Chapter 18 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for a mere three hours.
When the buzzer rang, signaling they had reached a verdict, the courtroom fell into a dead, electric silence. I sat beside Marcus, my hand resting on his arm. He squeezed it gently, a silent gesture of support.
Margaret Hale stood up, her defense attorney holding her elbow to keep her upright. She looked small, defeated, and suddenly very old.
The jury foreperson, a stern-looking man in his fifties, stood up and read the verdict.
"On the charge of First-Degree Felonious Assault, we find the defendant, Margaret Hale, Guilty."
Margaret gasped, her knees buckling.
"On the charge of Domestic Violence with a Deadly Weapon, we find the defendant, Guilty."
"On the charge of Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter, we find the defendant, Guilty."
A wave of quiet murmuring swept the room. The judge banged his gavel, restoring order.
"The defendant will be remanded to the custody of the county sheriff pending sentencing," the judge announced. "Given the violent nature of the crime, bail is revoked."
Two female deputies stepped forward, their handcuffs clinking. As they pulled Margaret’s arms behind her back, she lost all control.
"Evelyn!" she shrieked, her voice echoing off the high ceilings of the courtroom. "You did this to me! You ruined my family! You are a monster! You will burn in hell for this!"
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I stood up slowly, looking directly at her as she was led away in chains.
"No, Margaret," I said softly, though I knew she couldn't hear me over her own screams. "You did this to yourself. I just stopped paying for your escape routes."
