Chapter 12 - THE COUNTER-ATTACK BEGINS
The federal court,
was packed full,
of media people,
and curious crowds,
waiting for trial.
Vanessa was led,
into the room,
wearing heavy chains,
around her wrists,
looking very small.
She looked toward,
the front row,
seeing Caleb sitting,
with old Arthur,
and brave Olivia.
Olivia wore beautiful,
simple blue dress,
looking radiant clear,
holding her belly,
with absolute grace.
Vanessa flashed look,
of pure hatred,
but she checked,
herself very quickly,
fearing the judge.
The prosecutor stood,
opening the case,
playing Maya's video,
on big screen,
for all see.
The violent hair,
pulling was shown,
the cruel words,
echoed through court,
shocking the jury.
Then the letters,
about military plot,
were read aloud,
proving her guilt,
without any doubt.
Vanessa's lawyer tried,
to argue stress,
and mental breakdown,
but judge stopped,
him right there.
"This was premeditated,"
the judge stated,
"a cruel attack,"
"on pregnant woman,"
"and national security."
Vanessa began weeping,
shaking her head,
realizing no excuse,
would save her,
from heavy sentence.
She looked at,
her father Charles,
who sat far,
in back corner,
looking away cold.
He had abandoned,
her completely now,
to save his,
own small skin,
from Arthur's wrath.
The betrayal she,
had shown Olivia,
was now returned,
by her family,
leaving her alone.
The jury left,
the room fast,
returning in minutes,
with the verdict,
of guilty clear.
On all counts,
felony assault charges,
and federal conspiracy,
she was convicted,
by unanimous vote.
The judge told,
her to stand,
looking down stern,
preparing to deliver,
the final punishment.
"You are menace,"
the judge said,
"to society today,"
"using your wealth,"
"to hurt others."
"I sentence you,"
"to fifteen years,"
"in federal prison,"
"without any parole,"
"starting right now."
Vanessa screamed aloud,
collapsing on floor,
as guards pulled,
May you like
her away fast,
crying in vain.
