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January
17, 2003 Transcript Cameron remains in the doorway of the PCPD interrogation room surprised to be face to face with his son.
Zander: Go on, dad. Leave. What are you waiting for?
Cameron slowly walks in and shuts the door behind him. Cameron: I didn't expect to see you. Zander: Sure you did. You followed me to Port Charles, right? Cameron: No, Alexander, I didn't. The police take Jason from the hospital back to the courthouse. Alexis and Scotty are speaking quietly to the judge at the bench. Scott: This procedure has been used in courts before. It's very effective. Alexis: And is inherently unfair to my client. Judge: Your client's condition is no longer critical. Is that correct? Alexis: She is still in no condition to go on trial for her life. Judge: If she would've considered that before she dove in the lake --
Alexis: Your honor, with all due respect, I submit that this is yet another publicity stunt staged by the District Attorney. (Looks at Scott) Scott: We all have a right to know. I mean, everybody is entitled to a fair trial. Judge: Save it, Mr. Baldwin. Alexis: The last thing anyone needs is more publicity. Judge: Then let's get it over with, shall we? Mr. Baldwin, I'm granting your request. The trial will commence in the next 20 minutes. Alexis: (Takes a frustrated breath and glances to Scott) Nice work, counselor. Scott: Better get your clients ready. Scott strolls off and leaves Alexis looking very nervous. Jax hands the videotape over to the police at the bank. Zander: I must be totally gone to think you'd come after me. Cameron: Do you even know what you're taking? Zander: What do you care?
Cameron: I did hire a private investigator. Zander: Mom made you, right? (Cameron nods slightly) I heard you split up. Cameron: You broke her heart. Zander: So it's my fault, too? Cameron: She was devastated. She wanted to start over. Zander looks down at the floor. Zander: Been deer hunting lately? (He looks up) Cameron: You've been waiting a long time to say that, haven't you? Zander knocks away the chair behind him in anger and walks up to Cameron.
Zander: Look at me right now. You see Peter, don't you, lying on the ground?
Cameron: Yes. Zander: You wish it was me, don't you? Come on! Admit it! Cameron: Yes. Every day. Cameron: Before you shot him, Peter showed great promise. Look at you.
Zander: You know, I didn't even want to go hunting. Did you know that? Peter talked me into it. Cameron: And he talked me into taking you. Zander: I should've just gone to the beach and partied like I planned. Cameron: You never had a plan in your life, Alex. Zander: Hey, who walked away from me at the funeral? (Cameron sighs) Who walked away from me at the church? Cameron: No direction, no responsibility. Zander: You wouldn't even ride with me when they -- Cameron: Don't expect me to apologize. Zander: You must be a lousy shrink, you know that? Cameron: The instant you pulled that trigger, I lost everything. Zander: (He pause and looks down at the floor) Something moved, dad. I thought it was a deer. Cameron: You want me to feel sorry for you? Zander: No. Cameron: To tell you everything's fine? Zander: (Shouting) I didn't mean to shoot my brother! Cameron: And that makes it all right? That'll bring him back?
Cameron walks out the door.
Zander grabs one of the chairs and hurls it back against the wall. Cameron walks out into the squad room where Mac and Gia are waiting. Gia: What happened?
Cameron: I can't help that kid. (Zander walks out of the room) Nobody can. Lock him up. Mac: (In disbelief) That's your professional recommendation? Cameron: I don't care what you do. Just don't call me again. Zander: I told you this was a bad idea. Mac: I'm giving you one more chance, Zander. Zander: Don't do me any favors, commissioner. Cameron: (Looking at Zander) He doesn't deserve it. Mac: You mess up again, you're going to jail. Zander: Well, then I guess I'll see you soon. (To Cameron) right, Doc? Zander begins to walk out of the PCPD.
Gia: (To Cameron) What's the matter with you? Gia sighs and walks out following Zander. The police bring a closed circuit camera system into Brenda's hospital room in order to conduct the trial. Jax stays at her bedside. In the courthouse hallway, Alexis gets off the phone with Brenda to let her know about the camera system. Jason and Sonny are standing with her when she hangs up and puts her phone away. Sonny: How did Brenda take it? Alexis: I have no idea. Jax is with her. Do you have any idea what's on that tape? Sonny: No. Alexis: Do you have any indication where the tape was made? Sonny: I didn't get a good look at it.
