Chapter 8 - THE VERDICT
After a grueling four-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When the bailiff announced that the jury had reached a verdict, a breathless hush fell over the courtroom. Evelyn sat rigid at the defense table, her fingers clawing nervously at the wooden surface.
The foreperson of the jury stood up and handed the white slip of paper to the judge.
Judge Harrison adjusted his reading glasses, scanned the document, and looked directly at the defendant.
"On the first count of attempted murder in the second degree against a minor: Guilty."
"On the second count of aggravated child abuse: Guilty."
"On the third count of poisoning with intent to cause grievous bodily harm: Guilty."
Gasps rippled through the gallery. Evelyn let out a choked, desperate sob, slumping forward in her chair as her defense attorney patted her shoulder in hopeless consolation.
Judge Harrison didn't waste any time. "Given the extreme malice, premeditation, and total lack of remorse displayed by the defendant, this court sentences Evelyn Vance to twenty-five years in federal penitentiary without the possibility of parole."
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The gavel came down with a sharp, echoing crack that signaled the definitive end of the nightmare.
Justice had been served.
