Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than two hours.
When they returned to the courtroom, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The judge turned to the foreperson. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson replied, standing tall.
"On count one, illegal administration of a controlled substance to a minor, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On count two, severe child abuse and endangerment, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On count three, federal conspiracy and illicit pharmacological trafficking, how do you find..."
"Guilty."
Guilty on all counts.
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Mark collapsed into his seat, burying his head in his hands as the realization hit him. The judge showed zero mercy during sentencing, delivering a consecutive prison term of forty-five years without the possibility of parole.
As Mark was led away in heavy chains to serve his life behind bars, I felt an overwhelming weight lift from my shoulders. Justice had been served. The nightmare was officially over.
