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.As a person with dissociative identity disorder, Sharon is not in contact with her alter personality and has no cognitive control over what she does.In essence, Sharon Taggart was not present when a crime was committed.For her part, Jan adamantly believes that she hasn't done anything wrong.""Jan doesn't believe shooting people is wrong?""She didn't shoot anyone.She shot in the general direction, and if the drivers overreacted to that, she feels absolutely no responsibility for the consequences of their actions.In the final analysis, Sharon Taggart bears no responsibility whatsoever because she mentally wasn't there.""Thank you, Dr.Talbot.No further questions at this time, your Honor.However, I reserve the right to recall this witness for clarification purposes at a later date.""Mr.Lassiter, do you have questions for this witness?""Yes, thank you, your Honor," Lassiter answered as he looked at the legal pad in front of him."Dr.Talbot, when you examined Mrs.Taggart, you used hypnosis in order to reach your diagnosis, is that correct?" Lassiter began."Yes.It's the most effective method for determining the presence of the disorder.""Isn't it true that many psychiatrists believe hypnosis is an unreliable method?""I wouldn't say many, but, yes, some do believe it's unreliable.""When you hypnotized Sharon Taggart for the purposes of diagnosis, did you ask to speak to her other personality?""Yes.""In actuality, weren't you suggesting to Mrs.Taggart that she had more than one personality?""No, I didn't suggest the disorder to her.""But you did when you asked for a new personality.""I didn't ask her to create a new personality, Mr.Lassiter.I asked to speak to one who was already there.""Did Sharon Taggart tell you under hypnosis that her brother molested her?""No.""A moment ago you said.""I said she had been molested, but not that Sharon told me.Jan revealed that part of Sharon's history.Sharon wasn't aware that it had happened.""Isn't it possible, Doctor, that by asking to speak to Jan, you were providing Sharon with a way to divulge information that she otherwise wouldn't have told you?""Absolutely.""So you encouraged her to invent Jan, didn't you?""No.If I suggested under hypnosis that Sharon have hallucinations, that doesn't mean she would suddenly start having them.In fact, if she did, I would be extremely suspicious that she was faking it.I cannot give Sharon Taggart more than one personality through hypnosis anymore than I can give her tuberculosis through hypnosis.It's either there or it isn't."Lassiter had made a mistake by allowing Dr.Talbot to get into a lengthy discussion of hypnosis, and Harriett couldn't restrain a slight smile."No further questions at this time, your Honor," Lassiter said as he leaned back in his chair."Redirect, Ms.Markham?""Dr.Talbot, is Sharon Taggart aware of the existence of her alter personality?""She is now but was not aware of her existence when I first examined her.""Does she speak to Jan?""No.""What is the relationship between Sharon and Jan?""As I said, Sharon was unaware of Jan's existence.However, Jan has quite an extensive knowledge of what Sharon has done.She's an observer, but does not communicate with Sharon.""If Jan decided to do something, would Sharon be able to stop her?""Since she didn't know Jan existed, I doubt she would have been able to stop her.And even if she suspected Jan's existence, she still might not have been able to control what Jan was doing, especially recently.The Jan personality has been growing progressively stronger over the past two years or so.""No further questions," Harriett said.Throughout the remainder of the first day of testimony Harriett presented two other evaluations by psychiatrists, both of whom had reached independent conclusions that Sharon Taggart was suffering from dissociative identity disorder brought about by childhood sexual and emotional abuse.As court adjourned for the day, Harriett sent a request to Judge Landers to meet with him privately in chambers.Landers granted the request and notified the prosecution of the meeting.As soon as Sharon had been taken from the courtroom, she and Nick joined Lassiter and his assistant, in Landers's office.Landers hung his robe on a hanger and ruffled his hair with both hands as he sat down behind his desk."What can I do for you, Harriett?" Landers asked with a smile.Harriett had argued a number of cases before Howard Landers since moving to Austin.He was a friendly man who enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere in his courtroom.Despite that, he tolerated no shenanigans from attorneys.In her estimation, Landers was one of the fairest judges in the state."The defense has completed its expert testimony, Judge Landers.Tomorrow, I will be calling two witnesses whose testimony is potentially embarrassing and certainly graphic in nature and content.For the sake of the witnesses, as well as my client, I am requesting that the courtroom be cleared during their testimony," Harriett said, handing Landers a list of scheduled witnesses.Landers looked over the list and handed it to Lassiter."What's the basis for your request?" Landers said, leaning back and placing his hands behind his head."These witnesses have only agreed to appear if they are given some sort of anonymity.Short of placing paper bags over their heads, clearing the courtroom seemed to be the only logical remedy," Harriett explained.Landers smiled."What do you think, Mr.Lassiter? Do you object to having the courtroom cleared?""The public has the expectation of open courts, your Honor," Lassiter said."Yeah, yeah.I know all that idealistic law school bullshit," Landers said as he looked at Nick."Sorry, Nick.""The families of the victims have a right to hear the testimony against Mrs.Taggart," Lassiter continued."What they will hear, Mr.Lassiter, won't make them feel any better," Harriett said."The State opposes the clearing of the courtroom, your Honor," the prosecutor finally said."Why am I not surprised?" Landers chuckled."Do you believe your witnesses will perjure themselves if they are faced with a full courtroom, Harriett?""Possibly.They face public humiliation by testifying.If the courtroom is not cleared, I will be forced to treat them as hostile witnesses.Frankly, I prefer not to attack my own witnesses.""Who are these people.Larabee and Meier?" Landers asked."High school acquaintances of the defendant's brother who are willing to testify to the extent and nature of the sexual abuse suffered by my client, and their complicity in that abuse.""Why would they agree to testify to such a thing? Just being solid citizens?" Landers frowned, not expecting an answer."Where are you going with this, Harriett?""My case is built around the fact that Mrs.Taggart has a personality disorder created by childhood abuse, which included sexual abuse of an incestuous nature.These witnesses will help establish that to the satisfaction of the jury.""You're not requesting the same anonymity for other witnesses, I see," Landers said."Considering what I already know, Judge Landers, I have absolutely no desire to protect any of the other witnesses from public ridicule," Harriett said coolly."That sounds a little vindictive, Harriett, and that's not like you.""I'm sorry, your Honor, but this is an unusual case."Landers looked at Lassiter and shrugged."I'm going to grant the request to have the courtroom cleared for the testimony of these two witnesses.It's only important that the jury hear them, Mr.Lassiter.""Thank you, your Honor," Harriett said.As the attorneys left Landers's chambers, Nick said, "What about the others? You'll have to ask permission to treat them as hostile.""I know, but I didn't want to push my luck right now
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