Chapter 21 Chapter 21

In his mind, he replayed those scenes over and over, endlessly. ※※※ I watched the news this morning, Dr. Paterson.I can't describe to you how sorry I am. Yes.It was a huge hit.I need your help, David. certainly.Just something I can do. I want you to represent Ashley. I can't do this.I am not a criminal defense attorney.However, I can recommend a terrific attorney, Jess Quiller. That's good.Thank you David... ※※※ You're a young man who can't wait, aren't you?Our meeting is not until five o'clock.Well, I have good news for you.We want you as a partner. ※※※

You asked to see me? Yes, your honor.They're talking about the trial on the Internet, and they've found the accused guilty.This would seriously damage the defense.Accordingly, I file a motion for mistrial. I think those are excellent grounds for a mistrial, Mr. Singer.I will allow it... ※※※ That bitter-tasting "if only" game... ※※※ The next morning, the court resumed. "Is the prosecution ready to make its closing statement?" Bryant stood up.He walked up to the jury and looked at the jurors one by one. "Here, you are in a position to make history. If you believe that the defendant really is a lot of people who don't ask, and that she is not responsible for what she did, for the terrible crime she committed, then you Let her get away with it, then you're declaring that anyone who kills can get away with it, all he has to do is claim that he didn't do it, that some mysterious alter ego did it. They can rob, rape and murder, then they're guilty Is it? No. 'I didn't do it. Mine did it.' Kane or Joe or Susie or whatever they want to call themselves. Still, I think you're too smart to do this Fantasy. Fact is in those photos you have seen. Those people were not murdered by some alter ego. They were all deliberately, premeditated, Brutally killed. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defense has tried before what this court is trying to do. In Mann v. Taylor, its verdict was: the very fact of discovery of multiple personality disorder , does not require an acquittal. In 'United States of America v. Willey', a nurse who murdered a baby pleaded that she had multiple personality disorder. The court found her guilty.

"You know, I almost feel sorry for the accused. All those characters that inhabited that poor girl. I'm sure none of us want a bunch of crazy strangers running around inside us, do we? Going around murdering and castrated males, I would be horrified." He turned to look at Ashley. "The defendant doesn't seem intimidated, does she? Not so intimidated that she can't put on a nice dress, do her hair, and put on makeup. She doesn't seem intimidated at all. She thought You will believe her story and let her go. No one can prove that this multiple personality disorder is real. So we will have to make our own judgments.

"The defense claims these characters come out and dominate people. Let's see - there's Toni: she was born in England; there's Aliette: she was born in Italy. They're all the same person. They're just different Time was born in a different country. Does this confuse you guys? I get it, it confuses me. I offered the defendant a chance to come and show us her other side, but she didn't lead me I wonder, why? Could it be because they don't exist? Does California law recognize multiple personality disorder as a mental condition? No. Colorado law? No. Mississippi? No. Federal law No. In fact, no state has a law that recognizes multiple personality disorder as a legal defense. So why? Because it's not a defense. Ladies and gentlemen, it's a made-up to get away with punishment Excuse……

"What the defense would have you believe is that there were two people inside the defendant, and therefore no one was responsible for her crimes. Yet, there is only one defendant sitting in this courtroom—Ashley Paterson. We It has been established beyond any doubt that she is a killer. However, she claims that she did not commit the crime. It was done by someone else, that person—her other us borrowed her body to kill innocent people. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had an alter ego? - an alter ego that could do whatever we secretly want to do but society doesn't allow. Or, maybe not so wonderful. Would you rather live in a world like that A world where people can go around killing people and say, 'you can't touch me, my alter ego did it' or 'you can't punish my alter ego because my alter ego is me'.

