Chapter 8 - The Hammer of Justice
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned to the courtroom, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The foreperson stood up, holding the verdict sheet.
"On count one, felony elder abuse and unlawful confinement: Guilty." "On count two, grand larceny in the first degree: Guilty." "On count three, corporate fraud and forgery: Guilty." "On count four, aggravated assault: Guilty."
Wendy dropped her face into her hands, sobbing uncontrollably as the guilty verdicts were read one after another down the list of eleven felony charges.
Three weeks later, sentencing took place. Judge Robert Callahan did not hold back.
"Wendy Sterling," Judge Callahan said, looking down from his bench with total disdain. "You demonstrated a level of calculated cruelty and greed that revolts the conscience of this court. You took a vulnerable mother, starved her, abused her, and attempted to steal her family's entire life work under the guise of marriage."
He slammed his gavel down. "I sentence you to sixteen years in the state penitentiary, without the possibility of parole for the first twelve years. Full restitution of $1.6 million will be seized from your mother’s assets and foreign accounts immediately."
As the bailiffs clamped heavy iron shackles onto Wendy's ankles and wrist chains, she turned her tear-streaked face toward me in the gallery.
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"Luca... please!" she sobbed as she was dragged toward the side holding cell door. "I loved you! Please don't let them take me!"
I stood beside my mother, holding Jessi’s hand firmly in mine. I didn't say a word. I simply watched until the heavy steel door slammed shut behind her, cutting off her voice forever.
