Chapter 8 - The Verdict
It took the jury less than three hours of deliberation to reach a unanimous verdict.
When the buzzer sounded and the court reconvened, the tension in the room was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.
Judge Vance sat down, adjusting his glasses, and looked at the foreperson of the jury. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson said, standing up and handing the folded paper to the bailiff, who delivered it to the judge.
Judge Vance unfolded the paper, read it silently, and then looked up at the courtroom.
"On the first count of felony child abuse resulting in severe bodily injury: Guilty."
"On the second count of domestic assault: Guilty."
"On the third count of obstruction of justice and emergency service interference: Guilty."
Ryan let out a low, pathetic whimper, burying his face in his cuffed hands as his public defender placed a heavy, sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
"The defendant is remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections pending sentencing next month," Judge Vance declared, his voice hard as stone. "Given the violent nature of the offenses and the blatant disregard for human life, the court will be seeking maximum statutory penalties."
Bang!
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The gavel fell, sealing Ryan’s fate once and for all.
I didn't feel a rush of wild elation. I didn't feel a desire to gloat. I felt a deep, profound, absolute peace—the kind of quiet stillness that follows a violent storm when the sun finally breaks through the clouds.
