Chapter 9 - The Indictment
The grand jury deliberation lasted a mere twenty-two minutes.
When the foreperson—a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a firm mouth—stepped back to the podium, the silence in the courtroom was absolute.
“On the charge of Aggravated Domestic Torture resulting in Third-Trimester Fetal Demise, against both defendants, how do you find?” the judge asked.
“True bill, Your Honor,” the foreperson replied clearly.
“On the charge of Unlawful Imprisonment and Conspiracy to Commit Manslaughter, how do you find?”
“True bill.”
The gavel came down with a sharp, explosive crack that signaled the end of my husband’s world.
Martha let out a strangled, incoherent wail behind the glass, clawing feebly at the partition before two bailiffs grabbed her by the arms, hauling her unceremoniously to her feet. Marcus didn't fight back; he sat paralyzed, staring blankly at the defense table as the steel handcuffs were ratcheted tightly onto his wrists once more.
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DA Vance walked over to my table, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. “It’s done, Elena. They’ve been formally indicted on all counts with zero possibility of bail. The trial will begin next month, but the evidence is insurmountable.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, watching as the deputies led my tormentors out through the heavy double doors at the back of the courtroom.
