ADA Novak questions Rob Sweeney, then his lawyer cross-examines him. Since he's the defendant, Novak cannot call him to the stand and would not question him first.
Someone convicted of manslaughter in the second degree cannot be sentenced to probation, as a class C felony the law requires it carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 years in prison.
After discovering mitigating circumstances ADA Novak pleads Will down to manslaughter in the second degree. However that charge is only for when someone unintentionally causes the death of a person; the appropriate charge for an intentional homicide committed under extreme emotional disturbance is manslaughter in the first degree.