Days of our Lives Recap, July 29, 2025: Johnny's trial begins

Here is your Days of our Lives recap for what happened on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, when Johnny's trial started.

What happened on Days of our Lives

In the pub, Kate complimented Roman on his suit. “Set to testify against my own grandson,” Roman said. Kate started to clear a table. Roman objected to Kate taking on a second job now that she was working at Titan, but Kate argued that Roman was short-staffed without Doug. Kate reminded Roman that she was his family. After Roman left, Philip entered the pub.

“Missed you at the office,” Philip said. Kate explained that because the pub was short-staffed, she had left Titan early so that Roman had coverage while he was at the courthouse. Philip admitted that it was weird that he was his mother’s boss. Kate said she did not mind. Philip told Kate that “One Stormy Night” looked like a bestseller.

“It’s not very often that an author like Anastasia Sands emerges out of nowhere,” Kate said. Philip asked about the identity of the author, but Kate refused to say. “I’m your boss, remember? You have to tell me,” Philip said. Kate said no. With a smirk, Philip noted that he recognized some of the intimate moments in the book, and he had a guess about the author. Kate said she did not want to hear about it.

“So I’m right. Anastasia Sands is Stephanie Johnson,” Philip said. Kate shushed Philip, and she asked him not to tell Stephanie that he knew. “[Stephanie] is a very successful PR executive who doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s writing erotic novels on the side,” Kate whispered. Philip noted that Stephanie might have other exes that could recognize themselves in the book too. “That might not be good for anyone,” Philip said. Kate pointed out that Stephanie had changed the names of the characters and used a pseudonym.

“I wrote a book once about a love affair I had with Bill Horton, Lucas’ father, and I was still married to Curtis at the time,” Kate said. “I didn’t know about this. What happened?” Philip asked. Kate told Philip how Jack had attempted to publish it, and she had stopped him. “And then it all came out again during Curtis’ murder trial,” Kate said. Philip apologized.

“My god, when I think about how privileged my life has been compared to yours and how many times I’ve managed to screw it up,” Philip said. “That is all in the past. Look what you’ve done. What you’ve accomplished,” Kate said. Kate noted that Philip had gotten his second chance without Xander’s help. Philip asked Kate to ignore Xander, and she agreed. “But I’m very glad that I’m inside the company, just in case,” Kate added.

At Stephanie’s apartment, Jada asked Stephanie if she really wanted to work for EJ. Stephanie explained that she had needed a big client to keep her PR firm afloat. “You do understand what you’re getting yourself into?” Jada asked. “I know who EJ is and what he’s capable of,” Stephanie countered. Stephanie explained that part of the reason she had taken the job was to serve as a buffer between EJ and her mother.

“I don’t love the idea of laundering this man’s reputation,” Jada said. Stephanie said she understood. As Jada got ready to leave for court, she asked Stephanie if she had seen the package on the table. “I’m pretty sure it’s from one of my exes,” Stephanie said. “Why would an old boyfriend send you something?” Jada asked. With a shrug, Stephanie said she preferred to ignore the package. Jada warned Stephanie that it was best to just open the package and move on, but Stephanie disagreed. Stephanie dropped the package in the trash.

While Chad was walking through the square, he ran into EJ. Chad admitted that he was unhappy that Belle had called him as a witness for the prosecution in Johnny’s trial. EJ started to ask Chad for help, but Chad cut him off. Chad refused to slant the news coverage in Johnny’s favor. “It’s all going to work out the way it’s supposed to, okay?” Chad said.

At the courthouse, Belle ran into Johnny in the hallway. “Whatever happens in that courtroom, I just really need you to know that I love you. And I believe in you,” Belle said. “I appreciate that. And I know you’re just doing your job,” Johnny said. With a nod, Johnny entered the courtroom.

When EJ arrived, Johnny told him about Susan’s visit. “She says she knows it in her bones that I am not the shooter,” Johnny said. EJ said he had an idea who was the culprit. With a frustrated sigh, Johnny stressed that Chanel was not the shooter. “Whatever happens in this trial, do not go there,” Johnny warned EJ.