"However, this trial is not about some mysterious figure who does not exist. Defendant Ashley Paterson is on trial for three vicious, heartless homicides, and the prosecution is seeking the death penalty. Thank you Everyone." Mitch Bly can return to his seat. "Has the defense prepared a closing statement?" David stood up.He went to the jury box, looked the jurors straight in the face, and what he saw there was utterly disheartening. "I know this is a very difficult case for all of us. You've heard experts testify that they treat too much for multiple personality disorder; you've heard other experts testify that there is no such thing. Kind of thing. You are not doctors, so no one expects you to make judgments based on medical knowledge. I would like to apologize to all of you if my behavior seemed a little rough yesterday. Shout out to Ashley Paterson Yelling just because I wanted to force her alter ego out. I've talked to those alter egos. I know they exist. There's really an Elliott and a Toni, and they can control Ashley whenever they want , just when to control her. She has no knowledge of any of the murders she committed.

"At the very beginning of this trial, I told you that in order for someone to be convicted of first-degree murder, there must be physical evidence and a motive. There was no motive in this case, ladies and gentlemen. Not a single one. And The law requires that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. I am sure you will agree that in this case there is a legitimate doubt. "As far as the evidence is concerned, the defense doesn't question it. There are Ashley Paterson's fingerprints and DNA traces at every crime scene. But the very fact that they are there should give us pause. Ashley Paterson was a bright young woman. If she committed murder and didn't want to be caught, would she be stupid enough to leave her fingerprints on every crime scene? The answer is: no."

David went on talking for another thirty minutes.Finally, he looked at their faces, and his doubts were not reassured.He sat down. Judge Williams turned to the jury. "Now, I want to give you a final explanation on the applicable law in this case. I want you to listen carefully." In the next twenty minutes, she listed them one by one, detailing what is allowed and allowed by the law. "If you have any questions, or would like any part of the testimony to be read to you again, the court reporter will do so. The jury is allowed to go out for deliberations. The court is adjourned until they return with their verdict."

David watched the jurors file out of their seats and into the jury room.The longer the jurors take, the better our chances, David thought. Forty-five minutes later, the jurors returned. ※※※ Javie and Ashley watched the jurors file in and took their seats in the jury box.Ashley's face was as cold as ice.David found himself sweating.Judge Williams turned to the foreman of the jury. "Have the jurors reached a unanimous verdict?" "We have reached it, Your Honor." "Give it to the bailiff, please." The bailiff handed the paper to the judge.Judge Williams unfolded it.The courtroom was silent.

The bailiff handed the paper back to the foreman of the jury. "Would you please read the verdict?" He read in a slow, rhythmic tone: "In 'California v. Ashley Paterson,' we, the jury, Tetson was convicted of the murder of Dennis Tibble, a violation of Section 187 of the Penal Code." Everyone in the court gasped.Ashley closed her eyes tightly. "In 'California v. Ashley Paterson,' we, the jury, in the proceeding of the above case, found that defendant Ashley Paterson violated Section 187 of the Penal Code , convicted of the murder of Adjutant of the Peace Sam Black."

