18. Not Guilty As Charged

Complete story — includes the ending

Ethan is taken in at a county jail and Alec reveals that he has a star prosecutor working on Derek's side in the case, as he wants Ethan to be found guilty. Dan contacts his old girlfriend, an attorney, who might be able to help him. Sutton returns from the reservation and Thayer suspects that something had gone on between her and Ethan. Mads is angry at Sutton for hitting on Ryan and for not letting her in on all of the things that had been happening recently. She then tells Sutton that Emma is already a "friend for life," which is something that she couldn't say about Sutton at the moment, pushing Sutton to a breaking point when it comes to the comparisons between her and her sister. Laurel is the only Mercer that is supportive of Emma (as Sutton) during this time. Baz tells her that their band got a spot as an alternate at Coachella, but Laurel isn't sure if her parents would let her go. Theresa Lopez, Dan's ex, agrees to take Ethan's case. When she asks about any other possible persons of interest in the case, Emma and Thayer tell her about Alec Rybak, which upsets Mads. Emma (as Sutton) goes to Rebecca for help, but it is uncertain which side she's really on. Ted creates a lot of tension in the household with the three Mercer women. Rebecca starts to question Alec during their dinner date, while a note arrives at the table telling her to "not trust her date." Alec is quick to refute all of her questions. Sutton and Emma catch up at the cabin and when Emma goes inside for a moment, Theresa sends her a text saying that she could finally see Ethan in jail. Sutton sees the message and responds to it, making sure to delete it right afterwards to leave Emma clueless. Sutton later shows up at the jailhouse, posing as Emma. Not knowing that it wasn't really Emma, Ethan tells her that Sutton means nothing to him. A distraught Sutton (as Emma) then lies and tells him that she (Emma) slept with Thayer. Rebecca gets sent a picture of Alec preparing to hit Derek with a tire iron at the body shop. Ethan is dismissed from custody due to insufficient evidence. Emma is upset when Ethan doesn't come up to her after the hearing and that night, Sutton comes to her and claims that she and Ethan had slept together (which was also untrue).