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January
23, 2003 Transcript Zander is sitting in his hospital bed whistling to himself out of boredom when Bobbie walks in. Bobbie: Hey, Zander. How are you feeling this morning?
Zander: Well, you're the nurse. You tell me. Bobbie: Well, ok. (She looks in his file) Actually, it looks like the drugs you took are out of your system. Zander: All right. So, why don't we get me out of these restraints.
Bobbie: We're going to need to discuss your treatment, though. (Sits down next to him) You have the option of outpatient counseling. You're going to be able to keep your job and your life, but it's still court-ordered. Zander: I won't deal with Dr. Lewis. Bobbie: Actually, you'll be dealing with Dr. Gail Baldwin. And she's excellent, but she's going to need your assurance that you are not going to self-destruct again. Zander: She ask that of all of her patients? Bobbie: I'm just telling you what the doctor told me. Zander: (Yelling out toward the open door) Hey! You out in the hall -- Bobbie: Zander -- Zander: Why don't you come tell me this yourself? Bobbie: Zander, stop it. Zander: Or don't you have the guts? Cameron walks in. Felicia arrives at the courthouse and heads to the courtroom to talk to Scott before the trial resumes.
Felicia: Have you presented the eyewitness Ida Warren's testimony yet? Scott: Good morning to you, too, Felicia. Felicia: Good morning. Have you? Scott: Ida Warren's testimony is my strongest piece of evidence. I'm going to save it for my big finish, which is going to be very soon.
Felicia: The statement's a fake. I'm almost positive. Scott: "Almost"? You going to waste my time with "almost"? Felicia: You have to withdraw Ida's testimony from the trial. Ric gets out of the shower and walks up to his mirror as he dries his hair with a towel. He is stunned to see a message written in red lipstick on the mirror reading, "They're innocent. I have proof." Felicia: Ida was part of a setup. Scott: Can you prove that?
Felicia: Not yet, but if I have some time I could prove it. Scott: Well, the judge won't grant a postponement. Felicia: If Ida isn't credible, you will need to verify that. Scott: Ida gave a statement. She said that she saw Brenda go after Alcazar. Felicia: But she was going to change her story. Scott: What-if, almost -- that doesn't work for me. Ida's death was ruled a suicide. Her statement stands. I'd be a fool not to use it. Now, if I was you, I'd get yourself a nice seat. Expecting a big crowd. Felicia leaves. At the courthouse, Ned tells Faith that if Scott doesn't bring down Sonny then he will. Zander: I knew he was out there. (Looks up at Cameron) I knew you were out there. So, what, now you got nurses doing your dirty work for you?
Cameron: (Stepping into the room) I need a few minutes with Mr. Smith. Zander: I got nothing to say to you. Bobbie: Excuse me. Bobbie gets up and leaves the room. Cameron: You were admitted to this hospital under my care. You can't leave without my signature. I need to be sure that you're not going to hurt yourself again.
Zander: Why? Because it makes you look bad?
Cameron: Still making excuses, aren't you? Zander: For what? I made my choices, you made yours. You chose Peter, not me. You gave up on having me as a son a long time before the accident. When I needed a father, you were nowhere. When I left home, you didn't come looking for me. So what? You know, I was moving on, getting on with my life, putting things back together. And look who shows up. Cameron: And the best you can do is take an overdose? Zander: I did what I did. I am not blaming you. But you don't give a damn what happens to me, and stop acting like you do. Cameron: Do whatever you want. Zander: What are you standing around for? Cameron walks out. Zander gets angry and pulls at his restraints in frustration. Dara speaks with a bailiff the courtroom doorway. Dara: Ok. Thank you. Ok. The bailiff leaves Dara and as she turns around she finds Sonny facing her. Sonny: Hi. Dara: Hi.
Sonny: Thank you for taking this case on such short notice. Dara: I never thought I would be defending Jason Morgan.
Sonny: Well, you obviously need a high-profile case now that you left the D.A.'s office. Dara: No question about it. From what I've read so far, Jason seems to be innocent. (She smiles) That thought had actually never occurred to me. Sonny: What about Brenda? Dara: Well, she's a little bit more problematic. They should've been tried separately.
