Chapter 19
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The jury deliberations were shockingly, devastatingly brief. They were sequestered in the private back room for less than four hours before the bailiff announced that a unanimous verdict had been reached.
Julian was led back into the courtroom, his knees shaking so violently he could barely stand without the physical support of the federal marshals. The gallery was packed, completely silent, every eye fixed firmly on the jury box as the twelve men and women filed back into their seats.
Judge Harrison took the bench, adjusting his glasses and looking at the jury foreperson, a stern-looking older woman.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" Judge Harrison asked, his voice echoing in the tense room.
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson stated clearly, handing a sealed envelope to the bailiff, who walked it up to the judge.
Judge Harrison opened the envelope, scanned the document quickly, and handed it back to the bailiff to read into the official court record.
"On the first count of federal wire fraud, how do you find the defendant, Julian Vance?" the bailiff read aloud.
"Guilty," the foreperson answered firmly.
Julian squeezed his eyes shut, a pathetic whimper escaping his throat.
"On the second count of corporate conspiracy and embezzlement?"
"Guilty."
"On the third count of grand larceny and theft of a protected minor's trust?"
"Guilty."
The bailiff continued reading through all thirty-two federal counts. The word 'guilty' slammed into Julian like a physical barrage of heavy stones, completely crushing the last remaining fragments of his arrogant delusion. He was found guilty on every single charge, without a single dissenting vote from the jury.
District Attorney Sterling didn't smile or gloat. He simply closed his heavy legal binder with a sharp, definitive snap, entirely satisfied with the absolute execution of justice.
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"The jury is thanked and dismissed," Judge Harrison announced loudly over the murmurs erupting in the gallery. "The defendant will be remanded entirely without bail pending the official sentencing hearing next week. Court is adjourned."
Julian collapsed completely, his legs giving out as he sobbed uncontrollably. He was practically dragged out of the courtroom by the federal marshals, an utterly broken, pathetic man being hauled away to face the devastating consequences of his own greed.
