THE DAY ARRIVES.......by Coralynn

If the weather is any indicator, the grey skies and strong wind do not auger well for trial of Rosamond Gwinett, accused of murdering Tori Sheffield.
People who usually sleep half the morning away are up, getting dressed to attend the first day of the trial.
Daisy Moonbeam Freedom, who prides herself on her nocturnal tendency, says it pays to keep cat hours, is going through her closet looking for the most conspicuous outfit she owns. "Have to be noticable," she says aloud, "want people to know I'm a famous psychic......oh good, this long dress is perfect!" She pulls out a polyester dress with bright daisies and black eyed susans shrieking from the material.
"My name is Daisy, and after everyone sees me in this dress they won't soon forget it!" she congratulates herself for her good idea. Still limping from her fall from a ladder a few weeks back, she lays the dress on the bed and goes digging in her closet for matching shoes.

WandaSue sits watching the local morning news, and rubs her hands together in glee as they announce, yet again, that the murder trial of Rose Gwinett begins today at 10am. "This I hafta see! Even if I have to sit in the peanut gallery, I want to see Rosebud get hers! Her beauty, her money, her 'conncections,' none of them will keep her from getting her just deserts! Ohhhh yeah, how sweet it is!"

Penelope Patterson applies her makeup perfectly. "I'll show them who the real beauty, the real talent is around here. Rose may have beaten me out for the part on Planet Turns, but with her in jail for 20 to life, her victory will be meaningless."
Sally Jennings comes out of her room yawning, "That trial start today, Penny?"
"It certainly does and I'm going to be there with bells on. Why aren't you getting ready to go, Sally?"
Sally ties the belt on her robe a bit tighter and flops down on the bed, "I don't have the stomach for it, Penny. I've seen too many women railroaded into looking guilty, I've seen too much abuse, too much male dominance...."
"This has nothing to do with male dominance or male anything," Penelope says sharply, "Just because she's a woman doesn't make her innocent. I suppose you'd prefer we go out on the street and drag some man inside, just at random, and accuse him because he's a man?"
Sally shrugs, then grins, "Sounds good to me!" and goes into the bathroom to shower.

Glenda "Buffy" Lewis views herself in the full-length mirror and adjusts the jacket of her silk suit.
"You coming or not?" her husband, Mark, barks at her from the other room, "I've gotta get there early!"
"You go on ahead," she tells him, "I'll drive separately. I still have to get this hair under control."
"Suit yourself!" he yells as he leaves the house.
Glenda knows full well that Mark is railroading this murder trial, rushing to get Rose Gwinett convicted. He's done it many times before, but never quite as speedily as this trial. Wants to be Governor. Hmmmmm, how would I look at first lady of the State? she laughs to herself, if Rose Gwinett has to secure his election, so be it! She hikes her very large handbag up on her shoulder, walks out the door, locks it, and is greeted by a grey, windy day. Shuddering, she hops into her car for the ten minute ride to the courthouse.

Biff Murdock laughs aloud, "So I've been called to testify regarding Rose Gwinett's character! What a joke! And it's the prosecution that wants my testimony. Well, well, little Miss Rose, won't you be sorry that your cruel treatment and refusal to work with me cost me my job.....and now I get the revenge I've been waiting for......"

Richard Anderson always needed extra money. Two kids in college and now his wife wants breast implants. No way could I afford that, he thinks, but now that I'm on this Jury, it looks like the anonymous, wink wink, benefactor is going to solve my financial difficulties for a long time to come. It's a win-win situation, I mean after all the woman has to be guilty. Doesn't she?