Sonny: I know, I know. Can you use that? Can you get the judge to declare a mistrial? Dara: Scott is corrupt, but he's not stupid. Technically, what he's doing is legal and it's to his advantage. The only thing implicating Jason is A.J.'s testimony. If Jason was driving Alcazar's car, then it's a logical assumption that he chloroformed the driver and the guard in the monitor room. Now, that points to premeditation, but there's no evidence that he actually made it to Alcazar's room. Brenda, on the other hand, tried to stab Alcazar in a moment of rage, and there is proof of attack but minimal evidence of premeditation. So Scott's going to try to convince the jury that they acted together, that Jason, the professional killer, did all of his prep work to give his wife -- who hated Alcazar -- the chance to kill him. Now, that makes it premeditation on both their parts. It also makes it conspiracy, and all that adds up to murder one. Sonny: (He sighs worriedly) Ok. Dara: Ok. Let's go. Dara walks into the courtroom. Just then Rick comes up behind Sonny.
Ric: Hey. Did you get my message?
Sonny: I've got nothing to say to you.
Ric: All right, fine, but I got a tip that could help Brenda and Jason. Now, you want to hear it or not? Ric: The message was on my mirror this morning. (Ric whispers as Carly lurks on her way into the courtroom) Someone wrote "They're innocent. I have proof." Sonny: This was on your mirror? Ric: Yeah, in red lipstick. Look, I live upstairs at Kelly's. Anybody could've broken in there, but, obviously, this person has something that could help Brenda and Jason.
Sonny: So they just happen to slip upstairs at Kelly's and write this on your mirror? You, of all the other people involved in this case? Ric: I haven't gone to anybody with this, ok? Now, Taggert was asking me questions and I didn't say anything. Sonny: Oh, is this where I'm supposed to be impressed with your discretion? Sonny walks over to Carly who is waiting by the doors. Ric follows and appeals to Carly.
Ric: Carly, can you help me out? See, if we find out who wrote this message -- Sonny: So, what, are you trying to use my wife against me now? Is that what you're trying to do? Carly: You know what? You have been lying since you came to Port Charles. Sonny's not going to believe you, and I certainly don't. Carly and Sonny walk into the courtroom leaving a very anxious Ric. Zander is clicking away at the call button on his bed. Zander: Hey! I'm supposed to be out of here by now. Hello! Anybody out there? Ned walks in with a take-out food container and a big cup.
Ned: Yeah, I think they can hear you all the way down at the nurses' station. Zander: Well, then where the hell are they? Ned: (Closes the door behind him) Hmm, hospital bureaucracy. Have you had lunch yet? Zander: Haven't even had breakfast. Ned: Double cheese, onion rings, shake. Can your stomach handle that? He lift his arms up in the restraints for Ned to see.
Zander: Stomach isn't the problem.
Ned: That I can help you with. (He unbuckles one restraint) Let's see here. Zander: Thank you. Zander unfastens the other restraint with his free hand. Ned: Mm-hmm. (Hands him the food) Eat up.
Zander: Thanks. Oh. All right. So, let's see. (He takes a hungry bite) Last hamburger before you fire me, right? Ned: First I need to know what happened. Zander: It's family stuff. Ned: You have a family? Zander: Yeah. Ned: So, are you planning to O.D. every time you have a problem with this family? Zander: It was stupid. Ned: So was showing up at the Quartermaine mansion. Zander: Yeah, um, I don't really remember everything. Ned: You were looking for Emily. Zander: Oh, yeah. Ned: Look, Zander, I brought you in on this plan to, you know, go up against Sonny because I thought you could be useful. But not if you pull stunts like this. So if this is too much pressure, or you just don't want to get involved, a simple "no, thanks" would suffice. Zander: I didn't O.D. because of my job or anything you asked me to do. Ned: Then tell me why it happened, or find work elsewhere. Felicia and Wynona are sitting at a table at Kelly's when Cameron walks in the door.
Felicia: You're telling me you had no idea there was a murder involved? Wynona: Why would I even think that? Cameron sits at the counter. Felicia: Coleman asked you to give Ida $100. Wynona: And his phone number, that's it.