"In 'California v. Ashley Paterson,' we, the jury, in the proceeding of the above case, found that defendant Ashley Paterson violated Section 187 of the Penal Code , convicted of the murder of Richard Melton. We, the jury, in all verdicts, go further to the first degree for murder." David found it hard to even breathe.He turned to Ashley, but he had nothing to say.He leaned over and put his arms around her. "I want every member of the jury to be clear," Judge Williams said. One by one, each juror rose to his feet. "Is the verdict you read just now your verdict?" After everyone had testified, Judge Williams said: "The verdict will be recorded and registered." She continued: "I would like to thank the jury for their time and service in this case. You may go. Questions of sanity will be discussed in court tomorrow." David sat there numbly, watching Ashley be taken away. Judge Williams stood up, walked straight to his office without even looking at David.Her attitude told David more clearly than words what her verdict would be tomorrow.Ashley will be sentenced to death. ※※※ Sandra is calling from San Francisco. "Are you all right, David?" He tried to sound cheerful. "Yes, I'm fine. How are you feeling?" "I'm fine. I've been watching the news on TV. The judge isn't being fair to you. She can't get you disbarred. You're just trying to help your client." He was speechless. "I'm so sorry, David. I wish I was with you. I could drive..." "No," said David, "we can't take any risks. Have you seen the doctor today?" "seen it already." "What did he say?" "It's fast now. In a few days." Happy birthday, Jeffrey. ※※※ Jess Queller called. "I screwed it up," David said. "You really screwed up. You didn't get the judge right. What did you ever do to get her to be so hard on you?" "She wants me to bargain on the complaint. She doesn't want the case to go to trial. Maybe I should listen to her," David said. ※※※ All TV channels are full of news about his disgraceful behavior.He watched one of the network's legal experts talk about it. "I've never heard of a defense attorney yelling at his own client before. I must tell everyone, the whole court was dumbfounded. It was the most outrageous..." David turned off the TV.Where did all this go wrong?Life deserves a happy ending.Because I screwed up everything, Ashley is going to die, I'm going to be disbarred, the baby is going to be born any minute and I don't even have a job. In the middle of the night, he sat in his hotel room, staring into the dark depths.This was the lowest point of his life.It was the final courtroom scene that played over and over in his mind. "You cannot hypnotize her in my court. The answer is: no." If she'd let me hypnotize her on the witness stand, I know she'd convince the jury.too late.It's all over now. But in his head, a small haunting voice said: Who said it was over?I haven't heard the fat woman pronounce the sentence yet. There is nothing more I can do. Your client is innocent.Are you ready to let her die? Don't bother me. Judge Williams' words continued to echo in his head. "You can't hypnotize her in my court." Those words kept repeating: "In my court..." ※※※ At five o'clock in the morning, David excitedly made two emergency calls.When he finished the call, the sun was just beginning to leap over the horizon.It's an omen, David thought.We will win. ※※※ After a while, David rushed to an antique shop. The clerk approached him. "What do you want, sir?" He recognized David. "Mr Singer." "I'm looking for a foldable Chinese screen. Do you have anything like this?" "Yes, we have. We don't have any real antique screens, but..." "Let's see what you have." "Of course." He led David to a venue where several Chinese-style foldable screens were placed.The clerk points to the first one. "Look, this..." "That's good," David said. "Okay, sir. Where should I send it?" "I'll take it myself." ※※※ David's next stop was a hardware store, where he bought a Swiss Army knife.Fifteen minutes later, he carried the screen into the court hall.He told the guard at the table, "I have made arrangements to interview Ashley Paterson. I have been granted access to Judge Goldberg's office. He is not here today." The guard said: "Yes, sir. Everything is arranged. I'll have the defendant brought up. Dr. Salem and another are waiting there." "Thank you." The guard watched David carry the screen into the elevator.This man is crazy, he thought. ※※※ Judge Goldberg's office is a comfortable-looking room with a desk facing the window, a swivel chair, and a couch and chairs near one wall.Dr. Salem and another man were standing in the room when David entered. "Sorry I'm late," David said. Dr. Salem said, "This is Hugh Iverson. He's your specialist." The two shook hands. "Let's set it up quickly," David said. "Ashley is already on her way here." He turned to Hugh Iverson and pointed to a corner of the room. "How are you doing there?" "it is good." He watched Iverson go to