The Influential Author by Gregory V. Diehl

Vail decides to anonymously deliver the evidence to Venable's doorstep, knowing that she is under intense pressure to deliver a guilty verdict and will use the tape as proof of Aaron's motive, which she has so far been unable to establish. Vail is troubled by this information, because it proves his client is innocent by reason of insanity plea, but he can not change his defense in the midst of an ongoing trial. Neuropsychologist Molly Arrington investigates Aaron for several hours and concludes he has dissociative identity disorder caused by years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of his father and Rushman. Soon after, he becomes passive and shy again, with no recollection of the personality switch. Roy claims responsibility for the archbishop's death and attacks Vail. When Vail confronts Aaron about lying, Aaron breaks down crying and suddenly becomes a violent sociopath without a stutter who self-identifies as Roy. The tape shows the archbishop forcing Aaron, Linda, and Alex to engage in sexual acts. This is revealed by Vail's current client, mob boss Joey Piñero, who wants to protect his community from being displaced by high-end real estate development.įollowing a tip from Alex, another former altar boy, about recorded evidence of the archbishop being a sexual predator, Vail steals a VHS cassette from the crime scene. Vail tries to seduce her again at a public event the night before the murder, whispering into her ear from behind and asking her to dance, despite there being no music she refuses him, declaring their past was 'a six month long one night stand.'Īs the trial begins, Vail discovers that powerful civic leaders, including the corrupt state's attorney John Shaughnessy, recently lost millions in real-estate investments, due to Rushman's decision to not develop church-owned land. They previously worked together as state attorneys and had a casual relationship at the time. Meanwhile, Janet Venable is assigned by the state's attorney to prosecute the case.

Vail believes that Aaron is innocent, being meek and with a severe stutter. Aaron claims that he admired the archbishop. Vail meets with Aaron in his holding cell and offers to defend him pro bono. Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old altar boy from Kentucky, is seen fleeing the scene covered in blood and is arrested for the crime. One morning, Archbishop Rushman, a beloved figure and head of Chicago's Catholic diocese, is ambushed and savagely killed by an unseen assailant. Martin Vail is an arrogant Chicago defense attorney who loves the spotlight and is known for winning acquittals for high-profile clients on legal technicalities. ( May 2023) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed.

The Influential Author by Gregory V. Diehl