DEW DROP INN REMINISCING.......by Terri

William was putting on his tie and getting his thumbs tangled up in it. "Fie on this!" Celeste came over and deftly tied it. "There!"
William fretted, "I would have thought the police would have found what they needed to clear Rose."
Celeste put her suit jacket on. "I have no idea what goes on in the heads of those...those....I don't know WHAT they are!"
Marilyn came downstairs holding Julie. "I'm staying away. Rose and John do not need a media circus with headlines screaming at them, 'Marilyn clone is intimate friend of alleged Sheffield killer.' I voluteered to stay with the children."
Eleanor came into the room. "If I had half a chance, I'd skewer that Mark Lewis to the wall. Did you hear he has a woman as the prosecuting attorney?"
William raised his eyebrows. "A woman? Rose won't have a chance. You women! You kill your own over a handbag at Macy's bargain basement sales! Bah!"
Rosamond and John came downstairs. Rose looked exceptionally pale. She had on a simple black dress with a heart-shaped gold locket. Her earrings were tiny gold hoops. She had her hair in a knot at the base of her neck. But she wore high high heels. Her one indulgence. John wore a navy suit with a tie in a subdued print.
William frowned. "You just don't look like our Rose. You look....not plain but you--well, something is just missing."
Rose tried to manage a smile. "Patrick told me how to dress. Demurely, he called it.I asked if I should wear ruffles and lace but he said 'don't be funny'. I know. This doesn't feel like me. But then being accused of murder doesnt' feel like me either."
William asked, "How are you getting to the courthouse? Are you riding with us? Or is John driving?"
John shook his head. "Patrick is picking us up. He expects a media circus and he wants to be the one to field questions. Get the public on our side."
Celeste said, "I can't believe they supoenaed everyone in this house. I know you can't testify, John. Who outside of this house got one?"
John said, "I know Moose did, on account of his working with Rose. Alan Carson. That will be tough. He's been acting really strange around me. I saw him at Home Depot last week and he avoided me. I didn't know to what extent he and Tori were involved. I thought it was just casual dating. We joined them for dinner one evening when we ran into them at that Sushi Bar. Hotspur got one. I really dread it when HE gets on the stand. Patrick tried to block that one but unsuccessfully. Someone told the prosecuter that Rosamond and Hotspur at one time had a 'close relationship' while she was married to me."
Patrick pulled up and came into the house. "OK. boys and girls! This is it! Rose, you look very understated. And even though I told you to dress that way...I hate it! You don't look like you."
Rose sat down quickly. John asked her, "Are you alright?"
She nodded. "Just a little light-headed. That's all."
"Did you eat something?"
She shook her head no. "I couldn't begin to eat. My stomach has been queasy and in knots. I'll be alright. Just the jitters."
John sat next to her and rubbed her neck. "Darling, in a little while, this will all be over and the state of New York will owe you a big apology. Then we turn around and sue the pants off them."

Rose lay back on the couch, her arm across her eyes. "I just want it to be over." Her blue eyes filled with tears. "I want to be a wife and mother and be in my own house. What if I get sent up the river for the next twenty-five years? Julie will be out of college then. And probably deep into therapy! Unless she becomes a little streetwalker! Will will be a grease monkey who strips cars on the side who shaves his head and is covered with tatoos! And all because Tori Sheffield couldn't keep her sticky fingers out of people's personal business!"
John helped her to her feet. "Come on, darling. Everyone who has been supoenaed will support you. Right, Patrick?"
Patrick put on a confident air he was not really feeling. "Huh? Oh! Sure, Rose! Sure!"
Rose picked up her coat. "Do you think the annulment will come out and Daniel..."
Her voice faded as they walked toward the car.
Patrick let out a deep sigh. This one is going to be tough!

William pulled up to the courthouse. The media was there in droves. ABC. NBC and CBS--followed by CNN and FOX and MSNBC.
William swore. "Can you believe this? Don't people have anything better to do with their time?"
Celeste looked out the car window. "Apparently not."
They got out of the car and pushed their way to the doors. Celeste held onto William's hand. The media pressed in.
"Are you for the prosecution or the defense, Mr. Conqueror?"
"Is it true those poems were from her lover? How does Mr. Gwinnett feel about it?"
"Is it true, Mr. Conqueror, that you have a cholesterol problem? Are you on Atkins?"
"Are you going to marry the woman you have been living with? Ma'am, would you show us your engagement ring? Have you set a date?"
William ignored them all, pushed through the doors and spat out, "A pox on all of them!"

Patrick looked out his car window. He sighed. "Just what I expected."
Rose gave a cynical little laugh. "Marty said no publicity is bad. I think he's wrong. Now I know how Martha Stewart felt."
John reached over and grabbed her hand. "Honey? You OK?"
Rose said, "Never mind the fact that I am on trial for my life? No. No, I am not OK. But I have no choice."
Patrick said, "I'll bet the Star has everyone curious. O.J. drew a media crowd like this too."
Rose said, "And I didn't even treat them to a Bronco ride!"
Patrick said, "Remember. I do all the talking. You two just stand there and hold hands. You have to present a picture of solidarity. Like nothing can ever come between you."
They exited the car and the media swarmed like bees to honey.

The reporters tried to get as close as they could. The flashbulbs were popping off.
John grasped Rose's hand and held it tight.
"Miss de Clifford! Was it a pot roast or a ham butt that you used on Tori Sheffield? And is it true you bought it on sale at Sam's Club?" "Are you and Mr. Gwinnett getting divorced? Is it true you are leaving him for Biff Murdoch?"
Rose whispered to John, "Biff?"
The questions continued to fly.
"Is it true you kicked your husband William Robert Montgomery out of the car and left him stranded while you ran off to Vegas with Elvis?"
Rose whispered to John again, "Elvis Costello?"
John shook his head.
"Is your daughter Julie your brother in law's child? Or is she the product of an alien abduction, uh, encounter? And if so, did you enjoy it?"
"It has been reported that you danced naked at the fires of Beltane. Were you selected by the stag to..."
Rose whispered to John, "How did they find out about the stag and the Beltrane fires?"
John was shocked. "ROSAMOND!!"
She shrugged and said, "What can I say? It was the 1100's!"
Patrick cut them off with a wave of his hand. "NO QUESTIONS! This is a murder trial in which I expect Miss de Clifford to be totally exhonerated. When that happens, we will have a press conference. Until then, NO COMMENT!"
Patrick ushered John and Rose into the courthouse.
The reporter from the Star asked the reporter from the National Enquirer, "What is this about a stag?"
"Well, it has been a fertility ritual of the Druids.." and with that their voices faded as the courthouse door closed.