work.A few minutes later, Ashley came in with a guard. "I have to stay in the room," said the guard. David nodded. "Okay." He turned to Ashley. "please sit down." He watched her sit down. "First, let me tell you how sorry I am that things have come to this." She nodded, almost in a daze. "But it's not over yet. We have one more chance." She looked at him in disbelief. "Ashley, I want Dr. Salem to hypnotize you again." "No. What's the point..." "Even if it's for me. Will you?" She shrugged. David nodded to Dr. Salem. Dr. Salem said to Ashley: "We've done this before, so you know, all you have to do is close your eyes and relax. Just relax. Feel all the muscles in your body release all the tension, All you want to do is sleep. You're getting sleepy..." Ten minutes later, Dr. Salem looked at David and said, "She's completely hypnotized." David moved closer to Ashley, his heart pounding. "I want to talk to Toni." no response. David raised his voice. "Toni. I want you to come out. Do you hear me? Elliott...I want you two to talk to me." silence. Now David was yelling. "What's wrong with you? Are you freaking out? That's what happens in court, isn't it? Did you hear what the jury said? Ashley's guilty. You're scared to come out. You're a coward, Toni !" They looked at Ashley.no response.David looked hopelessly at Dr. Salem.It doesn't work. ※※※ "The court is now in session. Your Honour, Tessa Williams, presides." Ashley sat next to David in the dock.David had a large bandage on his hand. David stood up. "May I come before you, Your Honor?" "you can." David walked up to the judge.Blaine could follow him. "I want to present new evidence in this case," David said. "Not at all," Blaine objected. Judge Williams turned to him and said, "Let me make that decision, Mr. Brannan." She turned to David. "The trial is over. Your client has been convicted and..." "It's a complaint of insanity," David said. "What I'm asking for is your ten minutes." Judge Williams said angrily: "Time doesn't seem to matter to you, does it, Mr. Singer? You've wasted a lot of everyone's time." She made her decision anyway. "Very well. I hope this will be the last claim you may make in court from now on. The court adjourns for ten minutes." David and Blaine followed the judge to her office. She turned to David. "I'll give you the ten minutes you asked for. What's there, lawyer?" "I want to show you a video, Your Honor." "I don't see how this has anything to do with this case," said Bryanne. . . "I don't see that either," Judge Williams said to Bryant. She turned to David. "You have nine minutes left." David went to the door leading to the passage and opened it. "Come in." Hugh Iverson came in, carrying a 16mm projector and a movable screen. "Where should I put it?" David pointed to a corner of the room. "There." They watched as the man set up the equipment and plugged in the projector. "Can I pull down the blinds?" All Judge Williams could do was suppress his anger. "Yes, go ahead, Mr. Singer." She looked at her watch. "You have seven minutes left." The projector is turned on.Judge Goldberg's office flashed on the screen.David and Dr. Salem are watching Ashley, who is sitting in a chair. On screen, Dr. Salem says, "She's completely under hypnosis." David walked up to Ashley. "I want to talk to Toni... Toni, I want you to come out. Did you hear me? Elliott...I want you two to talk to me." silence. Judge Williams sat watching the video, stern-faced. Now David was yelling. "What's wrong with you? Are you freaking out? That's what happens in court, isn't it? Did you hear what the jury said? Ashley's guilty. You're scared to come out. You're a coward, Toni !" Judge Williams stood up. "I've heard enough! I've seen this disgusting show before. Your time is running out, Mr. Singer." "Wait," said David, "you haven't..." "It's over!" Judge Williams told him, and began to walk towards the door. Suddenly, a burst of singing began to resound in the room. "A penny a ball of thread, A penny a needle. That's the way the monkey walks, Puchi!The weasel ran away. " A perplexed Judge Williams turned back.She looked at the picture on the screen. Ashley's face had completely changed.This is Toni. Toni said angrily, "Frightened to come out in court? Do you really think I'll come out just because you ordered me? What do you take me for, a trained pony?" Judge Williams walked slowly back into the room, staring at the video. "I heard all those idiots make a fool out of there." She imitated one of their voices, "'I don't think multiple personality disorder exists.' What an idiot. I've never seen anything like this…" As they watched, Ashley's face changed again.She seemed to be relaxing in the chair, and her face took on a shy look.Alette said in her Italian accent, "Mr. Singer, I know you tried your best. I wanted to show up in court and help you, but Toni won't let me." Judge Williams watched, her face blank. The face and voice changed again. "You're so