to get your mother down here for the hearing without her
learning that Vanessa’s awake. Do you have any ideas?" Ross asked.
"I’ll call Ray and get him to call her and tell her that the sentencing
hearing has been moved up. She would want to be here to see how successful her
little plot to put Michelle behind bars has been. I’ll make sure that she has
no idea what’s really going on until she’s here."
"Meet me in the conference room when your done with the call," Ross
replied.