"All rise! The honorable Judge Phillip Hallock presiding. The State vs. Rosamond de Clifford Gwinnett on the charge of murder in the second degree."
Judge Hallock, a stern man in his sixties, turned to the attorneys. "Rosamond de Clifford Gwinnett has been charged with murder in the second degree on Victoria Elaine Sheffield. Is the prosecution ready?"
"We are, your honor."
"Defense?"
Patrick stood up. "Yes, your honor."
Judge Hallock said, "Opening statement, Prosecutor. Please keep it succinct and brief."
"Yes, Your Honor." Amanda Baker rose. She looked very professional in her power suit. "The State of New York will prove without a shadow of a doubt that Ms. Gwinnett did in fact lure Ms. Sheffield to her unoccupied house at 274 Winding Willow and clubbed her with a pot roast" ..here there were a few giggles at which Judge Hallock glared..."and after having disabled her, did so take a kitchen knife from the knife block and stab Ms. Sheffield twenty-nine times, causing her to bleed to death when her carotid artery was slashed."
At this Rose visibly shuddered.
"Thank you." Ms. Baker concluded.
Judge Hallock turned to Patrick. "Defense?"
Patrick rose and said, "The defense will prove without a doubt that Ms. Sheffield was blackmailing Rosamond Gwinnett to the tune of 30,000.00 over some poetry that Ms. Sheffield did in fact seek out and purloin. The defense will show that Mrs. Gwinnett was elsewhere and that Ms. Sheffield was followed by someone else she was extorting. Rosamond would not have had the opportunity or the strength required to club someone with a 7 lb. frozen solid pot roast. Nor to bludgeon a person that many times."
Patrick sat down and Judge Hallock turned to Amanda Baker. "Call your first witness, please."


TO TELL THE TRUTH........by Coralynn

"The State calls Biff Murdock to the stand," Amanda Baker announces.
There is murmuring in the audience, people trying to figure out why the actor Biff Murdock is being called. Many of them are craning their necks around the people in front of them to get a better look at the man.
Biff settles into the witness chair after having been sworn in, looking very self satisfied.
"State your name, please."
"Walter William Eloishius Shackelford, but you can call me 'Biff!'"
Amanda ignores the suggestion and begins, "Now, Mr. Shackelford, how long have you known the accused?"
"About three years."
"How did you meet?"
"She was cast in the part of Daisy on As The Planet Turns. I was already playing the part of her love interest, but......she got me fired."
"How did she do that, Mr. Shackleford?"
"She accused me of raping her!" Biff says dramatically.
Rose jumps up and is about ready to yell out, but Patrick pulls her back down, whispering, "he's purjuring himself, let it go."
Rose is still fuming, but takes his advice.
"And were you? Did you? Rape her, that is."
"Good grief NO!"
"Then why did she accuse you of this?"
"Why? Why?! Because she wanted her boyfriend, John, there..." he points to John......"to have the part."
"Did she say anything else to you on this matter?"
"Yeah, she sure did! Told me that if I breathed a word of it I'd end up dead."
"She threatened to kill you?"
"Yes."
"That's all, Mr. Shackleford. Defense?" Amanda smirks as Patrick walks toward the witness box.

Patrick stands there a minute to clear his mind, and also to make this witness nervous. He looks at Biff, who looks back, then averts his gaze.
"Mr. Shakleford, did anyone else hear the accused threaten to kill you?"
"No."
"Does the name Gwendolyn Minor sound familiar to you?"
"Why should it?"
The Judge looks over and instructs, "Just say yes or no."
"No."
"That's interesting. She played the part of Daisy before Rose did. If you were the love interest in that drama, surely you met her on the set."
"What if I did?" Biff is getting testy and defensive.
"What was the reason she left the show?"
"Marty fired her; she was no good."
"Remember, you are under oath. You don't wish to perjure yourself do you, Mr. Shakleford?"
Biff is now visibly nervous, and as his eyes sweep the courtroom he sees Gwendolyn sitting in about the fifth row. She glares at him.
"She quit," he changes his story.
"Why did she quit?"
"Because she didn't like me."
"And why didn't she like you, Mr. Shakleford?"
"Hell if I know!"
"That's all for now, but you may be called back later. Thank you."

