Valerie Bauerlein

These proceedings are called an immunity hearing.

If the judge says an immunity should apply, Jennifer's lawsuit would be over.

And...

Boyd and Williams are forever shielded from criminal prosecution.

On the other hand, if the judge says immunity does not apply, Jennifer's civil case can continue, and Boyd and Williams could face criminal charges for the killing of Scott Spivey.

The stakes couldn't be higher.

I'm Valerie Borlein, and this is Camp Swamp Road, a series from The Journal.

Coming up, Episode 6.

Your side, their side, and the truth.

The courtroom is filled with observers, friends and family on both sides, curious members of the public, and there's lots of media, both local and national.

To me, this sure feels like a trial, but there's no jury.

It's just a hearing in Jennifer's civil suit.

The only person whose opinion matters here is Judge Eugene C. Bubba-Griffith.

The judge allowed me and the other reporters to sit in the jury box.

From here, I can see everything.

To my left is the judge.

Judge Griffith starts by letting each side make opening arguments.

Attorney Morgan Martin kicks things off for the defense.

That's Boyd and William's side.

Martin argues that, in the minutes before he died, Scott Spivey was a public danger.