Chapter 17 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
We all filed back into the courtroom, the tension thick in the air.
The foreman stood up and handed the paper to the judge.
"On the counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and embezzlement: Guilty."
"On the count of aggravated assault: Guilty."
"On the count of reckless endangerment: Guilty."
My mother collapsed against the defense table, wailing loudly.
My father just stared straight ahead, completely broken.
The judge did not show an ounce of mercy.
He sentenced them both to twenty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of early parole.
They would spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
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They were handcuffed and led away.
I didn't say goodbye.