Patrick rejoins Rose at the defense table, winks at her and whispers, "Marty Henshaw is one of our witnesses. Biff is in a peck of trouble."

"The State now calls Gunther Gunther to the stand," Amanda Baker says loudly.
A blond Adonis type of guy ambles up and is sworn in. He sits in the witness chair smiling out over the sea of female faces, undressing the more attractive women with his mind.
"State your complete name."
"Gunther G. Gunther," he says, distracted by the killer legs of a woman in the first row.
"Full name."
"Oh yeah, it's Gunther Gunther Gunther," he says, winking at the killer legged woman.
"All three names are Gunther?"
"Right on!"
"Please look at the accused. Do you know this person, have you ever met, and when?"
"About three years ago. She wanted to take tennis lessons, or so she said, but she was all over me like white on rice."
"She made advances on you, Mr. Gunther?"
"It was awful! When I resisted, she said I'd better think twice, because she knew some mobsters who would put out a hit on me."
"She threatened you life?"
"Well, duhhhhh, yeah!"
"Just answer yes or no," the Judge says in a bored voice.
"Yes."
"How were you able to avoid being killed?" Amanda puts on her sympathetic voice.
"I took her to bed, and then I changed Country Clubs so she wouldn't be able to find me again."
Rose's face is flaming red. She glares at Gunther, then at Patrick, who puts his hand on her arm and whispers, "another perjury. Don't worry."
"That'll be all," Amanda Baker says, smirking.
The Judge looks at Patrick to see if he wants to cross examine.
"I may want to talk to this witness later, your Honor," he stands, then sits down again. Rose looks at him questioningly. "Don't worry," he whispers, "I have a plan."
Rose is thinking, Two men lied about me already, and the trial has just begun. This is going to be pure hell. Patrick knows what he's doing, he keeps telling me. I hope so.....my future depends upon it.

Amanda then says in a voice designed to strike terror into Rose's heart, "The State now calls Wanda Sue Skaggs Montgomery!"
Rose shakes her head; good grief, have they found every person on the planet who has it in for me?
WandaSue approaches the witness box, feeling very important, and realizing that if she says the right things, it may help put Rosebud behind bars for a long, long time.
She's sworn in, but, as she then goes up to sit in the witness box, is stopped dead in her tracks. Her muscles seize up and she falls flat on her face on the floor.
The observers stand to see what has happened. Has she had a heart attack? A fit? The murmuring becomes so loud that the Judge bangs his gavel and says loudly, "Order in the Court! Order in the Court!"

Wandasue looks up and sees several concerned faces looking down at her. "Just move that computer!" she yells out, pointing to the one not far from the witness box.
Someone carries the computer into another area, at which time WandaSue stands and completes her trip to the witness chair.
Dusting herself off, she smiles at the judge, at the jury, and out at the faces in the audience.
"Are you sure you're well enough to continue?" the Judge asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine now. Allergy to computers, doncha know!"
The Judge nods to Amanda, who hadn't counted on any of the witnesses she called to behave in such a bizarre manner, but plunges onward.
"State your full name," she again tells the witness.
"WandaSue Skaggs Montgomery," WandaSue puts particular emphasis on the last name.
"How long have you known the accused?"
"About two years. She married the man I'm still legally married to, and look, Judge, if you get a divorce case from the jerk, please rule in my favor. He's tryin' to stiff me out of our community property! And a rich man he is, too. Wouldn't ya think that a young girl, swept off her feet, married to a rich young landowning fella, would get more consideration? I mean, I gave that man the best years of my life!"
"Please just answer the questions!" the Judge says with an edge to his voice.
WandaSue rearranges herself in the chair, puts her hands together demurely and looks at Amanda expectantly.
"Has the accused ever threatened you?" Amanda cuts to the chase to keep this witness from telling her life story.
"On many occasions!" WandaSue is proud of her choice of words. White trash people don't say 'occasions' the way she does. But they don't know about the book, "Talk with Class..a Book of Vocabulary for Po' White Trash."
"Can you describe one of these occasions?" Amanda urges her.
WandaSue is impressed. This person catches on fast! Maybe I ought lend her the book, she thinks.
WandaSue sighs for effect, and gets a serious sad look on her face.
"She told me that if I didn't leave Billy Bob Montgomery alone, I would be swimming with the fishes!"
"She threatend your life?"
"Well yeah! You know what 'swimming with the fishes' is, doncha? Everybody knows that! And you're a lawyer? With a lot of fancy titles and degrees after yer name?"
"Just answer yes or no!" the Judge says once again.
"Yes. She threatend to knock me senseless and dump my body into the Hudson, or East River, or Long Island Sound, though, ya know, you'd have to go OUT a ways to get in water deep enough on the Sound! And she mentioned the Brooklyn Bridge, tossin' me over that one, or the TriBorough Bridge or that one with the cute name, what is it? uhhhh, is it the Verazono or something like that..."
"Please just stick to answering the questions that are asked!" the Judge yells.
Amanda is beginning to regret calling this witness, but decides to at least walk away with a clear characterization of Rose as a person who has threatened to kill a lot of people.
"She threatened your life." Amanda states, looking at WandaSue for verification.
"She sure did, Toots!"
"That will be all for now, but I may call you back at another time."
"Great doin' business with you!" WandaSue smiles widely and prepares to leave the witness box.
"Does the defense care to cross examine this witness at this time?" the Judge asks Patrick.
Ohhhhhhh no, WandaSue's happiness evaporates.
Patrick slowly approaches the witness box, doing his 'stare a hole in their foreheads' technique.
"Ms. Skaggs....."
"It's Mrs. Montgomery to you, fella!" she says proudly.
Patrick decides to not address her by name. "Isn't it true that you were blackmailing Rose and John and even William Robert Montgomery?"
"So what?! This isn't about me! This is about that homicidal maniac, Rosebud!"
"Just establishing a motive," Patrick says calmly, "Is it true that you and the accused were found duking it out several months ago and had to be put in the town jail?"
"Sure!"
"Isn't it true that you have a long-standing enmity toward the accused?"
"Hell yes! She went and married my man! Listen, Mister, women are territorial..." another big word, wow......"and we protect what's ours!"
"Isn't it also true that you would do anything, even perjure youself, to see the accused put in prison?"
"You betcha!" WandaSue goes along with this line of reasoning.
"That will be all," Patrick says and takes his seat.
WandaSue sits there wondering what just happened. Did I actually agree with that guy that I would perjure myself? Wonder what that is anyway? Doesn't sound like a good word! Better look it up in the book!


