"That is the man who's come before this court and asked for custody of his 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter," attorney Robert Stephan Cohen said of Peter Cook. The couple's daughter, Sailor, had her birthday Wednesday.
"It was wrong and he said it was wrong," Cook's lawyer, Norman Sheresky, said of the porn.
But the main focus of the trial is Cook's affair with an 18-year-old, which set off a frenzy in the tabloids. Cohen said Brinkley found out about it from the teenager's stepfather; the fashion model got the bad news moments before she was to speak at the Southampton High School graduation.
The teenager, Diana Bianchi, is expected to testify. She claims Cook seduced her shortly after hiring her to work at his Hamptons architectural firm.
"He did it and it was wrong. And we said so. And there is no way to make that right," Sheresky said. "Peter has apologized. He's cried his eyes out. He's lost his marriage."
The lawyer said Brinkley is partly to blame for the public spectacle.
"For goodness sake: She's on her fourth husband," Sheresky told the court. "Your honor, we're here because of the self-indulgent wrath of a woman scorned."
Cohen said Brinkley paid for everything throughout the marriage. "Mr. Cook quickly transformed himself as a person to the manor born."
But custody, rather than money, is the main issue at the trial. Brinkley's ownership of her $30 million Bridgehampton home is not being contested.
Cohen said Brinkley is a doting mother whose work schedule revolves around her children. Her ex-husband, "Piano Man" Billy Joel, is also involved in their lives.
"Uncle Billy is around to support these kids," said Cohen.
Alexa Ray Joel, 22, the daughter of Brinkley and Joel, will be called to testify about Cook's "constant criticism of Alexa," said Cohen.
Sheresky said there's ample evidence that Cook's a good parent, including interviews in which Brinkley referred to him as "the best dad in the world."
He quoted Brinkley as saying: "Peter is our rock. He's the calm in the middle of the storm."
Sheresky also blasted Brinkley for supporting a decision to keep the trial open to the public.