The news stations that
day were flooded with footage of Fairview’s very own Jennifer Michaels and her
desperate attempt to regain life after murder. The public knew about the murder
of Adrian Grey, but they knew it happened at the hands of a woman who a year
earlier had escaped prison and was named Lisa Lynne Simpson. Today was the day
that Jennifer Michaels took the stand for her prison escape, everybody knew why
she was there and the terrible act she had committed. But what they didn’t know
would surprise everyone Jennifer Michaels had ever come across…
Everyone was at the courthouse. The
first witness was none other than Allison Grey, who witnessed her mother’s
death. “…And what did you see when you first came into the room?” asked the
cross examiner. Allison sat straight upon the bench. “I saw Jennifer Michaels
standing above my mother, her hands bloody and a letter opener in her stomach!”
Allison said this while pointing to Jennifer. There was the normal chatter
among the court room when this was said. Many in disbelief and most saying how
they knew she was guilty. When Bob stood, the room seemed to quiet down. He
called his witness… the room felt as if the air had been taken from it with all
the gasps and confusion. Nobody knew why Julies Fiancé Jordan was being brought
up for questioning, nobody except for Jennifer.
“Let me remind the jury why we are here
today…Jennifer Michaels has already been tried in the murder of Adrian Grey…”
Bob paced back and forth while he spoke. “…And in America she cannot be tried
twice for the same crime. No we are here today to set the story straight and
let everyone talk…” Bob stopped and looked over at Jordan. He hesitated his
next sentence and looked at Julie, who had a look of worry and confusion
painted on her face. Then he looked over to Jennifer who had the same look. Bob
was at a pause till the judge cleared her throat, making him continue. “Mr.
Bailey… Please tell the court why I've called you up here today…” Bob looked at
Jordan with an apologetic look. Jordan looked into the crowd and at Julie.
“Lis… I mean, Jennifer and I were… romantic during the time all of this
happened…” The room gasped again and Julie stood up and walked out. Jordan
jumped up and ran after her causing everyone to talk and the judge called order
to the room.
Out in the hall Jordan grabbed onto
Julie’s shoulder. “Julie, I’m sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't know you
and I didn't want this hurting us.” Julie looked him in the eyes. “Did you have
anything to do with this woman’s death?” Julie asked. Jordan got upset at this
question. “Julie by the time this happened Jennifer and I were taking a second
chance. And I wanted her to live with me not go to prison.” Julie looked up at
him. “Second chance?” she asked. “At Roy’s going away party, I saw my old
college buddy Steve and I saw Jennifer and I realized I didn't want you
knowing…” Jordan was cut off when the doors opened. Bob cracked it enough to
peek his head out. “Jordan the judge is talking contempt if you don’t come back
in.” Jordan looked at Julie and turned to follow Bob.
The time passed and the day was slowly
drifting away as more things began to unravel. The last person to take the
stand was Jennifer herself. She spent her time telling the Jury that Adrian’s
death was incidental and she planned her escape around the fact that it was an
accident and she was wrongfully sentenced. Still there was a piece of the
puzzle missing. And it was time for Jennifer’s sentence. When the jury returned
to the room they found Jennifer guilty of her original crime, along with her
breakout from prison. Jennifer stood up and began to cry as the bailiff cuffed
her and started walking her out of the court room.
“WAIT!” shouted someone from the back
of the room. Everyone turned to see Jennifer’s husband Steve standing in the
doorway. The bailiff stopped, as well as Jennifer. Steve walked toward the
judge. “Jennifer Michaels is innocent…” The judge stood and looked at him.
“This case is closed sir, she was found guilty.” Steve looked at Jennifer and
with his mouth he formed the words “I’m sorry” Steve looked back at the judge.
“Your honor… I killed Adrian Gray…”
“The
case of Jennifer Michaels was a real simple one if you just look back it all
makes sense… Jordan deposits money
into a bank account before handing a note to the teller… Today is the day Jennifer hears the verdict that could change her
life… Jennifer just broke out of prison, leaving behind her cell mate and
running toward the car that took her away… But
as we all know, around every corner there are surprises…
The court house was quiet and still. All eyes
were on Steve. The judge sat back down. “And may I ask your name sir?” The judge
said looking over her glasses. “I am Steve Michaels, Jenn’s Husband.” Steve
replied. The judge looked around the room and over at the bailiff. “Everyone
get back in your seats. Apparently this case isn't over.” After the judge said
this, Jennifer walked back to Bob. And the judge gestured with her head at
Steve to approach the bench. Steve went on to tell the court that he was an
intern at the hospital that Adrian Gray was brought to. “…I always heard Jordan
complaining about the way Jennifer was being treated by Adrian, and I already
had a huge crush on her, so much that I broke up with my wife. And when Adrian
came in, I… The room was silent and the look on everyone’s face was
anticipating what Steve was going to say next. “…I pulled her life support plug
and watched her slip away.” The room exploded with chatter and a voice hollered
over the crowd. “Murderer!” Allison Gray cried as the judge ordered silence.
The judge slammed her gavel. “Mr.
Michaels, what you did was murder and you are going to jail for it.” Bob stood
up quickly “But I’m not getting why this all happened, why was Adrian so bent
and determined to bring Mrs. Michaels down.” Jennifer stood up. “I think I can
help end all of this.” Jennifer turned to Allison who was still standing.
“First…I want to say how sorry I am. And explain.”
Lisa Lynne was having an affair on
her husband Stefan. She planned on running away, but instead found out she was
pregnant. She came clean to Stefan and he promised he would stay with her if she
got rid of the baby and promised to never see Jordan again. Soon after, Hunter
was born. Many years after she got a job offer in Fairview. While driving to
their new home her husband was killed in a car accident. Jennifer continued her
plains of working for Adrian. Before that night, Jennifer found Allison’s Birth
certificate in the filing cabinet. Allison was the baby Jennifer gave up.
Worried she would steal her, Adrian planned to get rid of Jennifer. Steve was a
regular visitor for Jennifer and they eventually formed a bond. In prison
Jennifer talked with a man about Wisteria Lane. He told her he used to live
there and how beautiful it was. That man was Fairview’s very own strangler
Eddie Orlofsky. The night Jennifer broke free; she jumped into a car waiting
for her. Steve was behind the wheel. “…So where are we heading?” Steve asked.
Jennifer looked in the back seat at Hunter, and then turned around again.
“Wisteria Lane…” Jennifer said as they sped off into the night.
The room was quiet and Allison was
visibly upset, as well as Jennifer who felt so ashamed, all she could do was
stare at the floor. The judge told Jennifer she could return to her seat. “…The
Jury will now make their decision.” The Jury took a mere 25 minutes to deliver
a verdict. When they all came back out, they sat down and the judge gathered
the room’s attention once more. “We the Jury find the Defendant, Jennifer
Michaels…” Jennifer looked over to Steve as she squeezed Bob’s hand. “…Innocent
of all charges.” Jennifer jumped up and hugged Bob. The Jury did however find
Steve Michaels Guilty for the murder of Adrian Gray. Jennifer watched as Steve
was taken away. As mad as she was, she couldn't help but smile at her freedom.
Later that evening Jennifer pulled the
box that she had hidden for so long, out from the garage cupboard. She took a
deep breath and opened it. Inside was the very letter opener that made that
night so memorable. Jennifer pulled it out and looked at the dry blood on the
tip. Placing it back into the box, Jennifer took it outside and threw it in the
trash. Looking into the sky she smiled.