______________.......by Terri

After Wanda Sue's glorious testimony, the courtroom broke for lunch. Patrick, John and Rose found a small room in the courthouse. Patrick sent out for Chinese food.
Rose was furious. "I can't believe the lies that Gunther told on the stand! Sure, he's a hunk. But PLEASE!!!"
John added, "Rosamond took one lesson from him. He got her drunk on Long Island Ice Teas and then tried to get her into his room at the Country Club.I punched his lights out and he went down like a ton of bricks. He planned it so he even had a white towel on the doorknob!"
Patrick broke into a reverie. "I remember those days.." with a dreamy look on his face.
Rose asked, "Are we going to let the entire town obliterate my reputation?"
Patrick answered, "You have to remember that they are the PROSECUTION'S witnesses. We have your friends. That's when I control the courtroom."
John shook his head. "Wanda Sue Montgomery. Who would have thought she would be testifying?"
Rose said, "It's like that last Seinfeld episode where they trotted out everyone that ever knew them. All the ones they wronged."
Patrick grinned. "But you don't have Jackie Childs for a lawyer. You have me. With the gift of Blarney."
"Do I take the stand, Patrick?"
"We save you for last, Rose. Just keep looking like you came from a DAR meeting."

When the courtroom resumed and procedures were followed, the judge said, "Call your next witness, Ms. Baker."
"Certainly, Your Honor. The State calls Robert Joseph Austin to the stand."
Rose slunk down in her seat. Whose side would Bobby Joe be on anyway?
Ms Baker said, "State your name and occupation, please."
"Robert Joseph Austin. Folks call me Bobby Joe. I am part time bartender at the Dew Drop Inn."
"How long have you known the defendant?"
"Almost two years."
"Would you relate your first meeting for us?" "Well, Rose came into the Dew Drop Inn trying to wash some guy's memory away."
"She tell you about it?"
"No."
"How did you know?"
"It came out eventually. She met a friend of mine and told him a story that she was married."
"Was she?"
"No. She was dancing with my friend and a man came in and acted like her husband. Tried to drag her out of the bar. He and my friend got into an argument. The man told my friend that she had a uh, VD."
The court room gasped. Rose slid even further down in her seat.
"Did your friend believe him?"
"I guess so. He told my friend that Rose left the baby with her ma, wrecked his truck, and shot his best hunting dog. That he caught her with his own brother. Turns out it wasn't true. She was nursing a broken heart and wanted to be left alone."
"What about the man?"
"Guess he was just protecting her."
"Was that the last you saw of Rosamond Gwinnett?"
Bobby Joe scratched his head. "Well....no. She started frequenting the place. We called her Tequila Sunrise. On account of that is what she always ordered."
"So you are saying she was in there enough to rate a little pet name. Did she see anyone there? On a social level?"
Bobby Joe hem-hawed around and then blurted out, "It's no secret that the guy who had the hots for her from the start was Billy Bob."
"William Robert Montgomery?"
"Yes. She started singing with the band and they were great together. They started seeing each other in spite..."
Bobby Joe stopped.
"In spite of what, Mr. Austin?"
"In spite of the fact that Daniel Gwinnett started working there too."
"This was a problem?"
"It was obvious from the start that Rose and Daniel were involved. Or at least had been at one time."
"How do you know this?"
"I emptied the garbage out at the DDI and saw them talking. They were in Rose's car and they left together. Then next night they were talking by Rose's car again and she swung her leg out to kick him. He caught her foot and he threw her to the ground. She side-kicked him and he fell too."
