Trials

"If this court outbursts one more time, I will have everyone in the public seats removed!" Judge Roberts understood the outbursts. But they were inappropriate and he would not tolerate his courtroom turning into chaos. "Mr. Owens, please continue your questioning." "Thank you, your Honor.," Jon replied. "Mr. McLean, after he removed your jeans, what happened?"

"God..." the court's outburst had completely unnerved him. Tears were flowing freely from his eyes now and it was difficult to speak. "He... started, he kissed my neck, and then my face... he um, grabbed my hands. He put the knife at my throat and went to move them. I let him. He lifted my arms up over my head and... he made me put my hands behind my head. He... he pushed down on them so they went around my neck. I wanted to scream - it hurt so bad - but I... didn't want to get cut again." AJ broke himself off and groped for his glass of water. He downed the other half.

"More water for the witness, please," the Judge mumbled.

"Please, continue, Mr. McLean."

"He kept the knife at my throat. I knew... I knew what he was going to do to me, I heard him... strip behind me," AJ closed his eyes and shook his head. He couldn't look Jon in the eyes, or at the crowd, and say it. "One of his hands, the one not on the knife... he moved it down... and started... touching me," AJ's hand shot to his temple. A powerful headache was coming on. He hated crying. His eyes opened but his gaze did not travel up towards anyone. Just the floor. Tell the floor.

"Was he touching your groin?"

"Yes... he um... he started to stroke it."

"Did he do anything else?"

"I'm sorry, I need a minute," AJ HAD to take a break. He reached forward to the replenished water and drank the entire thing this time. He could feel a fine sheen of sweat all over his body. Finally, he took in a long breath and looked Jon in the eyes. "His head came around and he started to suck on my ear. I wanted to throw up. I could feel him move behind me," AJ looked down again and swallowed the lump in his throat. He brought the microphone closer to his mouth because he could barely even think it let alone speak it. "He entered me from behind. He raped me... he pushed the knife hard against my throat and just..." AJ looked up at Jon, "I can't do this anymore," he shook his head. Jon looked immediately to Judge Roberts.

The sound of the Judge's gavel silenced the room and caused AJ to jump. "This court will recess for fifteen minutes. Mr. Owens, please speak with your client. If he is not ready in fifteen we will recess until tomorrow."

"Thank you, your Honor."

Jonathan shot AJ a look when he tried to stand to leave. "Everyone else has to go outside. This is a bit more private. Do you need until tomorrow?" Jon asked, deeply concerned.

"I'm almost finished, aren't I?" AJ sniffled. He'd stopped with the crying but his nose was still running.

"Well, we could finish my half today. I'll ask Roberts and the Defense if we can hold cross until we rest. That'll probably be tomorrow." Jon suggested, handing AJ a tissue.

"I hate being called Mister," AJ grumbled. His hands were still shaking but he was calming down.

"I'll see what I can do. Would it make you feel better if I called you 'Alex' on the stand?"

"Unbelievably."

"Let me go talk to Roberts. He's a good guy, really. You alright with what I proposed? Finish with me and get some rest. Talk with Dr. Lewis. Do something. You had me a little scared you were going to have one of those flashbacks. Please don't do that, man. You'll give this old man a heart attack, okay?" Jon placed a hand on AJ's shoulder, and his client - his friend - nodded. "You okay with waiting alone?"

"Yeah. I need a minute anyway," AJ patted Jon on the back as he walked away. "I'm gonna get through this..." AJ whispered, to himself.

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