Chapter 8 - Justice Rendered
The verdict came down three days later.
The courtroom was deafeningly silent as Justice Montemayor read the final ruling into the record.
"In the matter of Ruiz v. Mendoza Urban Development, this court finds that the 1984 title deed held by Mateo Ruiz is fully valid, binding, and unassailable," the judge declared.
"Furthermore, the court finds that Jorge Mendoza engaged in systematic corporate fraud, land theft, illegal wiretapping, and conspiracy to commit severe bodily harm against Doña Elena Ruiz."
The judge struck his gavel hard.
"The court orders the immediate transfer of 50% of the gross equity of the Residencial Coyoacán Development—valued at 1.6 billion pesos—to Alejandro Ruiz and Doña Elena Ruiz. In addition, a punitive damage award of 400 million pesos is ordered against Mendoza Corporation to be paid directly to the Ruiz family."
The courtroom erupted into cheers. Journalists rushed out the doors to broadcast the breaking news live across the country.
Justice Montemayor was not finished. He looked over his glasses at the two armed Federal Marshals standing near the door.
"Furthermore, based on the evidence presented in these proceedings, I issue an immediate warrant for the arrest of Jorge Mendoza on charges of corporate fraud, conspiracy to commit murder, and the unlawful death of Mateo Ruiz in 1984. Bail is denied."
The Marshals stepped forward.
Jorge Mendoza, the man who had ruled Mexico City's real estate market with an iron fist for thirty years, was forced to stand up. His expensive suit jackets were pulled back, and heavy steel handcuffs were clicked around his wrists.
As he was led away in shame, he passed by my mother’s wheelchair. He stopped for a split second, looking down at her, his eyes hollowed out by defeat.
Doña Elena did not look away. She sat straight, her chin held high, meeting his gaze with total calm.
May you like
"My husband was not a weak man, Don Jorge," she said softly, her voice carrying through the quiet room. "He was an honest man. And honesty always lasts longer than concrete."
Mendoza was dragged out of the courtroom into a wall of flashing news cameras.
