Chapter 9 - The Trial
The courtroom was packed to maximum capacity, filled with local journalists and curious onlookers who had followed the viral drama.
Carol sat at the defense table, wearing a cheap, ill-fitting suit provided by her overworked public defender.
The last three months in the county jail, unable to make bail due to her frozen assets, had aged her a decade.
Her hair was entirely gray, her posture was slumped, and the arrogant fire in her eyes had been extinguished.
Across the aisle, Thomas and Jade sat quietly, projecting a unified front of calm dignity.
When the judge called the courtroom to order, the prosecutor did not even need to call witnesses.
He simply played the high-definition security footage on the large courtroom television.
Even after seeing it a dozen times, the sound of the slap still made the jury members flinch in horror.
Carol’s public defender tried to argue that it was a moment of temporary frustration, but the judge quickly shut him down.
"Mrs. Davis, I have presided over this court for twenty years," the judge began, leaning over the bench with a look of utter disgust.
"And I have rarely seen a display of such cruel, calculated entitlement against a defenseless toddler."
Carol stared at the table, a single tear of genuine regret finally falling down her wrinkled cheek.
"You prioritized a piece of breakfast meat and your misguided sense of family pride over the safety of your own grandchild."
The judge slammed his gavel down, the sound echoing like thunder in the silent room.
"I am sentencing you to two years in state prison, followed by five years of probation."
He then looked directly at Thomas and Jade, offering a small, respectful nod.
"Furthermore, I am granting a permanent, lifetime restraining order; you are never to come within five hundred yards of Zoey, Jade, or Thomas again."
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As the bailiff led Carol away in chains, she looked back at her son, hoping for a final glance of sympathy.
Thomas simply turned his back on her, wrapping his arm around his wife and walking out into the sunlight.
