Paula Borrows

One might say this was a rare instance of Proctor doing anything by the book. The direct examination of the Commonwealth's own witness had stained this already splashy trial. So what damage could the defense do? The following morning, Trooper Proctor returned with his tail between his legs for a fiery cross-examination with Alan Jackson.

One might say this was a rare instance of Proctor doing anything by the book. The direct examination of the Commonwealth's own witness had stained this already splashy trial. So what damage could the defense do? The following morning, Trooper Proctor returned with his tail between his legs for a fiery cross-examination with Alan Jackson.

Reporter Christina Rex, who was in the courtroom that day, remembers it as humiliating.

Reporter Christina Rex, who was in the courtroom that day, remembers it as humiliating.

And Rich Schoenstein says for the legal community, this cross was the dream scenario.

And Rich Schoenstein says for the legal community, this cross was the dream scenario.

Alan Jackson dove in headfirst by bringing up the text exchanged between Proctor and his longtime friends.

Alan Jackson dove in headfirst by bringing up the text exchanged between Proctor and his longtime friends.

Jackson then revealed that Proctor had arrived at the conclusion that the Alberts couldn't have been involved without taking one seemingly crucial step to determine that as a fact.

Jackson then revealed that Proctor had arrived at the conclusion that the Alberts couldn't have been involved without taking one seemingly crucial step to determine that as a fact.

As it turns out, there was, in fact, a time where Proctor had yet to rule out the prospect that a fight could have led to John's untimely death. But on top of that, despite receiving information from medical personnel that a fight wasn't out of the question, Proctor continued to double down on his theory that Karen deliberately hit John with her car.

As it turns out, there was, in fact, a time where Proctor had yet to rule out the prospect that a fight could have led to John's untimely death. But on top of that, despite receiving information from medical personnel that a fight wasn't out of the question, Proctor continued to double down on his theory that Karen deliberately hit John with her car.

Jackson was curious how Proctor arrived at such a rash conclusion.

Jackson was curious how Proctor arrived at such a rash conclusion.

Yes. Jackson proceeded to pull at some of the pettier comments exchanged between Proctor and his colleagues.

Yes. Jackson proceeded to pull at some of the pettier comments exchanged between Proctor and his colleagues.

Then Jackson really began to rub Proctor's nose in it.

Then Jackson really began to rub Proctor's nose in it.

For hours, they painstakingly revisited every text brought forward the day before, illuminating every inappropriate remark from commenting on Karen's medical condition to her appearance. And though Proctor previously stated his regret, Jackson wasn't buying any of it.

For hours, they painstakingly revisited every text brought forward the day before, illuminating every inappropriate remark from commenting on Karen's medical condition to her appearance. And though Proctor previously stated his regret, Jackson wasn't buying any of it.