How does what Parnell accomplishes on this trip help Lt. Manion’s defense?

1.Anatomy of a Murder, Part 2, chs 8-14) Why does Parnell leave Polly alone at the trial and take a short trip? How does what Parnell accomplishes on this trip help Lt. Manion’s defense? What precisely did Parnell accomplish, and what problem does this solve for Polly’s defense of Lt. Manion—or at least give him the hope of solving?
2.Anatomy of a Murder, Part 2, chs 15-23) Assuming that Barney Quill did rape Laura Manion, what is your theory about what Barney Quill thought would happen later that evening (after the rape) in his bar? What outcome did Barney Quill anticipate? Try to factor into your answer the information we learned about Barney’s behavior for the two weeks prior to Barney’s death (Alfonse Paquette testified about this), and the news that Barney had obtained Life Insurance Policies two weeks before he died. (NB—typical life insurance policies become void if the insured commits suicide within one year of taking out the policy).