Through Pain We Survive

Chapter 96

***TRIGGER WARNING- Violence and drugging mentions***

"Now that we have heard from all witnesses, jury, soon it will be time to deliberate. First, the prosecution and defense will each give their closing statements, then you will be escorted to the deliberation room, where you will come back with either a guilty or not guilty verdict on each of the accused counts. Do you understand?" Judge Johnston explained

The foreperson looked to the rest of the jury. They nodded. "We do, your honor," the foreperson spoke up for the rest of the jury.

"Very well. Prosecution, you may proceed with your closing statements."

"Thank you, your honor." Dove looked to the jury. "Good afternoon, Ladies and gentleman of the jury. Again, I am Dove Turner, the prosecuting attorney for Mr. Pinkerton and Ms. Applegate. I have good news and bad news. Good news is your service here as juror is almost complete. Bad news is the most difficult part of your service is about to begin- and that is your deliberations."

Dove paused to group her thoughts together.

"In my opening statements, I mentioned I would call several witnesses to testify as to the defendant's guilt. Each witness testified as I explained and we have established the following facts beyond a reasonable doubt- 1) that on April 27th, 2023, Mr. Grant intentionally shot Ms. Applegate, then went to Mr. Pinkerton's house and intentionally shot him. 2) he then went to the home of Ms. LeRouge where Ms. Lopez was staying for her safety, and broke his restraining order, and that 3) Ms. Lopez obtained the weapon and had no intention of shooting Mr. Grant, but to keep herself and Ms. LeRouge safe."

Dove looked to Mira Lynne, then Damien.

"We heard during Mrs. Pinkerton's testimony about how he drugged her, multiple times, tried proposing to her- a happily married woman- and when those plans didn't work, he threatened them. He wanted Mrs. Pinkerton to be with him, and would not let anyone or anything stand in his way! He shot an innocent woman's husband to try to be with that woman!"

Dove took a deep breath, steadying herself. She looked back to the jury. "Ms. LeRouge testified to him coming to Ms. Lopez's residence and attacking Ms. Lopez, strangling her to the point of almost losing consciousness. He beat Ms. Lopez on numerous times, drugged her, left her out in the cold, and still had no remorse for what he had done. He blamed Ms. Lopez for what he did to her. He blamed Ms. Applegate for what he did to her. He has taken no responsibility for any of the damage he has caused!" Dove glared over to Damien again. "If that is not a dangerous man, I don't know what is." Dove sighed. "In conclusion, we would ask that you find the defendant guilty as charged. Thank you all."

Azazel stood and approached the jury. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your service today. I am Azazel Hoffman, and I am the defense attorney for Mr. Grant's case. In this case that the prosecutor had presented to you today, there is insufficient proof to convict. We would ask for a verdict of not guilty. Mr. Grant spoke out under duress, and therefore a false testimony was stated the day he was arrested."

Azazel knew there was no hope, but she had to press on for her job.

"Mr. Grant testified he was concerned for Ms. Lopez's safety. Mr. Grant only wanted to be sure the woman he loved was safe, no matter the costs. As for him allegedly beating anyone, as he testified, he grew up in a violent home and thought that is how it was supposed to be- how everyone lived. He never had a reason to think differently." Azazel hoped this spin would put doubt in their minds. "Mr. Grant only did what he was taught throughout his childhood. He only punished how he was punished. He thought it was the only way."

Azazel looked at the jurors. They seemed to be a little conflicted. Good, hopefully they'll be able to accept this twist, and reasonable doubt will enter their minds.

"Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Grant deserves to be a free man. He does not have to prove he is innocent, rather it is the burden of the prosecuting attorney to prove the defendant is guilty. They have not met that burden. It is the prosecutor who has all the resources to in investigate this case. It is not the job of the defendant to go and investigate this matter. We would ask you to render the only verdict that is fair, not guilty. Thank you." Azazel sat down with Damien.

Judge Johnston looked to the jury. "Ladies and gentleman, it is now time for you to rise and retreat to the deliberation room off to your right. Once there, you will all vote. If the vote is not unanimous, you must stay in deliberations until it is. You may have any evidence you need to view or listen to again. Once you have reached your verdict, the foreperson will alert the bailiff, and you will return. The foreperson will read the verdict, and I will then call this case. Jury, please rise." She looked to the bailiff. "Bailiff, please escort the jury to the deliberation room."

The jury filed out. Judge Johnston looked to the courtroom. "While they are deliberating, we will take a ten minute recess."

Walking out into the hallway, Gwen sighed. She got a drink and sat down on a bench. Had they said and done enough? Would the jury be able to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? She hoped so.

"Hey," Becca walked up to Gwen, Cat following close by.

"Hey." Gwen tried smiling, but wasn't successful.

"Have faith. I know we won. Even if he's only found guilty on one charge, that is still a victory. However the jury would have to be blind to not convict him for all the counts." Becca grabbed and squeezed Gwen's hand.

"Thanks. I'm getting in my head too much. I just fear it won't be enough."

"It will," Cat spoke up. "With all we hit them with, and with Sara's testimony throwing him under the bus, we've got this in the bag."

Gwen smiled a real smile this time. "Thanks, you guys."

Nate poked his head out of the courtroom. "We're going to be starting up again soon."

"Okay, we'll be right there," Becca smiled to him.

Nate went back in. Becca turned back to Gwen and Cat. "Group hug?"

Gwen and Cat chuckled and they all leaned in. They walked back to the courtroom.

Gwen sat back down behind AJ. He turned around to her and put his hand on hers. "You okay?"

She smiled to him. "Yeah, I'm okay now. Becca and Cat were talking to me."

He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed gently. "Everything will work out how it should."

"I know." She sighed.

The jury filed back in.

"That was quick," Cat said.

"Let's just hope for it to be in our favor," Mira Lynne said.

Judge Johnston approached her bench.

"Order in the court. We are back in session. Ladies and gentleman of the jury, have you reached a verdict?"

The foreperson stood up. "We have, your honor."

Gwen's heart started beating quicker. It all comes down to this.