Chapter 9 - The Trial
The joint trial of Julian Mercer and Chloe Vale lasted exactly four days.
Neither of them testified. There was no need. The prosecutor played the security footage in the courtroom on a massive screen.
I sat in the front row, holding Maya's favorite stuffed bear, watching the jury's faces as they witnessed Chloe yanking my screaming daughter by the hair while Julian sat on the couch in the background, scrolling through his phone, ignoring her cries.
Two jurors openly wept. The judge looked like he wanted to jump over the bench and strangle them both.
When the verdict was read, there was no suspense.
"On the charges of felony child abuse, we find the defendant, Chloe Vale, guilty."
Chloe collapsed into her chair, sobbing hysterically, begging the judge for mercy.
"On the charges of felony child endangerment and criminal negligence, we find the defendant, Julian Mercer, guilty."
Julian didn't react. He just stared blankly at the wooden table.
The sentencing was swift. The judge gave Chloe fifteen years in a state penitentiary. He gave Julian seven years, with a mandatory minimum of five before parole eligibility.
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As the bailiffs clicked the heavy steel handcuffs onto Julian’s wrists, he turned his head and looked at me one last time. He opened his mouth, perhaps to apologize, perhaps to beg.
I didn't give him the chance. I stood up, turned my back on him, and walked out of the courtroom into the bright Seattle sunlight.