Alexis: (To Jason) The jury won't see it, either, if it helps Brenda in any way. We have to go in there. No matter what Scott says to you, no matter how angry he makes you, you do not lose your temper, and what I mean by that is you don't sit in that chair with that icy, remorseless stare of yours (Jason takes in a breath and stands straighter) because he is going to convince the jury that you are a killing machine. You may be that, but don't do his job for him. Alexis walks back into the courtroom.
Jason gives Sonny an unsure look. The trial begins with Brenda joining via closed circuit TV monitor. There is a monitor on the defendants' desk as well as one in front of the jury. Bailiff: All rise. (Everyone begins to stand up) Court is in session, the matter of the people vs. Brenda Barrett Morgan and Jason Morgan regarding the first-degree murder of Luis Alcazar. (The judge sits down) You may be seated. Judge: Are all parties present? Scott: (Motioning to the TV monitor) We're all set, your honor. Judge: The prosecution is ready? Scott: Yes, sir. Judge: The defense is ready? Alexis: (Standing up) Yes, your honor. Judge: You may begin, Ms. Davis. Alexis stands up and walks confidently toward the jury box. Alexis: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you very much for your time and patience. As you know, the lives of my clients, Jason and Brenda Morgan, are at stake, and I am counting on you to listen and to arrive at a fair and just verdict. Zander tells Gia that Cameron is if father. He tells her that he shot his brother while hunting. Alexis: Some facts in this case are clear. Brenda Barrett Morgan, among others, was at the scene of the crime. The District Attorney will tell you that my clients had motive to want Luis Alcazar dead, and I am telling you that there is a long list of people who had motive to want Luis Alcazar dead because he was a bad man who did bad things. He was an arms dealer who continually operated above the law. Perhaps the District Attorney (Scott shifts in his chair uneasily) can explain to you how a man like that could not only be acquitted of kidnapping, but be acquitted of attempted murder. (Waving a finger toward Scott) And perhaps he can explain to you how a man like that could get away with holding Brenda Barrett Morgan against her will for over four years, kidnapping a respected doctor, and shooting a prominent businessman. (Pointing again) Perhaps he can explain to you how a man like that who has absolutely no regard for human life could be set free into society to walk the streets of Port Charles to do as he saw fit. (Shakes her head slightly)The facts in this case -- some will be difficult to hear. It will be brother against brother, some will be sister against brother. (Camera focuses in on A.J. and Skye) But the bottom line here, the core of this case, is reasonable doubt because no one will ever know exactly what happened in that hotel the night that Luis Alcazar was murdered. So all that we can do is consider the evidence, we can listen to the witnesses, and we can try to put the pieces together. But I am telling you that the pieces do not fit. (She pauses) You're going to listen to the facts of this case, you're going to hear the state. And you will understand and you will come to the conclusion that the state cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my clients, Jason and Brenda Morgan, killed Luis Alcazar. Thank you for your attention. Alexis goes back to her desk. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, your first witness, please.
Scott: (Stands up) I call A.J. Quartermaine. A.J. gets up from the gallery and walks to the stand. Bailiff: Raise your right hand. (He raises first his left and then his right hand and places the other on the Bible) Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god?
A.J.: I do. Outside the courtroom, Sonny threatens Coleman. He implies he'll make sure Coleman sleeps with the fishes if Jason and Brenda are convicted. Coleman is scared. Scott: On the night he was murdered, you saw Mr. Alcazar in the back of his limousine alive and well, correct? A.J.: Yes. Scott: And you saw the man who was driving the limousine, and he is in this courtroom? A.J.: Yes. Scott: Would you point him out?
