Sheriff Owens arrives with a deputy and takes the teenager whom Nova identified into custody. Nova sits with Betty Cooper, a county social worker, while her mother enters and embraces her. In her chambers, Mary feels devastated by Nova’s revelation, which stirs painful memories of her own rape years earlier.

Three lawyers and a court reporter knock on Mary’s door. DA Reeves accuses her of prejudicing the State’s case by permitting Nova to testify that she was raped. Lindquist argues that the testimony is legally irrelevant because any sexual contact with a 13-year-old constitutes rape. Reeves demands that Mary instruct the jury to disregard Nova’s testimony and then moves for her recusal. Mary overrules both motions and concludes the conference for lunch. Reeves and Lindquist storm out.

At the end of the court day, four Alabama National Guard soldiers meet Mary outside her chambers, informing her that the governor has ordered them to escort her safely out of the city. Mary objects, but the lead guard explains that electronic surveillance has detected verbal threats to her safety. The guards escort her through the courthouse past reporters and onlookers, one of whom shouts that Mary is “guilty.” She feels as though she’s experiencing “a perp walk” (354).