Chapter 13 - The Trial Starts
Jury selection took four days.
The case had news coverage because of “poisoned cast.”
Many potential jurors had heard.
The judge repeatedly said:
“This is not a referendum on a bad marriage.”
Correct.
Charges:
Attempted murder.
Aggravated assault.
Administering harmful substance.
Witness intimidation from prepaid phone.
Interference with medical care.
Maybe fewer.
The prosecution did not include financial transfer charges, still separate civil/possible fraud case, to avoid confusion.
First witness:
Paramedic.
Emily critically ill.
Daniel minimized.
Housekeeper called.
Then Marcus.
He described purple fingers.
Daniel’s resistance.
Grab.
Lunge.
Run.
Defense:
“You tackled my client.”
“Yes.”
“Before police.”
“Yes.”
“Could he run because you assaulted him?”
“I restrained him after he grabbed physician and tried interfere with emergency care.”
Clear.
Then me.
Catherine Moore:
“What did you see?”
I described.
No drama.
“Did Emily have septic shock?”
“Yes.”
“Could she die?”
“Yes.”
“Was cast removal medically necessary?”
“Yes.”
“Did Daniel object?”
“Yes.”
“What words?”
“Don’t you dare cut that cast off.”
Then:
“What happened when foreign packet appeared?”
“He attempted to leave.”
“What did he say?”
“Put it back. You have no idea what you're looking at.”
Then medical.
Could cast infection occur without criminal act?
“Yes.”
Could poor hygiene?
“Yes.”
Could chemical irritant worsen?
“Yes.”
Could I say Daniel put it?
“No.”
Could I say intent?
“No.”
Then defense.
Stephen Cole stood.
“Dr. Morgan, you formed suspicion before toxicology.”
“Yes.”
“You saw husband object.”
“Yes.”
“Some family members panic around procedures.”
“Yes.”
“You interpreted fear as guilt.”
“No. I interpreted it as a reason to ask why. Guilt is not medical diagnosis.”
Then:
“Emily had severe infection.”
“Yes.”
“Infection itself can create odor and tissue injury.”
“Yes.”
“So packet not necessary to explain sepsis.”
“Correct.”
That helped defense.
Then:
“Could industrial residue contaminate cast accidentally from home environment?”
“Possible.”
“Could patient with anxiety exaggerate pain?”
“Anyone can exaggerate.”
“Emily had anxiety.”
“I learned later.”
“Did you know in ER?”
“No.”
“Would it change purple fingers?”
“No.”
Then:
“Did Daniel bring her hospital?”
“No. Housekeeper called ambulance.”
“He came.”
“Yes.”
“If he wanted her dead, why come?”
“I cannot answer his intent.”
Good.
Then:
“Would antibiotics alone have been enough if you had not opened cast?”
“No.”
“How know?”
“Source control was required. Her circulation was compromised.”
Then:
“Did Daniel know that?”
“I cannot know.”
Good.
I stepped down.
Next Dr. Lang.
Surgery.
Packet.
Nerve.
No gore.
Then toxicologist.
Compound R.
No medical role.
Local tissue injury.
Matching batch.
Defense attacked uncertainty.
Then Dr. Lowell.
Original blue short cast.
No home recast.
No telehealth.
Then Dr. Barnes primary care.
Email telling urgent evaluation for numb/discolored fingers/fever.
Daniel opened.
Then clinic voicemail.
Emily’s voice:
“My fingers are getting numb and I have fever…”
That was devastating.
Then nurse callback note.
Husband says resolved.
No visit.
The jury heard a sick woman ask for care and husband cancel.
Then defense said maybe she told him.
No recording.
May you like
Then Janet.
The trial turned.
