THIRTY-FIVE
The last day of the trial was a bright and sunny day. On one side
of the courtroom sat the McCoy’s confident that they were victorious and on the
other side were the Spencers, hoping for the best. The judge was setting at her
bench, and the jurors were seated, ready for the closing arguments, their minds
still not made up on the fate of Luke and Laura Spencer.
"Miss. Jensen please make your closing arguments," Judge
Kingston nodded.
Dara stood up in front of the jury, clearing her throat. She was
hoping that this time she’ll have victory. "Ladies and gentlemen of the
jury! We have here a case that is black and white. On one side we have my clients,
the McCoy’s. Simple country folk that had lost their little boy fourteen years
ago. Then we have the experienced Spencers, who are pros at dodging the law.
The Spencers came and snatched the McCoy’s son from their home for no good
reason except for Mrs. Spencer’s desire to replace the child she had abandoned,
sending the McCoy’s into a world void of their pride and joy. Not even their
little girl could fill the void left by the loss of their little boy. I beg of
you ladies and gentlemen. Show the Spencers that they can’t dodge the law time
and again. Let the law catch up with them and put them in jail will they
belong. The McCoy’s will never get those years lost with their son back, but
they can at least have justice," Dara went back to her seat and Alexis
takes her place.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. This case not at all black and white
as Miss. Jensen would have you believe. Indeed the Spencer’s did take Lucas
McCoy. But their intentions were pure and they rescued the boy from an abusive
home. Think of all the testimony you heard. From Earl Hatfield, Luke and Laura
Spencer, Nikolas Cassadine and Lucky Spencer, aka Lucas McCoy himself. Think of
all the evidence showing how cruel the McCoys really are. Have they given you
any evidence saying otherwise? I think not. It’s evident to me, and hopefully
to you that if the Spencers had left Lucas in that household, the boy would not
be the healthy, happy, expectant father you see before you today. Please use
your concious and what you know is right when making your decision. Thank
you," Alexis returned to her seat.
"What do you think?" Luke whispered to his lawyer.
"I don’t know. It can go either way. But I think Lucky’s
testimony did a world of good."
*
Two hours later, the jury had reached a verdict.
"Mr. Hatfield, Luke and Laura Spencer. Please stand and face
the jury," The judge directed.
"Here we go," Luke whispered to his wife, tightly
holding her hand.
"Luke if we go to jail I just want you to know I don’t regret
a minute of being Lucky’s mother. I’d do it all over again," Laura
whispered.
"Same here Angel. Same here."
"Head juror, read your verdict," The judge directed.
"We the jury find the defendents, Earl Hatfield and Luke and
Laura Spencer guilty of kidnapping." The head juror read.
Laura held Luke’s hand tighter, thinking her life as she knew it
was over. Looking over at her family, she couldn’t help but think how she
probably won’t be there for the birth of her grandchildren, nor would she get
to see Lulu grow up.
"What sentence do you recommend?" Judge Kingston asked.
"Twenty years probation and ten years community
service," The head juror read.
Laura almost collapsed with relief. No jail time. She was going to
get to be with her family after all.
The judge nodded. "Case dismissed!"
"We did it Angel! We’re still free!" Luke hugged his
wife.
"Lucky," Laura went to her children and embraced them.
"This isn’t over yet I’m afraid," Earl cleared his
throat.
"Well I say bring it on!" Luke laughed.
"I think we better head back to Wyndemere. Beth is looking a
bit pale," Nikolas suggested, wrapping a warm arm around his fiancee’s
shoulders.
"Spencer, you may be getting away with stealing our son, but
you won’t keep Laura," Cal McCoy and his wife walked up, a angry frown
marring their faces.
"Not only will we get to keep Laura, but you will pay for
what you did to my son. We know it was you landing our son in the hospital
weeks ago," Luke growled. "I haven’t forgotten nor have I
forgiven," Luke crossed his arms, stepping in front of Lucky.
"I had nothing to do with that," Calvin growled.
"Of course you did. We just don’t have any proof. Yet,"
Taggert appeared behind the man. "But we are working on it and we’re
getting closer to our suspect. It’s only a matter of time."
"What is this? Now you’re harrassing us?!" Paula pushed aside her
husband. "Isn’t the fact that you’ve gotten away with stealing our son
enough? Now you want to take our freedom away too?" To everyone’s
surprise, Paula bursted into tears.
It was Lucky who laughed. "Now I know you’re getting
desperate. Get out of here and leave my family alone."
"This isn’t over," Calvin growled, leading his wife out
of the court house.`
"That’s the only honest statement he’s made since this whole
thing started," Earl shook his head.
"Well he doesn’t scare me," Luke snorted. "Whatever
it is he has planned, I say bring it on."