Chapter 8 - THE VERDICT
The jury deliberated for three days.
Evelyn was convicted of conspiracy, financial fraud, unlawful confinement, obstruction, medical coercion, and attempted guardianship fraud.
Dr. Price received ten years.
Attorney Price received twelve.
Pastor James received probation and community confinement under a cooperation agreement, a sentence many considered too light.
Caleb pleaded guilty to assault, fraud conspiracy, and evidence tampering.
He received seven years.
At sentencing, Amelia spoke.
“You did not try to steal only money. You tried to steal the meaning of every reaction before I had it.”
She looked at Evelyn.
“You built a system where anger became illness, fear became instability, and silence became consent.”
Then at Caleb.
“You called love the reason I should stay. Love was the reason I kept waiting for you to become someone you never chose to be.”
Evelyn received twenty-four years.
As deputies led her away, she turned toward Amelia.
“You think you won?”
Amelia looked at the broken pen inside the evidence bag.
“No.”
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“Then what do you think happened?”
“The ending stopped belonging to you.”
