Carly pleads with Rosie to testify for Parker. Ameera can't handle the courtroom. Parker is ready to give up. The judge reaches his decision about Parker's case.
Carly goes to see Jack before Parker's trial. She says the cops don't know anything new so she is going back to Chicago to track down the homeless woman herself. Jack says he is going, too! Carly begs him to stay in Oakdale and go to court to support Parker but Jack won't do it. They finally get on the road. Carly worries that they won't find the homeless woman in time. They park the car when Carly sees a familiar figure - it's the homeless woman! Carly and Jack question the woman; her name is Ruby. Jack starts talking and Ruby realizes he is a cop; she walks away. Carly follows, begging her to tell them what she knows. Ruby breaks down and says Kit admitted to killing Sam! Excited, Carly says they have to get to court but Ruby refuses! Saying she has a record, Ruby says she won't risk it. Carly begs her, saying she is Parker's only hope and Ruby says she'll go with them. As they are on the way back, a police officer stops them because Carly is speeding!
Luke runs down Noah in Old Town. He asks Noah to take notes but Noah says he isn't going to class - he's going to the courtroom! Luke nearly kisses him but then draws back, afraid that Homeland Security or the INS might be watching. Ameera returns from getting coffee and asks if she can go to the trial, too.
Brad meets Katie at WOAK with breakfast. The smells upset Katie's stomach. She tries to focus on Parker and ignore the night before but Brad won't let the subject drop. He asks what happened with Jack that has thrown Katie into a tailspin. She reluctantly tells him about the episode when Jack was in septic shock. "And then he came to his senses and asked for Carly," she says.
Meg, Emma, Holden and Lily support Parker at the farm, telling him that everything is going to be fine. Parker refuses to let them look on the bright side, insisting he is going to jail. Emma makes Parker breakfast while Holden assures Parker that Carly and Jack are tracking down a new lead. Realizing that his parents aren't going to be in the courtroom, Parker storms out - and runs right into Paul! Paul tells Parker to have faith. The family leaves for court together. At the courthouse, Emma takes Parker inside. Holden greets Noah, Luke and Ameera, thanking them for coming. The crowd goes inside. Lily hangs back with Luke to make sure he is okay. Luke admits that he isn't completely okay with Noah's marriage. Brad and Katie arrive and Holden fills them in on their mission. Meg asks Paul if he has had a premonition about Parker and he says he hasn't. She asks if things are going well with Barbara and he says he isn't sure. Paul asks if they can sit together but Meg turns to her family's row of seats. Tom and the prosecutor return; Holden asks Tom how he is doing after the Gray incident. He says they are hanging on. Parker sees Tom and asks if there is still time for Carly and Jack to arrive; he says they need to hurry. Just then the judge comes into the room and the session begins. Parker takes the stand and tells the judge about Sam firing bands to make himself indispensable to Carly. As Parker talks about the feelings he had on the night of the shooting, Ameera becomes very uncomfortable. Parker continues talking and tells the judge about Sam hurting Carly. Ameera can't take it and leaves. Noah follows just as Parker admits he did shoot Sam. Tom asks how many times Parker shot the gun and Parker swears he only shot once. The judge asks if he is certain because in his deposition Parker said he may have shot twice. Parker explains that he was still upset at the time but that he is certain now. "I didn't kill Sam," he says.
In the hall, Ameera apologizes to Noah but says she couldn't listen to the testimony any longer because it was bringing back memories from the past. Noah offers to take her home but Ameera says she wants to stay. They return to the courtroom as the prosecutor begins questioning Parker. She twists Parker's words from the deposition and makes him admit that he wanted Sam permanently out of the picture and that he could have fired twice. The judge releases Parker from the witness stand and Tom gives his closing arguments. The prosecutor gives her closing arguments, too, saying that Parker is the only person who could have killed Sam. The judge calls a recess and says he'll return with a verdict soon. Parker asks Tom what his chances are and Tom says good; later, talking to Holden, Tom admits that Parker will likely be found guilty. Luke asks Noah and Ameera why they left. Noah says Parker's testimony brought up bad memories for Ameera. Noah asks how Luke is and he says as long as he knows they have a future, he will be fine. Lily, meanwhile, is worried that Carly and Jack won't get there in time. In the hall, Meg thanks Paul for encouraging Parker at the farm. Brad sends Jack a text message, asking him to hurry. Just then the judge returns to the courtroom. The judge says Parker's actions were premeditated and that because there is no evidence of another shooter, he has to find Parker guilty!
In the car, Jack flashes his badge and tells the officer they are trying to get Ruby back as a witness in a murder case. He offers to escort them to the courthouse! Jack and Carly walk into the courtroom with Ruby just as the judge finds Parker guilty. The prosecutor tells the judge to ignore them but the judge allows for a final witness and Ruby takes the stand. Tom asks Ruby about Kit and Ruby tells the court about Kit befriending her on the street. The prosecutor objects but the judge overrules her. Ruby tells them that Kit returned to Metro, saw Sam with Carly and then saw Parker shoot. "And then Kit finished Sam off," she says. The prosecutor questions Ruby, who says she only wants to save Parker's life. Ruby gives the judge Kit's identification, which was left in the pocket of the coat she gave Ruby. Along with identification is proof of another of Kit's aliases and proof that Kit was in Oakdale the night of the shooting. The judge releases Ruby from the stand. The judge reverses his guilty verdict and releases Parker, but says he will still have to be punished for shooting Sam. The courtroom is ecstatic.
Next on As The World Turns:
Meg gets a letter from Craig.
Vienna is arrested.
Parker wants to move back in with Carly.
Carly and Katie decide their futures - together!
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