Chapter 10 - The Verdict and Sentence
On Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM, the jury returned to the courtroom.
Judge Harrison took his seat and looked at the jury foreperson. "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"We have, Your Honor," the foreperson replied, holding a sealed envelope.
The clerk walked the envelope to the judge, who opened it, scanned the pages, and handed it back to be read aloud into the official record.
Evelyn Vance was ordered to stand.
"On count one, First-Degree Murder in the death of Arthur Vance... Guilty." "On count two, Attempted First-Degree Premeditated Murder of Clara Vance... Guilty." "On count three, Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder... Guilty." "On count four, Health Care Fraud and Insurance Fraud... Guilty." "On count five, Reckless Endangerment... Guilty."
Guilty on all counts.
Two weeks later, the sentencing hearing was held.
Tessa Vance was sentenced to fifteen years in state prison under her plea agreement for her role in the conspiracy and sabotage.
Evelyn Vance was sentenced to Life Imprisonment Without the Possibility of Parole, plus an additional forty years to run consecutively.
Judge Harrison looked down at Evelyn from the high bench, his expression one of absolute disgust.
"Evelyn Vance," Judge Harrison stated, his voice echoing off the oak panels. "You are a cold, calculating predator who viewed your own husband and children not as human beings to be loved, but as financial commodities to be exploited and discarded. You will spend every remaining day of your natural life behind the gray walls of a maximum-security prison. Court is adjourned."
The gavel came down with a heavy, final CRACK.
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As the bailiffs led Evelyn away in heavy chains, she turned her head to look at me one last time.
I didn't look away. I didn't flinch. I stood beside Detective Lin and Dr. Conner, watching her disappear through the iron door until it clicked shut forever.