"Anything pass between them?"
"Rose tried to pretend like there wasn't but Daniel always came out with those, you know...innuendoes. To let us know they were more than kissin' cousins. But by that time Billy Bob staked a claim. By the time they got back from Austin, everyone knew she was his girl."
"And this was a few weeks after she met Billy Bob?"
"Uh..uh..I guess so."
"When was this?"
"Around August of 2002. Billy Bob was totally turned inside out by her. He'd put salt in his coffee, shoes on the wrong feet. We all thought they were perfectly matched."
SNAP!! Everyone looked up. Subconsiously John had broken a pencil in half.
"She married him a few months later. On account of she was pregnant and Billy Bob thought the baby was his."
"Did you know about John Gwinnett and Rose de Clifford?"
"Not really. At least not at the time. Maybe in retrospect there were clues. But I think I figured it out when Billy Bob was uh, misplaced in Paris and Rose brought John Gwinnett around."
"You mean the time that Billy Bob was assumed murdered?"
"Yeah."
"How long after did she bring him around?"
"Three days."
GASP!!! The courtroom reverberated with the sound.
Rose put her hand to her mouth. Whose side are you on anyways, Bobby Joe. Finally Bobby Joe said, "Look, I don't want to give the wrong impression..."
"That will be all, Mr. Austin. Your honor, I am finished with this witness."
"Defense?"
Patrick approached the stand. "Mr. Austin, did you ever see any fights between Rosamond Gwinnett and Mr. Montgomery?"
"No, but he called me that night she kicked him out.."
"But you didn't see the fight, did you?"
"No."
"You just have Billy Bob Montgomery's word. The word of a man who disappeared for months and put his poor wife through HELL!"
"Yes sir."
"How long have you known Mr. Montgomery?"
"Since I was three. What does this have to do..?"
"So you have had a life-long friendship with Rosamond's ex-husband. A man who has been very controlling and domineering in her life."
"Well, uh..."
"So naturally you would be on the side of Mr. Montgomery."
"No, you have it all wrong. Rose has never been anything but decent to me. She let me stay in the guest house when Billy Bob was dead. She was fair to me."
"Did she ever make a pass at you? A good-looking guy like you?"
"No sir. She never did. We had a friendship. Nothing more than that."
"Did she confide she was miserable with him?"
"Didn't have to. You could see it on her face. Like someone sapped the spirit out of her. I thought it was just the pregnancy."
"Do you know of Wanda Sue Skaggs blackmailing Billy Bob Montgomery?"
"OBJECTION, Your Honor! These two are not on trial!"
"Sustained. Please keep your questions pertinent to the case here, Mr. O'Malley."
Patrick said, "I'm sorry, Your Honor. No more questions."
Billy Bob stepped down. As he passed by Rose, he whispered, "Honest. I didn't want to do it." And then he sat down in the back.
Rose sighed. If it is like this on the first day, what will the second one bring?


THE WORST WITNESS..............by Coralynn

Amanda Baker calls her next witness: "I call Travis McGee to the stand." she announces. This ougha put the nail in the coffin of Rose Gwinett's character profile, she thinks, a cop testifying against her. Perfect.
Travis struts up to the front of the courtoom. Rose puts her right hand over her face, then peeks through her fingers at her worst nightmare being sworn in. She turns to Patrick, who is stifling a laugh. She hopes Patrick isn't underestimating Travis' ability to make her look like someone who could kill.

