Chapter 9 - THE TRIAL AND THE SENTENCE
Six months later, the central county courthouse was besieged by hundreds of reporters, television broadcast trucks, and members of the public as the joint criminal trial of Evan Vance and Peter Montgomery reached its final verdict.
I sat in the front row of the gallery, flanked by Clara and Mark Callahan. Sophie was safely at home with her favorite nanny, spending the afternoon baking chocolate chip cookies, completely insulated from the harsh realities of the courtroom.
Judge Arthur Vance—no relation to Evan, but a jurist known for his uncompromising severity in white-collar and violent crime cases—banged his heavy wooden gavel to call the court to order.
"In the matter of the State of New York versus Evan Vance," the jury foreperson, a stern woman in her fifties, stood up and unfolded the verdict slip.
"On Count One, Conspiracy to Commit First-Degree Murder, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On Count Two, Solicitation of Capital Homicide, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On Count Three, Attempted Murder by Poisoning, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty."
"On Counts Four through Nine, Corporate Wire Fraud, Grand Larceny, and Witness Intimidation, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty on all counts."
Evan slumped back into his leather chair at the defense table, his eyes staring blankly at the polished oak floorboards. His high-priced defense attorneys packed their briefcases in complete silence, having already collected their retainer fees and knowing there was nothing left to fight for.
The foreperson then read the verdict for Peter Montgomery: guilty of accessory after the fact to murder, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and corporate fraud.
Judge Arthur Vance did not wait for a separate sentencing hearing. He looked down from his high bench, his piercing gaze sweeping across the two convicted felons.
"In my thirty-four years on the bench," Judge Vance stated, his voice booming through the silent courtroom, "I have rarely witnessed such a disgusting display of greed, betrayal, and premeditated depravity. You, Evan Vance, used the sacred bond of marriage as a weapon to execute a mother and rob an orphaned child of her father’s legacy."
The judge leaned forward.
"For the crime of Capital Murder Conspiracy, I sentence you, Evan Vance, to Life in Prison without the possibility of parole. You will serve this sentence at the maximum-security correctional facility in Upstate New York, with no eligibility for clemency or administrative reduction."
Evan didn't move. He sat like a stone statue as the bailiffs snapped heavy steel cuffs around his wrists and ankles.
"As for you, Peter Montgomery," Judge Vance continued, turning his wrath upon my brother, "you sold your own flesh and blood for the price of gambling debts. For your role in facilitating this conspiracy, you are sentenced to twenty-five years in state prison, with no consideration for parole before serving eighty-five percent of that term."
Peter broke down into loud, pathetic wails as the bailiffs hoisted him up by his chains and led him through the holding door.
As the courtroom adjourned, Detective Ross and the lead prosecutor walked over to me, smiling broadly.
"It's finished, Elena," Ross said, shaking my hand warmly. "Justice was served completely today. David can finally rest in peace."
May you like
"Thank you, Marcus," I said, a deep, profound sense of closure finally settling into my soul. "For everything."
---
