Chapter 16 - The Verdict
After four days of intense testimony, forensic presentations of the kitchen camera footage, and the damning revelation of Clara Vance’s cold-case murder file, the jury deliberated for less than three hours.
At 4:15 PM on Friday afternoon, the buzzer echoed through the courthouse. The jury had reached a verdict.
I sat beside Laura Chen, my hands resting calmly on the mahogany table. Across the aisle, Ryan sat flanked by two armed bailiffs, his breathing shallow and erratic.
Judge Vance entered, her expression grave. 'Has the jury reached a verdict?'
The foreperson stood up, holding a stiff manila envelope. 'We have, Your Honor.'
She handed it to the bailiff, who passed it to the judge. Judge Vance unfolded the paper, read it silently, and nodded once.
'On the count of attempted murder in the first degree against Ryan Sterling: Guilty.'
A collective gasp swept through the gallery. Ryan buried his face in his cuffed hands, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
'On the count of conspiracy to commit domestic violence and murder against Diane Sterling: Guilty.'
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'On the count of first-degree premeditated murder in the cold case of Clara Sterling: Guilty.'
Judge Vance looked down from the bench, her voice ringing with finality. 'Ryan Sterling, you are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Diane Sterling, you are sentenced to forty years in federal penitentiary. Court is adjourned.'
