Chapter 8 - The Trial
The courtroom was packed. The media had dubbed it the "Mansion Monster Trial."
Brandon and Judith Vale sat at the defense table, both wearing ill-fitting jail-issued jumpsuits. They looked aged, terrified, and entirely broken.
Emily took the stand. She didn't look down. She didn't cry. Supported by months of therapy and the unyielding presence of her father in the front row, she detailed every moment of the abuse. She spoke about the shed, the cold mud, the smashed phone, and the absolute terror of realizing the man she married was a monster.
Then, the prosecution played the tape of the hitman confessing.
Brandon’s defense attorney didn't even bother to cross-examine Emily. There was nothing to defend.
When the jury foreman stood up to read the verdict, the silence in the courtroom was deafening.
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“On the charge of aggravated assault, guilty. On the charge of kidnapping, guilty. On the charge of wire fraud, guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder... guilty.”
Judith collapsed into sobs. Brandon simply stared blankly ahead, his life entirely eradicated.