Travis takes the stand, and when Amanda Baker asks his name and occupation, says as loudly as he can, "Travis Johnson McGee, Police officer!"
"Now, Mr. McGee, it is my understanding that you know the accused, Rose Gwinett. Would you describe your knowledge of this person."
"Oh yeah, she's a killer alright!" Travis goes for the jugular immediately.
The Judge says loudly, "The witness is not to pass judgement on the defendent, just answer the questions asked!"
"I met her back oh two, two and a half years ago. She and her 'hippie commune' of rich snobs had moved into that big house on Winding Willow..."
The Judge interrupts, "Refrain from character assassinations! Just state the facts and leave out the editorializing!"
"OK. Rose and her gang moved in. Immediately the whole neighborhood was turned upside down because these people gave loud parties, and it is my understanding that drugs were present, even sold on the premises!"
The Judge: "I warn you, stick to answering the questions, just the questions or I'll have to disqualify you as a witness!"
Amanda Baker is not too pleased with her witness and decides to guide him more carefully. "In your official capacity as a Police officer, did you ever have any dealings with the defendent?"
"Hell yes! Seems every time I turned around she was parked in some lover's lane or other with some man, and it wasn't the same man every time, either! She must have had intimate relationships with eight or ten guys!"
The Judge again, "State facts, do not conjecture. One more time and you will be removed."
Amanda tries desperately to keep her witness on the straight and narrow, "So you found that the accused frequented these lovers lanes? Just exactly how many times did you come upon her with a man?"
"Three. Or was it four? Lots and lots!" Travis is on a roll, "And.....she protected her drug lord husband, John Gwinett, you know, the guy who pushes speed and crack and heroin and God knows what else...."
The Judge actually stands up from his seat after banging the gavel, "You are dismissed, Officer McGee. Never in my twenty-three years on the bench have I ever had to throw out a witness, but there's always a first time. Stand down."
"What?!" Travis is nonplussed, "Stand down?"
"Yes. Go back to where you were sitting. I warned you about interjecting other factors into your testimony, but you ignored them. Now you are dismissed!"
Amanda Baker gestures for Travis to get out of the witness chair. He does, bewildered. "You told me to tell what I knew..." he whispers to Amanda, "and that's what I was doing....."
"Sit down, McGee!" is all she can get out between clenched teeth.

Patrick whispers to Rose, "Don't have to cross examine that witness. He did it for me!" which brings a smile to Rose's face.
But her expression changes when she hears Amanda Baker call out, "My next witness is William Clinton!"
As Bill is sworn in, Rose, perplexed, asks Patrick, "Why would the prosecution call him?"
"I don't understand it, either," Patrick answers.
The first question Amanda asks tells them the reason, "Mr. Clinton, or should I call you President Clinton? Do you know the accused? And just how well do you know her?"
Rose and Patrick have "I don't believe I'm hearing this" expressions on their faces as they look at each other, mouths gaping.
"I know Rose Gwinett socially, just as I know the others in the house on Winding Willow.....Eleanor, William, Bethia...."
"Just answer the question asked!" the Judge interjects.
"I know her from being at the same social events." Bill says then stops.
"Did you observe any erratic behavior on her part? Any violent outbursts?"
"None that I can remember. Her friend, Marilyn, however, decked a few guys....now there's a real scrappy woman!"
"Answer the question and only the question!" Judge Hallock is wondering why this whole case is getting so out of control. Amanda Baker must be desperate or she wouldn't be calling these people, who, it appears, don't know when to shut up!

"Were you there during a party in which the Police had to break up a fight? And was Rose a part of that altercation?"
"A fight? Rose? Only fight I ever saw was between Montgomery and John Gwinett, but Rose? No."
Amanda is confused. She was told by excellent sources that Bill had seen her in a brawl at one of the now-famous parties at the big house.
Bill is enjoying walking down memory lane, however and goes on, "The most exciting party was when John got out of the ropes his brother Daniel had him tied up in, came downstairs and fell face first into the soup toureen!" Bill laughs uproariously.

"Counselor! Control your witness!" the Judge demands of Amanda.
Amanda again tries to get this mess back under her control, "Did you see the defendent act in any inappropriate manner?"
"No, not really. She couldn't help that half the men in Westchester County had the hots..."
"I said ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ONLY!" Judge Hallock thunders.
"Did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Have the hots for her?" Amanda knows this is not keeping to the subject, but can't help herself. She has to get something on Rose. Something. Anything to make her look unstable.
"NO! I did not!" Bill is now getting red in the face and angry.
"Counselor, please approach the bench!" the Judge says sternly.
Amanda does so and hears, "You had better screen your witnesses better if you want to establish whatever it is you're trying to establish. Just what IS it you're going for here anyway?"
"I want the defendent to appear erratic and unstable and hopefully violent."
"Then please pick your witnesses more carefully. Excused."

Amanda knows she's made some miscalculations, and in humiliation, sits down at the Prosecutors table.
"Does the Defense wish to cross examine?" the Judge asks Patrick.
"No."
Rose turns to Patrick, "No?" she whispers.
"No need. Bill's testimony could have been for the defense, Rose. No harm, no foul."

Judge Hallock checks the clock and announces, "We'll adjourn till 10 am tomorrow." then bangs his gavel, gets up and walks back into his chambers, shaking his head.

Richard Anderson, Jury Foreman, rubs his hand over his face. This is the best the prosecution has? How can I sway the Jury to proclaim her guilty unless the prosecuting lawyer comes up with something more concrete? Like an eye-witness to the crime? If this charade goes on, I'm cooked, and my wife can just kiss those breast implants goodbye!