A.J.: (Points to Jason) Jason Morgan. Scott: Let the record show that Mr. Quartermaine has pointed out Mr. Morgan as a known hit man -- Alexis: Objection. Scott: Number one goon -- Alexis: Objection, your honor. Scott: To - (looks at the judge) Judge: Tone it down, Mr. Baldwin. Scott: (Looks at Jason) Well, I doubt that Mr. Morgan was taking Mr. Alcazar out for a banana split. Jason stares at Scott. Alexis: Your honor -- Scott: Your witness. Scott goes and sits down. Alexis takes off her glasses, stands up and walks toward A.J. Alexis: On the evening in question, you had a clear view of the limousine, did you not? (Leans her elbows on the witness stand) A.J.: Yes. Alexis: No obstruction? You could see the interior? A.J.: Yes. (Points to Jason) Jason Morgan was driving the car. Alexis: Mm-hmm. A.J.: Yeah. Alexis: Was there anyone else in the limousine? A.J.: Luis Alcazar. Alexis: Anyone else? A.J.: Skye Quartermaine.
Skye shifts uneasily. Alexis: You mean, Mrs. Skye Quartermaine Jacks, the estranged wife of Jasper Jacks? A.J.: Yes. Alexis: Mrs. Jacks is your sister, correct? A.J.: Correct. Alexis: And Jason is your brother, correct? A.J.: Correct. Alexis: Was Mrs. Jacks riding up front with her brother? A.J.: No. Alexis: Where was she sitting? A.J.: In the back. Alexis: With Alcazar? A.J.: That's correct. Alexis: Did she seem as if she had been kidnapped? A.J.: No. Alexis: Did you tell the police that your sister was riding next to Alcazar in the limo the night that he was murdered? A.J.: No. Alexis: And why is that? A.J.: It didn't seem relevant. Alexis: But turning your brother in did? A.J.: Yes. Alexis: You're a recovering alcoholic, aren't you, A.J.? A.J.: Recovering, yes. Alexis: Are you drunk now? A.J.: No. Alexis: When was the last time you remember being drunk? Scott: Relevance. Judge: Get where you're going, Ms. Davis.
Alexis: Mr. Quartermaine, isn't it true that you've had a long-standing grudge against your brother, Jason? A.J.: Yes. Jason continues to stare at A.J. Alexis: Isn't it true that you have felt pitted against him since childhood? A.J.: Yes. In the gallery Monica shakes her head at A.J. Alexis: And haven't you stated on numerous occasions that you would do anything to destroy your brother, Jason? A.J.: Jason Morgan is a contract killer. I saw him drive Luis Alcazar straight to his death, and nothing will change that. The gallery buzzes. Alexis: Thank you, Mr. Quartermaine. The gallery continues to murmur and the judge pounds the gavel. Judge: Order in this courtroom!
A.J. and Jason stare at each other. Courtney tip-toes into the courtroom and sits by Sonny. Scotty now has Skye on the stand. Scott: You're absolutely sure you saw Brenda Morgan go after Mr. Alcazar with a knife? Skye stares at the monitor showing Brenda in the hospital. Skye: Yes. Brenda shakes her head a little big. Scott: No further questions. Scotty sits down and Alexis approaches Skye. Alexis: You're a recovering alcoholic, the same as your brother, is that correct? Skye: (Smiling uncomfortably) What does that have to do with anything? Judge: Please answer yes or no.
Alexis: Excuse me, what does "recovering alcoholic" mean?
Camera focuses in on Sonny and Courtney at the back of the courtroom. Skye: Well, it means you're dealing with the disease one day at a time. Alexis: Did you have a drink today, Mrs. Jacks? Skye: I'm fine.
Alexis: I'm glad to hear that, but I -- I asked you if you had a drink today, and I'm afraid I need a yes or a no. Skye: (Uncomfortably) Yes. Alexis: How many drinks have you had today?
Skye: I don't really count drinks.
Sonny smiles at the back of the courtroom. Alexis: All right, let me see if I can help you. Was is two drinks? Was is four drinks? Was it 10 drinks? Skye: A few. Alexis: Are you drunk now, Mrs. Jacks?
Scott: Objection. Alexis: (To the judge) Relevance, your Honor. Judge: I'll allow it. Ms. Davis, move on, please. Alexis: Thank you, your honor. Are you drunk now, Mrs. Jacks? Skye: No. Alexis: Were you drinking the night Luis Alcazar was murdered? Skye: Yes. Alexis: How many drinks did you have? Skye: I -- I was very upset. Alexis: All right, was that four drinks upset, or 11 drinks upset? Skye: I was drunk. Alexis: So when you got into the limo with the man who shot, paralyzed, and nearly killed your husband, you were drunk? Skye: My family was giving a party that night -- Alexis: Yes or no, please, Mrs. Jacks. Skye: Yes. Alexis: Were you fond of Luis Alcazar? Skye: No. Alexis: Were you attracted to Luis Alcazar? Skye: No. Alexis: Did you hate Luis Alcazar? Skye: Yes. Alexis: Did you have sex with Luis Alcazar the night that he was murdered?
