Chapter 7 - The Grand Jury Indictment
On Tuesday morning, the Franklin County Courthouse was buzzing with activity.
I sat in the witness waiting room on the third floor, holding Emma’s hand while Aunt Karen read her a storybook.
Detective Miller walked into the room, holding a official court summons.
"Clara," Miller said, taking a seat beside me. "The Grand Jury is ready for your testimony. The prosecutor has expanded the indictment based on the financial audit documents your investigator provided."
"How many charges?" I asked.
"Six counts," Miller replied. "Felony Child Abuse, Grand Tampering with Evidence, Forgery, Witness Intimidation, and two counts of Felony Embezzlement."
I stood up, adjusting my jacket. I looked down at Emma, who offered me a tiny, confident smile.
"Go get 'em, Mommy," Emma whispered.
I walked into Grand Jury Room B.
Seated in a semi-circle were twenty-three citizens of Franklin County. At the prosecutor's podium stood Assistant District Attorney Marcus Vance—a sharp, uncompromising prosecutor who specialized in special victims cases.
For forty-five minutes, I presented the truth.
I showed the grand jury the original photograph.
I walked them through the zoomed-in reflection in the china cabinet glass.
I presented the medical photographs of the hand-shaped mark on Emma’s cheek, the recording of Uncle Richard trying to bribe me with the family trust, and the financial audit showing Lorraine’s theft of the children's charity funds.
When I finished, the room was dead silent.
Three hours later, the grand jury returned a unanimous decision: True Bill on all six felony counts.
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Lorraine’s bond was revoked due to the added financial charges and witness tampering evidence.
She was taken directly into custody from her attorney's office and remanded to the Franklin County Correctional Center without bail pending trial.