fucking right, I won't let you!" Toni said. David said, "Toni, if the judge sentenced Ashley to death, what do you think would happen to you?" "She's not going to sentence her to death. Ashley doesn't even know one of the men. Remember?" David said, "But Aliette knew them all. You did the murders, Aliette. You had sex with the men and you stabbed them and castrated them..." Toni said, "You're a fucking idiot! You don't know anything, do you? Aliette would never have had the guts to do that. I did it. Fuck them. All they want to do is fuck .” She gasped. "But I made them all pay for it, didn't I? And no one can prove I did it. Let Miss Prudence take the blame. We're all going to a nice cozy mental institution, and then..." In the background, behind a Chinese screen in the corner, there is a loud click. Toni turned her head. "What is it?" "Nothing," David said quickly, "just..." Toni stands up and starts sprinting towards the camera until her face fills the entire screen.She pushes something, and the screen topples; part of a folding Chinese screen falls onto the frame.A small hole was cut in the center of the screen. "You've got a fucking Taiwan fuck camera in the back," Toni yelled.She turned to David. "You son of a bitch, what do you want? You fool me!" There is an envelope-opening blade on the table.Toni grabbed it and rushed to David, yelling, "I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill you!" David tried to grab her, but he was no match for her.The letter-opening blade scratched his hand. Toni raised her arms to attack again when the guard ran to her and tried to grab her.Toni knocked him to the ground with one punch.The door opened and a uniformed police officer ran in.When he saw what was happening, he lunged at Toni.She kicked him in the stomach and he fell to the ground.Two more officers ran in.Together the three officers managed to pin Toni back in a chair while she kept yelling at them. Blood gushed from David's hand."For God's sake, wake her up," he said to Dr. Salem. Dr. Salem said, "Ashley...Ashley...listen to me. Now you're coming out. Toni's gone. It's safe to come out now, Ashley. I'll count to three." As everyone watched, Ashley's body became quiet and relaxed. "Can you hear me?" "Yes." It was Ashley's voice, sounding far away. "I'll wake up on the count of three, one... two... three... how do you feel?" Her eyes opened. "I'm tired. Did I say anything?" The screens in Judge Williams' office went blank.David went to the wall and turned on the light. Bryan said: "Look! What a performance. If they give an Oscar for best..." Judge Williams turned to him. "Shut up." Blaine looked at her, startled.After a brief silence, Judge Williams turned to David. "lawyer." "What's up?" There is a pause. "I owe you an apology." ※※※ Judge Tessa Williams, sitting high on the bench, said: "The two lawyers have agreed that they will accept the view of the psychiatrist who has examined the accused – Dr Salem. The verdict is: Defendant is not guilty by reason of insanity. She will be placed in a mental health facility where she can receive treatment. The court is now closed." David stood up, exhausted.It's over, he thought, it's over.He and Sandra could start living their lives again. He looked at Judge Williams and said happily, "We're going to have a baby." ※※※ Dr. Salem said to David, "I want to make a suggestion. I'm not sure if I can do it, but if you can arrange it, I think it will help Ashley." "What's up?" "The Connecticut Psychiatric Hospital in the east is the hospital that treats the most multiple personality disorders in the country. A friend of mine, Dr. Otto Lewison, is in charge there. If you can arrange for the court to send Ashley to There, I think it will be very beneficial." "Thanks," David said, "I'll see what I can do." ※※※ Dr. Steven Paterson said to David: "I...I don't know how to thank you." David smiled. "You don't have to. It's an equal exchange. Remember?" "You did a great job. For a while, I worried..." "me too." "But justice prevails. My daughter will be healed." "I'm sure of that," said David. "Dr. Salem recommended a psychiatric hospital in Connecticut. Their doctor specializes in multiple personality disorder." Dr. Paterson was silent for a moment. "You know Ashley shouldn't be in a place like this. She's such a beautiful person." "I agree. I'll talk to Judge Williams and try to get permission to transfer." ※※※ Judge Williams said to David in her office: "What can I do for you, Mr Singer?" "I want to ask you to do me a favor." She smiled. "I wish I could help. What's the matter?" David explained to the judge what Dr. Salem had told him. "Well, that's an extraordinary request. We have some good psychiatric facilities right here in California." David said, "Okay. Thank you, Your Honor." He turned to leave, disappointed. "I didn't say no, Mr. Singer." David paused. "It's an extraordinary request, but it's also an extraordinary case." David waited. "I think