EVENING'S REPAST, MORNING'S RANT....by Terri

Patrick ushered Rosamond and John out of the courthouse to the flurry of flashbulbs and microphones thrust at them.
Patrick yelled, "I TOLD YOU---NO QUESTIONS, NO STATEMENTS, NO COMMENTS!" Once in Patrick's Mercedes, Rosamond leaned on John.
She was totally pale and exhausted. John rubbed her neck. "You holding up alright, pumpkin?"
She shook her head. "No. But I have no choice, do I? This is where my acting comes in handy. I have to act like I am fine."
John murmured, "It will be over soon. Then life can get back to normal."
Rose said, "What is normal anyway? Even if I am found innocent, I will always be under suspicion. Like OJ. I think we should move. Maybe to North Dakota. Or Saskatchewan."
John said, "We'll talk about that later."
As they pulled up to the house, a lone reporter stood there in the dusk. She approached Rosamond shyly. "Excuse me, my name is Holly Hartford...."
Patrick whirled on her. "I SAID NO INTERVIEWS AND I MEAN IT!!"
Holly just about shrank into the darkness. She stammered, "I-I'm sorry. This is my first assignment. I didn't want to do this, honest I didn't..."
Rose felt sorry for the young woman. She spoke kindly to her. "I'm sorry, Holly, but I can't talk to anyone right now."
Holly's face fell. "Oh. I--I guess I am out of a job. My editor said 'get a statement or else.' I'm sorry to have bothered you, Miss de Clifford..."
Rose felt sorry for her. "I'll tell you what, Miss Hartford. When the trial is over, I will grant you--and only you--an exclusive interview. Would that be enough to save your job?"
Holly couldn't believe her ears. "You'd do that?"
Rose looked to Patrick. "Is that allowable?"
Patrick scowled. "Yes. But, Rose..."
"Tell you what, Holly. I'll have Patrick draw up a contract and have your editor call him for confirmation. Will that do?"
"Will it! Wonderful! I can't thank you enough!" Holly's eyes were shining. "And..Miss de Clifford--Mrs. Gwinnett?---for what it is worth, I think you are innocent."
Rose smiled genuinely at the young girl. "Thanks, Miss Hartford. That means a lot to me."
Holly got in the car and drove off.
Patrick said, "But Rose.."
"No 'buts' Patrick. I will need a spin doctor after this. And what better than a noviced, unjaded rookie reporter?"
They went inside the house.

Celeste had a nice dinner ready for them. Everyone in the house was invited, including Roger and Bethia. She had comfort food--chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole. Will threw himself into his mother's arms and she held him tight. As they sat down to dinner, Rose just picked at her food.
Celeste said, "Dear, you have to eat something. To keep your strength up."
Rose said listlessly, "I just can't. I am too upset. The lies they are telling about me! Biff! Gunther! Travis! Where would I find the time to go to Venus Point? I have kids to take care of! And why would a person go to the lover's lane when the Bide-a-Wee motel rents by the hour?" She attempted a smile.
The dinner talk then consisted of small talk, everyone carefully avoiding talk about the trial. Patrick bid them goodnight early. He was staying over in the guest room and had his notes to go over for the next day. John and Rose went upstairs with the children to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Bethia and Roger stood up to leave. "I only have about 6 more weeks to go. I can't wait!"
William said, "Don't rush it. At least they are quiet now!"
Bethia said, "I'm worried about Rose. She needs to keep her strength up right now."
Roger said, "If it will make you feel better, little Mama, I will give her a tonic."
Bethia beamed. "See why I love this man?"
They left for their own house.

Upstairs, John and Rose were spending time with their children. Rose gave Julie a bath while Will read a book to John. After the children were settled in their beds, John and Rose found time for each other. As they lay wrapped in each other's arms, Rose said hesitatingly, "John?"
"Hmm?" he said drowsily.
"Do--do you think we would have--you know--conjugal visits? I don't want you to bring the children to see me. I couldn't bear to see them and not be able to touch them."
Her laugh was brittle. "Besides, they can see me picking up trash on the side of Route 9. I'll be the one in the orange jumpsuit. Unless they put me in solitary confinement."
John kissed her and stroked her hair back from her face. "Darling, don't think that way!"
Rose tried to keep her stomach from doing flip-flops. "What if there is a mistrial? John, I don't think I can go through it again. I just want to get it over with."
John kept his arms wrapped tightly around her. "Patrick is the absolute best. I promise you. This nightmare will be over."


The next morning, William got up early to read his five newspapers. He put the coffeepot on and what percolated next was always a matter of speculation in the folklore of Winding Willow. As he unfurled the papers, the headlines screamed,

Clinton Denies Relationship

"I Never Had Sexual Relations With That Woman!!" Clinton States.

Hilary Has Tape of Torrid Affair

Four Year White House Affair Revealed! Gwinnett Was a Child of Twelve!

"William Conqueror Was My Go-Between!" Clinton Confesses.

THE TRIAL, DAY #2

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