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Unfazed by the accounts of his peripatetic sex life, the arrogant defendant fenced constantly with prosecutors. But Capano finally unraveled in court last week when prosecutor Colm Connolly accused him of using his four daughters to mislead investigators. At the mention of his children, he shouted, "You heartless, gutless, soulless disgrace for a human being!" and accused the prosecutor of harassing his mother. The judge then had Capano escorted from the courtroom, and the trial adjourned for the day. A few weeks before, Capano had abruptly fired his four attorneys--only to take them back the next day.
"This is better than any series on television," says flight attendant Susan Friedenberg, who knows what she likes, and has garnered occasional trial seats. "I always wanted to see a trial of a white-collar person from high society who falls in a hard way."
At restaurants and bars, the speculation is ceaseless. This is a small town (pop. 70,000) and a small state, and the avalanche of disclosures has stunned the many who know everyone involved. Capano, once referred to as "the white knight" of a family with a history of legal problems, could face the death penalty if convicted.
The situation "definitely has torn relationships and friendships apart," says Kevin Freel, a longtime friend of the Fahey family's, who no longer speaks to another old friend who is one of Capano's attorneys.
Sometimes it seems as if the only people in town not reveling in the daily details are Anne Marie Fahey's four brothers and sister, who attend the trial daily and coolly keep their distance from members of the Capano family outside the courtroom. "They are determined and resolute to see this to the end," says Freel. "But things will never be the same around here again. Anne Marie will still be gone."