Chapter 17: The Verdict
Chapter 17: The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than forty-five minutes. When the heavy wooden doors opened and they filed back
into the box, the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"An agreement has been reached," the foreperson announced, standing straight.
"The defendants will please stand," the judge commanded.
Margaret stood up, her legs shaking so violently she had to lean on the table for support. Daniel stood beside
his guard, weeping silently.
"On the charge of attempted first-degree murder, how do you find the defendant, Margaret Devon?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
A massive cheer erupted from the public gallery, silenced instantly by the judge's gavel. I closed my eyes, a
deep, heavy wave of relief washing over my soul.
"On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, how do you find the defendant, Margaret Devon?"
"Guilty."
"On the charge of grand larceny and insurance fraud, how do you find the defendant, Margaret Devon?"
"Guilty."
The foreperson then turned to Daniel, reading the verdict for his reduced charges according to the plea deal:
"On the charge of second-degree conspiracy and accomplice liability, we find the defendant, Daniel Devon, guilty."
The judge looked down at the defendants with complete disdain. "Margaret Devon, for your horrific actions,
your complete lack of remorse, and your blatant violation of this court's trust, I sentence you to life in prison
without the possibility of parole. Daniel Devon, for your complicity and cowardice, you are sentenced to fifteen
years in a maximum-security facility."
As the bailiffs stepped forward with the heavy steel chains, Margaret collapsed to her knees, screaming as she
was dragged out of the courtroom, her expensive shoes scraping uselessly against the marble floors. Daniel looked
May you like
back at me one last time, his eyes begging for forgiveness, but I turned my back on him, walking away into the
light.