Felicia: Do you know if Coleman and Ida were friends or acquaintances? Wynona: As far as I could see, she never heard his name before. Felicia: Why did they use you as the go-between?
Wynona: Well, she was a little old lady. Coleman comes off as pretty intimidating, so he didn't want to panic her, he sent me in first. Felicia: Do you know when and where they met? Wynona: (Leaning in) For all I know, they never did. Look, all I did was pass on a message. (She stands up) By the way, this conversation never happened. Don't call me again. Wynona walks out. Felicia puts her hand to her face in frustration. Cameron walks up to her.
Cameron: Stranger. You all right? Felicia: I really hate being set up. Cameron: By whom? That woman? Felicia: Yeah. Yeah, she's part of it. Cameron: I'm not following you. (Sits down) Felicia: You know, I'm not really following it myself. I just want to find the truth. The trial continues. Scotty plays the tape Gia made for the jury. Ida: Brenda Barrett killed Luis Alcazar. See, that's all she wrote. Scotty turns off the tape.
Scott: Those were the last words Ida Warren spoke. Afraid, tired of living on the run, she committed suicide. Frightened of what might happen to -- Dara: Objection. Your honor, Mr. Baldwin can't know her state of mind. Judge: Sustained. Scott: We can only imagine what it was like for Ida living that way in that kind of fear. Dara: Supposition, your honor. Judge: Find another way, Mr. Baldwin. Scott: Ida said that she saw Brenda Morgan go after Alcazar. We know Alcazar was thrown off the balcony that night. Had Ida lived, could she have told us -- Dara: Your honor, please. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, make your point, please. Scott: Could she have told us that she saw Jason Morgan throw Alcazar off the balcony? The gallery murmurs. Dara: Your honor, that is pure speculation. The eyewitness never placed -- Judge: (Pounds gavel) Order in the court! Scott: Well, maybe Ida can't, but I can. Here we go. Dara: I have not seen this evidence, sir. Scott: Her office was notified this morning. Dara: I just took the case last night. Judge: I will allow it. Scott: In this bag is a hair follicle that identically matches that of the defendant Jason Morgan. It was found on the balcony of the night in question. I submit that Mr. Morgan threw Mr. Alcazar to his death. The gallery murmurs. Judge: (Pounds gavel) Order in the court! Order in the court! (Pounds gavel as the courtroom continues to murmur) Order in the court! You will be dismissed if I don't have order in the court! Dara walks up to Jason and Brenda. Dara: Were you on the terrace?
Jason: (Reluctantly) Yes. Dara: When? Jason: Days before. Dara: Why? Jason: I was just checking the place out.
Dara: You mean, casing the joint. Brenda: Ok, is she on our side? Dara: Did it occur to you to mention this to anyone else? Is there anything else I should know before I put you on that witness stand?
Jason: Don't. Don't put me on the stand. (Cameron switches to Sonny, Carly and Courtney sitting behind Jason and Brenda) Courtney: This is really bad, isn't it? Sonny: Jason was in Alcazar's suite days before the murder. He can't say so because then he'd have to explain what he w doing there. And he'd also have to explain why he was driving Alcazar's limo. Carly: Doesn't matter, ok? Jason's innocent. Brenda probably is, too. It's all going to work out. Judge: (Pounds gavel) Order in the court! Taggert walks in. Scott: The prosecution rests. Judge: Thank you, Mr. Baldwin. Ms. Jensen, you may proceed.
Dara: (Standing up) Yes, your honor, I'd like to call lt. Marcus Taggert. Taggert walks up to the witness stand and raises his hand. Bailiff: State your name. Taggert: Marcus Taggert. (Camera switches to A.J. and Edward)
Edward: I hope you're enjoying this. A.J.: I am. A lot. Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Taggert: Yes, I do. (Sits down) Judge: You may proceed. Dara: Is there a tape showing another possible suspect entering the Port Charles hotel on the night of the murder?
Taggert: Yes.
