Chapter 14 - Janet Says What She Saw
Janet walked to witness stand in navy cardigan.
No makeup.
Hands folded.
She told simple.
Argument.
Thud.
Emily bottom stairs.
Mouthed no.
Home cast changed.
Silver packet.
“Moisture control.”
Fever.
Purple fingers.
Emily asking doctor.
Daniel refusing.
No embellishment.
Then prosecutor asked:
“Did you ever see Daniel place packet inside cast?”
“No.”
“Did you ever see him intentionally poison Emily?”
“No.”
“Then why did you call 911?”
“Because she was dying.”
Simple.
Defense cross.
“You remained employed after you believed Daniel pushed Emily.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I needed job.”
“So money influenced you.”
“Yes.”
“You disliked him.”
“After.”
“You did not report alleged shove.”
“No.”
“You did not know cast technique.”
“No.”
“You are not nurse.”
“No.”
“Silver packet could have been any household item.”
“Yes.”
“Did Emily ever tell you she wanted Daniel to fix cast?”
“No.”
“Did she tell you she didn't?”
“Not before.”
Then:
“You saw Daniel give medications.”
“Yes.”
“Could be caring.”
“Could.”
Janet would not overreach.
Then 911 call played.
Janet:
“She won't wake up right. Her hand is purple.”
Dispatcher:
“Is she breathing?”
“Yes.”
Daniel in background:
“Tell them she fainted. She has flu.”
Janet:
“No, her arm smells wrong.”
Daniel:
“Janet, hang up.”
Then crash.
“Don’t touch my phone.”
Dispatcher:
“Ma’am, stay on line.”
This established resistance.
Then defense:
“He ultimately did not stop ambulance.”
Police already.
True.
Then Lauren.
Texts not hers.
Financial.
But judge limited some motive.
Life insurance.
Attorney appointment.
Then Allison Gray.
She testified Emily told her about shove before infection.
Email.
Divorce plans.
Beneficiary change.
Defense:
“Your client wanted divorce. You benefit from portraying husband bad.”
She laughed? Lawyers don't. “My fees are same.”
Then:
“Could Emily have planned accusation to gain advantage?”
“She emailed before cast replacement.”
Strong.
Then financial expert.
Only enough to show Daniel faced large losses and beneficiary status.
No “greed proves murder.”
Then company safety officer.
Compound R warnings.
Daniel training.
Sign-out.
Two packets.
No project requiring.
Defense:
“Employees sometimes sign for supplies and distribute.”
“Yes.”
“Could one packet remain in work vehicle and transfer?”
“Possible.”
“Do you know how it entered cast?”
“No.”
Then forensic manufacturer.
Match lot, not unique serial.
Then prepaid phone.
Aaron Pike.
He admitted giving phone.
Network.
Judge had previously found bond violation, but jury still needed proof of witness intimidation. Content.
Defense suggested someone else.
No direct seizure of phone because it was discarded.
Jury might acquit that count.
Then prosecution rested.
I thought case strong.
Not certain.
Then defense called its expert.
Dr. Malcolm Reed, orthopedic consultant.
He said home cast application was poor but infection can occur without poison.
Compound R could have contaminated from external source.
Purple fingers can arise from swelling under improperly fitted cast.
No need deliberate chemical to explain.
He was right.
Then toxicology defense:
Residue quantity uncertain.
Could not prove dose.
Could not prove systemic poisoning.
Then mental health expert:
Emily’s health anxiety could affect memory/perception but no evidence psychosis.
He refused to call her liar.
Daniel’s defense was becoming narrower.
Not that Emily imagined sickness.
That he made foolish home cast, contamination accidental, later panic caused terrible decisions.
Recklessness.
May you like
Not attempted murder.
Then Daniel took stand.
