Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Judgment
Six months after the dramatic wedding reception, the high-profile criminal trial of Austin Hayes and Eleanor Hayes reached its final conclusion in district court.
Austin sat at the defense table in a plain orange prison jumpsuit, his dark hair disheveled and his former arrogant demeanor completely erased by months of detention.
Beside him sat Eleanor, her high-society status destroyed as she faced mandatory prison time as an accomplice.
The digital video evidence from Monica’s bouquet camera, combined with the chemical analysis and financial wire records, left zero room for defense.
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in less than thirty minutes.
The federal judge slammed his heavy wooden gavel down onto the bench with absolute finality.
"Austin Hayes," the judge declared sternly, "for the crime of premeditated attempted murder and illegal substance trafficking, you are sentenced to twenty-five years in state prison without eligibility for early parole."
The judge turned his stern gaze to Eleanor. "Eleanor Hayes, for your active participation and financing of this dangerous crime, you are sentenced to ten years in state custody."
BANG.
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Austin collapsed onto the defense table, weeping pathetically as officers led him away to serve his sentence.
👉 Read Part 9 to see how Monica used her ten-million-dollar inheritance.
