Chapter 17 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for exactly two hours.
When the foreperson stood up, the tension in the room was absolute.
"On the charges of felony child endangerment and aggravated assault, we find the defendants guilty on all counts,"
The foreperson read from the paper.
My mother let out a loud, pathetic wail, collapsing against her attorney's shoulder. My father finally showed emotion, his face turning a sickly gray as the reality of his future settled in.
The judge did not offer an ounce of leniency.
"Your actions demonstrate a chilling, sociopathic disregard for human life, specifically the lives of your own flesh and blood,"
The judge declared, slamming his gavel.
"I sentence you both to eighteen months in the state penitentiary, followed by five years of supervised probation and mandatory anger management counseling."
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They were handcuffed right there in the courtroom and led away through the side doors. My mother looked back at me one last time, her eyes filled with venomous anger, completely incapable of feeling genuine remorse.
I didn't look away. I didn't cry. I watched them leave, completely at peace with the justice that had finally been served.