Sonny chuckles. Skye: Yes. Alexis: Was it good? Scott: Your -- your honor? Alexis: Withdrawn. Judge: You know better, Ms. Davis. Alexis: You're absolutely right, Your Honor, and I apologize to the court. I'd like some clarification on some of your testimony, if you don't mind, Mrs. Jacks. Now, you said that you could see the murder clearly from Luis Alcazar's bedroom? Skye: Yes. Alexis: Even though you were drunk -- Skye: Yes. Alexis: And just had sex with the man who shot your husband? Skye: Yes. Alexis:
Ahem -- could you see clearly -- from Luis Alcazar's bedroom, could
you see the balcony Skye: No, but Brenda was in the -- Alexis: Why is that? Because you were drunk, Mrs. Jacks? Skye: No, I -- I could see through a little crack in the door. Alexis: Did you see Brenda Morgan actually stab Luis Alcazar? Skye: Yes. Alexis: How many times? Skye: She was chasing him. Alexis: I didn't ask you if she was chasing him, I asked you if you saw Brenda Morgan actually stab Luis Alcazar. Skye: Yes. Alexis: Are you sure? Skye: I said yes!
Alexis: All right, then did you see Brenda Morgan actually push Luis Alcazar over the balcony? Skye: She was going after him, so it only makes sense she was the one. Alexis: You hate Brenda Morgan, don't you? Skye: Yes. Alexis: Why is that? Skye: She stole my husband. Alexis: Does that make you angry? Skye: She showed up on my wedding night! Alexis: (Looks at the jury) That would make me angry, too. (She turns back to Skye) Do you want Brenda Morgan out of the picture? Skye: Yes. Alexis: Why, so your husband will love you again?
Skye looks up at Alexis a little shocked. Sonny smiles. Alexis: Mrs. Jacks, you didn't see Brenda kill anyone, did you? Because you were passed out in Luis Alcazar's bed. Skye: No! Alexis: You weren't passed out in Luis Alcazar's bed? Skye: Yes! Alexis: Do you even remember having sex with him at all? Scott: Objection!
Judge: I'll allow it. Answer the question. Skye's head is swimming and she doesn't really know what she's answering yes or no to anymore. Skye: Yes. Alexis: Are you sure, Mrs. Jacks? Skye: Yes, mostly. Alexis: Did you have a blackout that night, Mrs. Jacks? Skye: I -- I was very upset! Alexis: Just answer the question, yes or no, please. Skye: (Buries her head in her hands) I -- I don't remember! The gallery buzzes and Sonny beams with delight. As Coleman puts his head in his hand.
Alexis: You don't have any idea who killed Luis Alcazar, do you? Skye: (Yells into the microphone) Yes! Alexis: Because, in fact, it could have been you. Skye: (Screaming) No, it wasn't me! (Pointing at the monitor) Brenda killed Alcazar! (The camera covering Brenda pulls back to reveal Jax sitting with her) That lying slut stole my husband on my wedding night, and she deserves everything that jury's going to throw at her! She ruined my life, and now I want you to ruin hers! Judge: Order in the court. Alexis: No further questions, your honor. Judge: Get your witness under control. Skye stumbles off of the witness stand and walks up to the monitor. She points at it and begins to yell.
Skye: You -- you stole the only man I ever loved, and now I can't wait to watch you suffer! Jax: You know what, Skye? Leave Brenda alone. She's innocent. Skye: Oh, my god, do you see this? She's in bed! That lying slut is in bed with my husband! You miserable whore! Jax: Would somebody please get her away from the TV? Skye: Oh, no, I'm going to turn it off so you guys can get back to what you're doing! Jax: Somebody get her out of there!