Dara: Who is that suspect? Taggert: Jasper Jacks. Scott: Your honor, Jacks has been cleared as a suspect Judge: Sustained. Dara: Are you aware of any other evidence that the D.A. may be withholding from this jury? Taggert: It's my job to collect the evidence, not present it. Dara: And have you collected any evidence relevant to this case? Taggert: (His eyes flash around the courtroom before he answers) Yes. Dara: And has the D.A. presented all of that evidence to this jury? Scott: Relevance, your honor. Judge: Move it along, Ms. Jensen. Dara: Has Scott Baldwin suppressed any evidence that could possibly help my clients? Scott: (Standing up) Objection, your honor. I'm not on trial here. Lt. Taggert's not on trial here. Judge: Sustained.
Scott: I will not have my department maligned because the Morgans cannot keep an attorney. What are you, attorney number three? Brenda starts to stand up. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, that's enough. Dara: No more questions, your honor. Brenda walks up behind Dara. Judge: Thank you. Brenda: (Whispers to Dara) I'm going to testify. Dara: Brenda - Brenda walks up to the Judge. Brenda: Your honor, I would like to testify if that's ok -- Judge: Ms. Jensen, your client is out of order. A bailiff takes Brenda's arm.
Brenda: Because I would like to tell my side of the story. (Two bailiffs try to bring her back to her chair and she resists) No, it's fine. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, do you object? Brenda: Ok, I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The gallery murmurs. Zander takes a drink of his shake. Zander: My father showed up. I didn't expect to see him.
Ned: So, you took an overdose? Zander: It was a mistake. Ned: Is your father still around? Zander: Yep. But we're trying to stay out of each other's way. Ned: Zander, I need people around me who I can count on. Zander: It won't happen again, but I understand if you don't believe that. Ned: So, what's your plan? Zander: Well, I can do live-in rehab out of town, or I can do outpatient counseling with Dr. Baldwin. Ned: She's very good. Zander: That's what I hear. If I do counseling, I can still work for you, if I have another chance. But if I don't, there's no hard feelings. Ned: We'll take it day to day. Zander: Really? Ned: The first session you miss with Dr. Baldwin, you're out of here. And another episode like this? Forget about it. Ned gets up and walks to the door. Zander: Uh -- Ned, there's something else I got to tell you. (Ned turns around) I came on to Faith. Ned: (He sighs) What happened? Zander: Uh, well, she turned me down, and she paid me to trash Carly's new club, and I wasn't supposed to tell you. Ned: So you went behind my back? Zander: Yeah. Won't happen again. Ned: I'm going to let it go this time, but no more second chances. Zander: You won't be sorry. Ned walks out.
Felicia: I'm trying to prove that Ida was a paid witness from the very start. I realized it a long time ago, but I just haven't been able to prove it. And that woman, Wynona, she was the go-between. She' first real, solid lead. Ida's testimony is Scott Baldwin's best piece of evidence, and I feel a little responsible because he wouldn't have it if it wasn't for me. Cameron: And who would've paid off the witness? Felicia: Well, I know that A.J. Quartermaine has been involved, but he's been spending a lot of time with that guy Coleman, and it just doesn't add up. Cameron: Does Alexis know about any of this? Felicia: The last I heard from Alexis, I got a message from her saying that she was going to resign from the case and take her daughter to Johns Hopkins. Cameron: Yeah, Ned told me. I was a little surprised that she'd walk out on clients. Felicia: Well, it's her daughter, and she's sick. I understand that. That's the priority. Cameron: Do you have any idea what Coleman could expect to get out of this?
Felicia: Well, that's another thing that just doesn't add up. I mean, Jason and Brenda get convicted. What is it that Coleman gets?
Brenda stands at the witness stand. Bailiff: State your name. Brenda: I'm Brenda Barrett Morgan. (Camera switches to Carly, Sonny and Courtney) Courtney: Why is it so bad if Brenda testifies? Sonny: Because Baldwin's going to go after her in cross-examination and she's going to have to hold it together. Carly: Yeah, which isn't her best event. Faith's cell phone rings. She turns off the phone and walks out of the courtroom. (Camera switches to Dara) Judge: You may proceed.
Dara: Would you tell us what happened on the night in question?
