Chapter 14 - The Final Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than four hours before reaching a unanimous decision.
The courtroom was completely silent as the foreman stood up to read the verdict.
Arthur Sterling was found guilty on all forty-two counts of federal fraud and conspiracy.
Julian was found guilty of grand larceny, embezzlement, and obstruction of justice.
Victoria was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The judge did not show them even a single ounce of leniency during sentencing.
Arthur was sentenced to thirty-five years in a maximum-security federal penitentiary.
Julian received a twenty-year sentence with no possibility of early parole.
Victoria was handed a fifteen-year sentence in a federal women’s correctional facility.
As the judge read the final sentences, Arthur collapsed back into his chair in shock.
Julian buried his face in his hands, weeping loudly in front of the entire gallery.
Victoria sat completely frozen, her eyes completely vacant and dead.
The bailiffs stepped forward and placed heavy chains around their wrists and ankles.
They were stripped of their expensive suits and marched out of the room like common thugs.
I stood in the gallery, watching the doors close behind them for the very last time.
Justice had finally been served in the most absolute and brutal way possible.
The heavy, suffocating shadow of the Sterling family was permanently erased from my life.
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I walked out of the courthouse and took a deep breath of fresh, clean air.
I was finally completely free.