A.J. and the bailiff pull Skye away from the monitor. Judge: Order in the court! A.J.: Let's go, Skye. Skye: No, let me go! Judge: Get your witness under control! Skye: I wish you'd die, you bitch!
Skye screams as A.J. and the bailiff drag her away. Judge: Order in this court! Her purse slips from her hand and she gasps as she sees that her flask has fallen out for everyone to see. She begins to sob. A.J. picks up the flask and helps Skye sit down. In Brenda's room, Jax buries his head in his hand. Zander scores some more drugs and washes them down with beer. He wanders along the street remembering his father's voice telling him he never thinks and it's his fault Peter is dead. Zander passes out on the ground in the snow. The court gallery continues to buzz after Skye's outburst. Judge: Order in the court. Any more outbursts in this courtroom, and I'll hold you in contempt (Taggert walks in) and you'll spend the rest of this trial in a jail cell. Next witness. Taggert walks up to Scotty holding the video tape. Alexis is nervous and speaks up. Alexis: What is going on here, your honor? Scott: (Stands up and buttoning his jacket) Your honor, I apologize for the late notice, but I request permission to present new evidence. Alexis: (Standing up) I'm sorry, but I have not seen or heard of any of this. Judge: What evidence? Scott: Lt. Taggert.
Taggert hands Scotty the tape. Judge: What is it? Scott: Videotape. Judge: Where did this tape come from? Scott: Ms. Davis knows very well it was supplied by her own client, Brenda Morgan. Judge: Mrs. Barrett Morgan, did you make this evidence available? Brenda: Yes, your honor. Judge: In what manner did you do this? Brenda: I found the key to the safety deposit box. Scott: In a yacht at the bottom of the lake, the tape was in the safety deposit box. Alexis: Do I need to mention chain of evidence? Scott: Jasper jacks presented the tape to the police himself.
Judge: Is that correct, Mr. Jacks? Jax: Yes, that's correct, your honor.
Sonny watches nervously.
Alexis: (Desperately) As Brenda Barrett Morgan's attorney, I have every right to review any evidence that's presented before the court.
Scott: Even when it's provided by her own client? Alexis: (To Scott) Have you seen the tape?
Scott: Yes. There's no question of relevance, at least in my opinion, your honor. Judge: Then I will allow it. Scotty walks up to a TV and VCR set up at the front of the court. He pops in the tape and plays it. The tape is apparently from a security camera placed in one of Alcazar's homes. He works at a desk as Brenda saunters up to him swilling beer from a bottle. She appears to be drunk.
Brenda: Where are my keys? Alcazar: Right here. Brenda: Give them to me. Alcazar: You know you get confused when you leave the compound. Remember when you got lost? You were terrified. Brenda: Give me my keys. I'm going out.
Alcazar stands up and takes Brenda's arms.
Alcazar: I will take you anywhere on earth you want to go. Brenda:
I want to go home. Brenda: I've changed my mind. Alcazar: Do you want the people back home to watch you die? Brenda: I'm just going to go look at them. I'm not going to let them see me. Alcazar: Who, Brenda? What's your plan? Are you going to drive all the way back to Port Charles? Brenda: (Yelling) I just want to go sit in the car for a while and look at them! (Luis goes and sits back down at the desk) I just want to say good-bye to them! Alcazar: It's for your own good. Brenda: You can't do this. Alcazar: Yes, I can. Brenda: This is not part of the deal, Luis! I am never, ever going to feel that way about you. You know that. Alcazar: You need to take your pills. (She drinks some beer) Try to be pleasant at dinner.
She picks up a pill bottle from the desk and then grabs a letter opener and lunges at Alcazar with it. He grabs her arm and stops her.
Skye and A.J. smile at the new development. Sonny and Alexis are frozen in place.
Jason puts his fist to his forehead and looks down at the desk.
Scott: (Standing up) Your honor, now you understand why Brenda Morgan was so desperate to get her hands on this tape. (Brenda chews her fingernails as Jax looks up at her) It proves that she tried to kill Alcazar once before. I submit that she finally got it right. Alexis: (Standing up angrily) Objection! I object to this, your honor. The gallery buzzes and the judge pounds the gavel for order. Judge: Order in the court! Jason leans in to Courtney.
Sonny: It's over.
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