I can make arrangements to have her transferred." "Thank you, Your Honor. I am very grateful." In the cell, Ashley thought: They sentenced me to death, a long death sentence in a madhouse full of madmen.It would be more merciful to kill me now.She thought of the endless hopeless years ahead of her and began to cry. The cell door opened and her father entered.He stood there for a while, looking at her, his face full of pain. "Honey..." he sat across from her, "you'll live!" he said. She shook her head: "I don't want to live anymore." "Don't talk like that. You have a disease, but it is cured. And it will be cured. When you are better, you will come to live with me, and I will take care of you. Whatever happens, we will To have each other forever. They can't separate us." Ashley sat there, not saying a word. "I know how you feel right now, but trust me, that's going to change. My girl is going to come home to me, healed." He stood up slowly, "Now I have to go back to San Francisco It's gone." He waited for Ashley to say something. She was silent. "David told me he thought you were going to be sent to the best psychiatric center in the world. I'll come and see you. Would you?" She nodded numbly: "Yes." "Well, honey." He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug. "I promise you the best care in the world. I want my little girl back." As Ashley watched her father go, she thought: Why can't I die now?Why don't they let me die? ※※※ An hour later, David came to see her. "Look, we did it!" he said.He looked at her beautifully: "Are you okay?" "I don't want to go to a madhouse. I want to die. I can't bear to live like this. Help me, David. Please help me." "Ashley, you will be helped. The past is over. You now have a future where the nightmare will end." He took her hand. "Look, you've trusted me so far. Keep trusting me." , you will go back to living a normal life." She sat there, silent. "Say 'I trust you, David'." She took a deep breath. "I... I trust you, David." He grinned. "Good girl. It's a new beginning for you." ※※※ The moment the verdict was announced, the media went wild.Overnight, David became a hero.He took an impossible case and won. He called Sandra. "Honey, I..." "I got it, honey. I got it, I just saw it on TV. It's so good! I'm so proud of you!" "I can't tell you how glad I am that this case is over. I'll be back tonight. I can't wait to see..." "David..." "What's up?" "David... oh..." "What? What's the matter, dear?" "...oh...our baby is coming..." "Wait for me!" David yelled. ※※※ Jeffrey Singer weighed eight pounds ten ounces and was the most beautiful baby David had ever seen. "He looks just like you, David," Sandra said. "He's just like that, isn't he?" David said, all smiles. "I'm so happy that everything turned out so well," Sandra said. "Sometimes, I'm not so confident," David sighed. "I never doubted you." David hugged her and said, "I'll be right back, honey. I have to clean things up in my office." ※※※ When David arrived at Kinkade, Turner, Ross & Ripley, he was greeted warmly. "Congratulations, David..." "Well done……" "You really let them see how powerful you are..." David walked into his office.Holly is gone.David started clearing his desk. "David..." David turned around.It was Joseph Kingard. Jin Kaide walked up to him and said, "What are you doing?" "I'm cleaning out my office. I'm fired." Jin Kaide smiled and said, "Fired? Of course not. No, no, no. There was some kind of misunderstanding." He was all smiles. "We are about to make you a partner, my son. In fact, I have arranged for you a press conference here at three o'clock this afternoon." David looked at him. "real?" Jin Kai nodded. "Absolutely." David said: "You'd better cancel it. I've decided to go back to criminal law. Jess Quiller has offered me to be a partner. At least, when you're dealing with that part of the law, you know who's real Criminal. So come on, Joey, you take your partnership and shove it where the sun doesn't shine." After speaking, David walked out of the office. ※※※ Jess Queller looked around the duplex penthouse and said, "That's nice. It should belong to both of you." "Thank you," Sandra said.She heard a sound from the nursery. "I'd better go and see Jeffrey." She hurried off to the next room. Jess Queller walked over to admire a handsome silver frame in which Jeffrey's first photograph had been placed. "This is so cute. Where did it come from?" "From Judge Williams." Jess said, "I'm so glad you're back, partner." "I'm glad to be back, Jess." "Right now, you probably want a little time to relax. Take a break..." "Yes. We're going to drive to Oregon with Jeffrey to visit Sandra's parents, and..." "By the way, a very interesting case came to the office this morning, David. This woman was accused of murdering her two children. I don't think she's innocent. Unfortunately, I'm going to Washington for another one. Case... I thought you'd go talk to her and see what you think..."