Presumed Guilty

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, mental illness, substance use, suicidal ideation, sexual content, illness, and racism.

Aaron’s trial begins in February. Jackdorp introduces himself and Glowoski, and he begins his opening statement. Jackdorp’s case will prove that Aaron murdered Mae and tried to flee from justice. Aaron sits with Rusty and his staff investigator, Susan DeLeo, and supporters fill the seats of the courtroom behind. Rusty worries that Aaron’s introversion will come across as boredom, but Aaron is alert.

Jackdorp outlines the crime’s events. Mae and Aaron went camping to discuss their marriage, but when Mae wouldn’t put her phone down, Aaron snapped, fought with her, and strangled her with a rope, which Jackdorp shows the jury. Aaron then drove Mae’s remains to Ginawaban, abandoned the car, and returned to hide evidence. Judge Carrington previously ruled that Aaron’s court order, not his conviction, could be discussed, but Jackdorp slyly references it. Judge Carrington scolds Jackdorp’s disobedience and instructs the jury not to infer anything about the court order.

Jackdorp continues, declaring that Aaron defied his court order. Jackdorp defends the case’s circumstantial evidence by comparing it to footprints in snow, which prove a person was present even if the person wasn’t seen.