The bailiff called the court to order, and Judge Dabney entered. The judge asked for opening statements. Belle reminded the jury of the DiMera family reputation, and she asked the jurors to follow the facts. When EJ spoke, he told the jury that he knew his son was innocent, but he had been unable to recall all the details from the night of the shooting. EJ pointed out the lack of evidence by the prosecution. After an admission of his own unlikableness, EJ asked the jury not to hold his sins against his son.

On the stand, Chad talked about what he had witnessed the night of the shooting. Belle asked Chad if he had known about Johnny’s strained relationship with EJ. Chad said he had. When Belle asked about Chad’s interaction with Johnny after the shooting, Chad admitted that Johnny had declined to visit EJ in the hospital.

“Did you tell him how dire his father’s condition was?” Belle asked. Chad said yes. “[He said] he didn’t care whether his father lived or died,” Chad testified. On cross examination, EJ asked Chad about the crime scene. Chad testified that the french doors to the garden had been open. “No sign of the shooter?” EJ asked. Chad said no. Chad testified that he had not seen Johnny. “As far as I could tell, the only person in the house was you. And I was afraid it was going to be the last time I ever saw you,” Chad said.

The next witness was Jada, and she testified about Roman’s firearm. On cross, Jada admitted that there was no physical evidence that had tied Johnny to the weapon. “What about you, commissioner? Did you have motive to want me dead?” EJ asked. Belle objected, but the judge allowed the line of questioning. Jada admitted that she had had motive, and EJ forced her to admit that she had told someone that she had wished EJ would die.

Roman was the next witness, and he testified that he had turned the gun into the police. Belle asked for details about why Roman had believed that his gun had been used in a shooting. Roman talked about how he had told Johnny that he had kept his gun behind the bar in a lockbox. “Did you know that Johnny was angry with his father?” Belle asked. EJ objected, but he was overruled.

“Johnny was upset with his father for a host of reasons,” Roman said. Belle asked Roman if Johnny had ever said he had wanted to hurt his father, and Roman said yes. “And when you realized your gun was missing, did you try to track Johnny down?” Belle asked. Roman said when he had gone to the mansion, he had found the gun in a planter on the porch.

“I got this sinking feeling that it might be too late. Before I could investigate further, I heard sirens approaching. And I figured even if EJ was hurt that help was on the way. So I grabbed the gun to protect Johnny, and I got the hell out of there,” Roman said. Roman testified that he had returned his gun to the lockbox at the pub. Belle asked Roman if there had been a bullet missing from the gun. Roman said yes, and that he had wiped the gun clean of prints.

“Why did you take the gun from the DiMera house, and why did you clean it and hide it?” Belle asked. “Because I thought my grandson might be the shooter,” Roman admitted. On cross, Roman confirmed he had not seen Johnny take the gun. EJ asked Roman if he had ever wished him dead. With a chuckle, Roman said, “I didn’t shoot you, EJ, if that’s what you’re implying.” EJ argued that Roman’s claim that he had wanted to protect his grandson was in conflict with the fact that Roman had turned Johnny in to the police.

“You had the means and the opportunity to shoot me. And you just admitted that you had the motive to make good on your promise. To defend the honor of Samantha, your daughter,” EJ argued. “Seriously, EJ? My god, no,” Roman said. EJ noted that he had been shot by Roman’s gun, and Roman could have been the shooter. Belle objected, and EJ withdrew his last statement.

While Stephanie was walking through the town square, she ran into Chad. Chad told Stephanie about court. “I just hope EJ can keep Johnny out of prison,” Stephanie said. Chad cautioned Stephanie to be careful with her new job. “I am not about to let EJ DiMera push me around or compromise my values,” Stephanie said. Chad asked about Alex, and she said things were good.

“I’m happy for you,” Chad said. Chad told Stephanie not to let the past hurt her happiness. Stephanie agreed. When Stephanie returned home, Jada was there. Stephanie fished the package out of the trash. Inside the box was a tote bag that Stephanie had forgotten that she had ordered.

“Now I feel really silly,” Stephanie said. Curious, Jada asked Stephanie why she had been so certain that her ex had sent the package. Stephanie explained that her ex had been on her mind because of the events in her book. “Events I’d rather keep in the past,” Stephanie added.

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