Chapter 8 - The Final Judgment
The jury deliberated for less than forty-five minutes.
When the verdict was read, Jason was found guilty on all six felony counts: grand forgery, custodial kidnapping, perjury, conspiracy, wire fraud, and tax evasion.
Judge Reyes ordered Jason to stand for sentencing.
"Jason Vance," Judge Reyes said, looking down from the bench with cold disgust. "You took advantage of a grieving woman at her lowest moment—at the very grave of her parents—to execute a cruel, calculated plot driven by greed and arrogance. You used a child as a bargaining chip to secure financial favors from a wealthy accomplice."
The judge picked up her pen, signing the formal judgment order.
"I sentence you to eighteen years in state prison without the possibility of early parole. Furthermore, you are ordered to pay two point four million dollars in civil restitution to the Clara Sterling Trust."
Jason was led away by two court officers. As he passed the gallery, he looked at me, his mouth moving as if trying to utter a final plea, but I did not look back at him.
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He was no longer a threat. He was simply a line item in an old, closed ledger.
Vanessa Hale accepted a negotiated plea deal later that afternoon, receiving eight years in prison for her role in the financial conspiracy and document fraud, her family's fortune completely liquidated to pay off corporate debts and legal judgments.
