Chapter 7 - The Verdict and Sentence
The jury deliberated for less than three hours—one of the fastest deliberations for a capital crime in county history.
On a rainy Friday afternoon, the courtroom was packed to absolute capacity with reporters, legal observers, and citizens who had followed the harrowing case.
I sat in the front row of the gallery, flanked by Detective Evelyn Marcus and Dr. Caleb Reed, my hand resting gently on my growing bump. I was four months pregnant now, healthy, strong, and unshakeable.
Julian and Selina stood at their respective defense tables, flanked by their attorneys. Julian looked hollowed out, a ghost of the man who had once worn custom suits and commanded corporate boardrooms. Selina stared at the wooden floor, her hands shaking violently inside her cuffs.
Judge Eleanor Vance took her seat on the bench and looked down at the jury foreperson.
"Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson replied, standing tall.
"On the first count of Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, how do you find the defendant, Selina Cole?"
"Guilty."
Selina collapsed into her chair, letting out a choked scream before her lawyer pulled her back up.
"On the second count of Wire Fraud and Embezzlement, how do you find the defendant, Selina Cole?"
"Guilty."
The foreperson then turned toward Julian Vance.
"On the first count of Attempted First-Degree Premeditated Murder, how do you find the defendant, Julian Vance?"
"Guilty."
"On the second count of Aggravated Domestic Assault with a Deadly Weapon, how do you find the defendant, Julian Vance?"
"Guilty."
The courtroom erupted into quiet murmurs of satisfaction. I took a deep, clear breath, feeling a heavy weight that had rested on my chest for eight months finally dissolve into nothingness.
Judge Vance didn't wait for a separate sentencing hearing. Citing the overwhelming nature of the evidence and the brutal severity of the crime, she proceeded directly to sentencing under special statutory guidelines.
"Julian Vance," Judge Vance stated, her stern voice cutting through the silent courtroom. "You took a vow to cherish and protect your wife. Instead, driven by cowardice and greed, you drove a weapon into her body and left her to die while attempting to cover your tracks. You are hereby sentenced to thirty-five years in the Georgia State Penitentiary without the possibility of parole."
Julian slumped forward, tears streaming silently down his face as guards stepped forward to secure his chains.
"Selina Cole," the judge continued, turning her cold gaze toward the co-conspirator. "For your masterminding of this conspiracy, wire fraud, and perjury, you are sentenced to twenty-five years in state custody."
As the guards led both defendants out through the rear security door, Julian turned his head one last time to look at me.
May you like
I looked straight back into his eyes, holding no hatred, no anger, and no sorrow—only total, absolute coldness.
He had tried to erase my life, but in the end, he had erased only his own.
