Chapter 18 - The Hammer of Justice
After three days of intense testimony,
the jury retired to the deliberation room to make their final decision.
The courtroom remained in anxious silence for two long hours.
Finally,
the jury members returned to the courtroom,
their expressions solemn,
serious,
and decisive.
Judge Harrison asked the jury foreman to read the final verdicts aloud.
The jury foreman stood up,
holding the official verdict documents in his hands.
Foreman: On the charge of attempted murder and severe child endangerment,
we find the defendant,
Victoria Vance,
GUILTY.
Foreman: On the charges of grand larceny,
embezzlement,
and corporate fraud,
we find the defendant,
Victoria Vance,
GUILTY.
Foreman: On the charges of criminal conspiracy and witness intimidation,
we find the defendant,
Julian Vance,
GUILTY.
Victoria gasped loudly,
clutching her chest as tears of despair poured down her face.
She collapsed into her chair,
sobbing hysterically as she realized her grand life of luxury was over forever.
Julian slammed his hands against the table,
cursing bitterly as court officers surrounded him.
Judge Harrison banged his gavel with immense force,
delivering a stern,
unyielding lecture to the convicted criminals.
Judge Harrison: You brought shame,
greed,
and horrific cruelty into a loving home,
endangering the life of an innocent child for financial gain.
I sentence Victoria Vance to thirty years in maximum-security prison without the possibility of early parole.
I sentence Julian Vance to twenty-five years in federal prison for his role in this vile conspiracy.
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The court officers promptly handcuffed the sobbing siblings and led them away into dark custody.
Tears of relief flowed freely down Richard's face as he embraced Sarah and his son Leo tightly in the center of the courtroom.
