The defense team for former Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and his former unit chief Christopher McPartland began its most important cross-examination Monday, attempting to cast doubt on former Suffolk County Police Lt. James Hickey’s ability to remember years-old conversations.

Hickey was hospitalized twice, in 2013 and 2015, for issues related to stress. During direct questioning from assistant U.S. attorney Lara Treinis Gatz, he testified that he was under extreme pressure because he was involved in the cover-up of a crime along with Spota, McPartland and former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke, who has already served a prison sentence for conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.