Brenda: Yes. Um -- the Quartermaines had a party for me, and Luis showed up. Luis -- Luis Alcazar showed up. He -- he upset me. And -- so we left the party, and later on that night I went to his hotel room and I told him that he should leave town. He grabbed me. He forced himself on me. He started kissing me and -- uh -- so I pulled away from him and I started running. And I bumped into this room service cart and a knife fell off, so I grabbed it. And I -- I did, um, go after him. Dara: Did you plan to kill him? Brenda: No, I didn't. Dara: Did you kill Luis Alcazar? Brenda: No, I didn't. I -- I -- I was upset, and I wanted to scare him. So I did go after him with the knife. But he grabbed my hand, and when I pulled away, I cut his hand. And he grabbed me again, and he threw me down on the ground. And I got up, I threw the knife down, and I ran out of the room. Dara: Was Jason Morgan in the room? Brenda: No. Dara: Was Luis Alcazar in the room when you ran out? Brenda: Yes, he was. Dara: Thank you, Mrs. Morgan. No more questions. Judge: Thank you. Mr. Baldwin, do you wish to cross-examine? Scott: You bet I do. Judge: Proceed.
Faith meets Ned down on the docks. Faith: So, what's the deal? Things were just getting interesting at the trial. Ned: You went behind my back. I can't trust you. Our deal is off as of now.
Scott: When was the first time you saw your husband in the hotel the night Alcazar was murdered? Brenda: In the hall. Scott: No, not where, when? Was it after you stabbed Alcazar? Brenda: Ok, after I left the room, he came up behind me. Scott: So Jason just happened to be strolling down the hallway at the Port Charles hotel? Brenda: He was there. Scott: And you're sure he came up from behind you? Brenda: Yes. Scott: Well, let me ask, was it the left side, the ride side? Brenda: I don't understand. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, move on, please. Scott: Do you have any idea where Jason was before you saw him? Brenda: I don't know. I think he was in the stairwell. Yeah, he was in the stairwell. Scott: But you're not sure, are you? Brenda: No, I'm not sure. Scott: He could've been anywhere, right? Brenda: I suppose. Scott: He could've been downstairs having a cup of coffee and a doughnut. Brenda: I don't know. Scott: Or he could've been upstairs throwing Alcazar off the balcony. Brenda: No, he absolutely -- Dara: (Stands up) Objection. Brenda: Was not doing that. Judge: Sustained, Mr. Baldwin. Scott: We already know that your husband drove Alcazar to the hotel. He chloroformed the driver and then he chloroformed the security guard that was watching the monitors. He wanted to make sure that nobody saw anything happen on the 14th floor. Is that right? Brenda: No. Scott: So, wait -- so wait a minute. So you're saying something did happen? Brenda: No. Dara: He's badgering the witness, your honor. Judge: Mr. Baldwin, that's enough. Scott: Well, Jason was hiding in the suite when you came back to stab Alcazar, wasn't he? Brenda: No. Scott: Are you sure? Brenda: Yes, I'm positive. Scott: But you testified under oath that you didn't know where your husband was. Is that correct? Brenda: Yes, but I know that he wasn't killing anybody -- Scott: So he could've been hiding in the suite when you came back in? Brenda: No! Scott: Right? Brenda: No. Scott: But Jason saw you stab Alcazar.
Brenda: No, because I just said that I -- Scott: But you wanted to kill -- did you want to kill Alcazar? Brenda: No, I did not. I just -- I wanted -- Scott: And you needed help to do it, and your husband helped you. He helped -- he threw Alcazar over the balcony -- Brenda: No. Scott: Then he helped you escape, didn't he? Brenda: No. Scott: Then tell us what happened. Who else was in the suite? Who else could've pushed Alcazar off the balcony? (Camera switches to Ric) Ric's cell phone rings. He quickly pulls it out of his breast pocket and walks out the door. Ric: Hello? Woman: It's me. Ric: Who's calling?
Woman: I left you a message. Ric: What do you want? Woman: Meet me on the Elm Street pier in half an hour. I'll tell you what really happened to Luis Alcazar. (Camera switches back to the courtroom)
Brenda: Jason didn't kill anyone. I just told you he wasn't even in the room. Scott: You don't know where he was. Brenda: He didn't even have enough time to kill anybody.
Scott: How do you know? Brenda: I ran out of the room -- Scott: How do you know --
Brenda: He came up behind -- Scott: Unless you killed him yourself?
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