Chapter 19 - The Verdict and the Fall of the Empire
The courtroom fell into a breathless,
suffocating silence as Judge Sterling entered and took her seat behind the bench.
“Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?” Judge Sterling asked,
looking directly at the foreperson.
“We have,
Your Honor,
” the foreperson replied,
standing up and holding a white envelope aloft.
He handed it to the bailiff,
who brought it up to the judge.
Judge Sterling opened the envelope,
scanned the printed paper inside with careful deliberation,
and then looked up at Arthur Vance.
“On Count One: Felony Attempted Administration of Intoxicating Substances,
how do you find the defendant?” Judge Sterling read aloud.
“Guilty,
Your Honor,
” the foreperson answered firmly.
“On Count Two: Corporate Extortion and Embezzlement,
how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty,
Your Honor.
”
“On Count Three: Obstruction of Justice and Witness Intimidation,
how do you find the defendant?”
“Guilty,
Your Honor.
”
A collective gasp rippled through the packed gallery.
Arthur Vance sat frozen at the defense table,
his face turning an ash-grey color as the reality of his total destruction washed over him.
All counts.
Guilty across the board.
“Arthur Vance,
” Judge Sterling said,
her voice cutting through the courtroom with absolute authority.
“In light of the severity of your crimes,
your systematic abuse of power,
and your complete lack of remorse,
I sentence you to thirty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.
”
The gavel came down with a sharp,
resounding crack that echoed like a gunshot through the silent chamber.
Thirty-five years.
Arthur Vance would spend the rest of his natural life behind bars,
stripped of his wealth,
his status,
and his freedom.
Two federal marshals stepped up behind Arthur,
grabbing him firmly by the shoulders and jerking him to his feet.
As they snapped the handcuffs back onto his wrists and led him away toward the holding cells,
Arthur cast one final,
venomous glare in my direction.
I did not flinch,
nor did I look away.
I met his hateful stare with calm,
unyielding strength.
May you like
The monster of Arlington was gone,
and the nightmare was finally over.
