Women that say No ll

Chapter 5

"Nearly 5 Years ago, to the date. Madison, my client, was betrayed by the one man she trusted. Betrayed and taken advantage of by the one man who in her eyes was her hero and in many ways protector. Ladies and gentlemen let me define to you all what Rape is, if you will.... take a moment and close your eyes to fully imagine this picture. The legal definition for rape is unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against a person's will or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception." Fords opening argument seeped threw the courtroom like a silent wave as the jurors gave him their undivided attention, following the directions he had given.

Sitting in this first row felt like Deja vu all over again. But the difference this time around was that Rick and Angela were sitting on the opposing side of the courtroom. Angela hadn't made eye contact with me once since we entered the court room this morning but her body language spoke volumes.

My mind kept drifting away wondering just where the kids were and who had them as I occasionally glimpsed over at her daydreaming.

Ford now stood in the center of the floor, calmly painting the picture.

"Now with that definition Madison Hilliard was manipulated, given drinks while underage, in which contained an unknown drug that left her inebriated and unconscious. Allow me to paint the picture even more if you will. She was provided this drink by the defendant here, Rick. Who at the time was her lawyer who was supposed to be seeking justice for her.... and that, he did eventually do, but he also drugged and raped her on this very night. After digesting the drink Madison surrendered to the bath where she doesn't remember anything at all, prior to waking up the next morning in nothing more than a t shirt and later on discovering she was pregnant." By this point everyone was on the edge of their seats listening closely to each word Ford uttered echoing through the 4 walls of the court room. "And to you ladies and gentlemen I have to ask, is this deserving of someone who was at the weakest point in her life, betrayed over and over by the men she trusted? I know you have to ask yourselves and I don't blame you if you do....how could she have been raped twice? Why would a man of Ricks statue Rape her? But I have to ask you to also ask yourself this.... why would he not? What would be the perfect victim? Who would the world believe was raped twice?"

Ford took a moment exhaling as he crossed his right arm propping the left on top, leaving his left hand to cuff his chin in deep thought.

"Why would you do it Rick? Why would you betray such an innocent young girl who had been slaughtered in the public's eye before you came to her rescue. Pretending to be The perfect Robin Hood, taking from the less fortunate only in this instance to seek pleasure for yourself. As the jury I ask you through-out this trial to keep those questions in mind and don't allow them to fade in the back, because once you have the answers to those questions you'll be able to convict him and justice will be served for Madison and the daughter she's raising Allure, now I rest."

The clicks of his male shoes confidently being directed to his chair, left the open floor to The defense attorney.

"So now that we've defined the definition of rape and pointed the finger and our lovely attorney Ford has given you his perspective of the defendant and victim. I have to slightly change the lense in which we view the alleged evidence and case, by having us define the term Victim Syndrome which can describe a personality trait of persons who believe they are constantly the victims of the harmful actions of others, even when made aware of evidence to the contrary. Or better yet." She grinned displaying a lack of empathy waving her index finger in mid air. "How about we define martyr complex" in which describes a person who actually desires the feelings of repeatedly being the victim. They sometimes seek out, even encourage, their own victimization in order to either satisfy a psychological need or as an excuse to avoid personal responsibility. Persons diagnosed with a martyr complex often knowingly place themselves in situations or relationships most likely to result in their suffering."