Chapter 8 - The Verdict
It took the jury less than forty-five minutes to reach a decision.
When the twelve men and women marched back into the courtroom, their expressions were unanimous—cold, resolute, and devoid of sympathy for the defense table.
Judge Harrison took his seat at the high bench, adjusting his spectacles as he unfolded the yellow verdict forms.
"Will the defendants please stand?" Judge Harrison ordered.
Declan, Bellamy, and Una stood up slowly, their waist chains clinking loudly in the silent room. Declan was trembling so hard that Hayes had to support him by the elbow.
"On Count One: Attempted Second-Degree Murder," Judge Harrison read, his voice booming through the acoustics. "We find the defendant, Bellamy Vance... GUILTY."
Bellamy let out a sharp, hysterical shriek, collapsing back into her chair, covering her face as female bailiffs instantly stepped behind her.
"On Count Two: First-Degree Child Endangerment and Deprivation of Life Support," the judge continued, fixing his gaze on Declan. "We find the defendant, Declan Vance... GUILTY."
Declan buried his face against the defense table, sobbing uncontrollably.
"On Count Three: Felony Obstruction of Emergency Medical Services and False Imprisonment," Judge Harrison read, looking at the matriarch. "We find the defendant, Una Vance... GUILTY."
Una stood stone-faced, her lips pressed into a thin white line, refusing to show emotion as the guilty verdicts echoed off the wooden walls.
Judge Harrison set the papers down, leaning forward over the bench, his eyes burning with righteous indignation.
"In my thirty-four years on the bench, I have rarely witnessed a display of domestic cruelty as profound and depraved as what was presented in this courtroom," the judge stated, his voice ringing out clearly for the news cameras. "To inflict physical damage upon a child's life-support machinery for personal vanity is monstrous. But to film that child's distress and mock her agony is an act of pure evil."
He picked up his sentencing gavel.
"Bellamy Vance: You are hereby sentenced to fourteen years in the state correctional facility, without eligibility for parole for ten years."
Bellamy gasped, her eyes rolling back as bailiffs held her upright.
"Declan Vance: You are sentenced to ten years in state prison, and your parental rights regarding Veta Vance are hereby permanently terminated under federal statute."
Declan let out a gut-wrenching sob, dropping to his knees on the carpet.
"Una Vance: You are sentenced to six years in state custody for your role in blockading the emergency transport."
CRACK.
The gavel struck the wooden block with a sound that signaled the absolute, permanent destruction of the Vance family legacy.
As the bailiffs stepped forward, snapping secondary wrist restraints onto the three convicts and dragging them through the side exit toward the holding cells, Declan turned his head toward the gallery one last time.
He looked at Veta.
His mouth moved, forming the silent words, "I'm sorry."
Veta didn't nod. She didn't cry. She simply reached out, took my hand in hers, and squeezed it gently.
May you like
She didn't need his apology. She didn't need his love.
She had her life back.
