Chapter 9 - The Verdict

On the fifth day of deliberation, the jury returned with their final verdicts.
The head juror stood up and read the paper in a clear, ringing voice:
"On Count 1, Grand Larceny: We find the defendant, Victor Vance, GUILTY. On Count 2, Corporate Fraud: GUILTY. On Count 3, Witness Intimidation: GUILTY."
The judge slammed his gavel down. "Victor Vance is hereby sentenced to 14 years in state prison without the possibility of parole for the first eight years."
Victor collapsed forward onto the defense table, buried his face in his hands, and wept softly.
"On Count 1, Extortion and Blackmail: We find the defendant, Sienna Miller, GUILTY. On Count 2, Criminal Assault: GUILTY."
"Sienna Miller is hereby sentenced to 4 years in state custody," the judge announced. "Execution of sentence will be deferred until sixty days post-delivery of her child, after which she will report directly to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility."
Sienna let out a sharp scream, dropping to her knees beside her lawyer, sobbing hysterically as she begged the guards for mercy.
Landon and I sat quietly in the front row of the gallery, holding hands. As the officers led Victor past us in chains, he stopped for a fraction of a second, looking at his son with eyes full of regret.
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"Landon... please..." Victor rasped out.
Landon looked at him with calm, quiet finality. "Goodbye, Victor."