The Young and the Restless (YR) Poll: Do Nikki and Phyllis Deserve Jail Time?

Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) acted in defense of her daughter on ‘The Young and the Restless’. Others would say she killed J.T. (Thad Luckinbill) and then foolishly followed Phyllis’ (Gina Tognoni) lead in helping to cover up what happened. Do both ladies now deserve jail time for their actions? The question that leads this feature is presented as subjective and therefore can be debated.

Vickie (Amelia Heinle) was clearly in peril when Nikki, Sharon (Sharon Case), and Phyllis entered her bedroom. J.T. was in a fit of rage after Vickie tried to call the police and report what her hoped-for again-husband had admitted doing to Victor (Eric Braeden). Nikki grabbed an iron fireplace poker, approached the man who hid evidence of her having embezzled from the ‘Moustache’ and conked him as hard as she could.

J.T.’s fall to the floor was followed by Sharon checking his pulse. None could be found. He was covered with a sheet. Moments later J.T.’s phone rang and was removed from his pocket.

Phyllis hatched a coverup plan that involved the living quartet remaining silent about what happened and J.T.’s body being discarded. Nikki suggested an open plot of land at Chancellor Park, where the rug-rolled cadaver was taken and illegally buried. Vickie felt it her responsibility to cover the unmarked grave with dirt. Yes, that’s how J.T. Hellstrom’s life ended.

Rewind. Nikki hits J.T., he falls to the floor and Paul (Doug Davidson) is called while the contingent of ladies waits for the authorities to arrive. Vickie leads the story, explaining that J.T. entered her home through the garage roof and came upon her in the bathroom. He followed Vickie to the bedroom, and struck her with enough force that a visible mark remained. J.T. blocked a call to the police and held her against the dresser until Nikki, Sharon, and Phyllis came in.

As tenured Y&R fans recall, Phyllis (as then played by Michelle Stafford) used her car to purposely run Paul and Christine (Lauralee Bell) down. No arrest or prosecution was possible due to a lack of evidence. But that incident is a leading reason why Phyllis doesn’t trust ‘Pristine’ and knee-jerked into coercing Nikki, Vickie, and Sharon into committing multiple illegal acts. That trio never should have listened to Tognoni’s character, but did. And thus a question can rightfully be asked.

Fans of ‘The Young and the Restless’ rightfully express their opinions on a regular basis. So, do Nikki and Phyllis deserve jail time for their actions? Please vote in our poll below!

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Sean O'Brien

After earning a BA in Communications, Sean began his professional career in the Scranton-Wilkes/Barre Red Barons’ front office (the Philadelphia Phillies former Triple-A affiliate). He later worked as a print sports writer. During this millennium – Sean became a state licensed school teacher, the author of the children’s book Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile, and a credentialed sports columnist. He’s also been a longtime soap opera loyalist.