Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The jury deliberated for less than three hours.
When the court reconvened at 4:00 PM on Friday, the atmosphere in the room was thick with tension.
"Will the defendants please stand and face the jury?" Judge Harold Thomas ordered sternly.
Daniel and Vanessa stood up. Daniel’s legs were shaking so violently that his attorney had to support his elbow. Vanessa stood rigid, her lips pressed into a thin, pale line.
"In the matter of the State of North Carolina versus Vanessa Hale," the jury foreman read aloud, "on Count 1, Attempted First-Degree Murder, we find the defendant... Guilty."
Vanessa let out a sharp, strangulated gasp, her knees buckling as her attorney caught her.
"On Count 2, Corporate Fraud and Grand Larceny, we find the defendant... Guilty. On Count 3, Conspiracy to Commit Feticide... Guilty."
The foreman moved to the second document.
"In the matter of the State of North Carolina versus Daniel Mercer... on Count 1, Accomplice to Attempted First-Degree Murder... Guilty."
Daniel closed his eyes, a low, broken groan escaping his chest.
"On Count 2, Corporate Embezzlement and Forgery... Guilty. On Count 3, Spousal Endangerment... Guilty."
Judge Thomas lowered his glasses and looked down at the two defendants with cold, unyielding authority.
"Vanessa Hale," Judge Thomas declared, "for your lead role in this heinous, predatory scheme, you are hereby sentenced to thirty-five years in the Central Prison of North Carolina, without the possibility of parole for twenty-five years."
Vanessa began to scream, flailing against the guards as they grabbed her arms, dragging her toward the holding cell door. "No! This isn't fair! Daniel was the one who signed the papers! It was his idea! Let me go!"
Her shrieks faded as the heavy steel door slammed shut behind her.
Judge Thomas then turned his gaze to Daniel.
"Daniel Mercer," the judge said softly, his voice heavy with contempt. "You were entrusted with the love, health, and protection of a woman who gave you her trust and was carrying your children. Instead, you betrayed her in the most vile manner imaginable, allowing your vanity and greed to blind you to human life."
The judge adjusted his papers.
"You are hereby sentenced to twenty-two years in state prison," Judge Thomas ordered. "Furthermore, all parental rights regarding Ethan and Liam Mercer are permanently severed. You will have no contact, directly or indirectly, with Claire Mercer or her children for the remainder of your natural life."
The gavel hit the wooden block with a loud, final CRACK.
Daniel was cuffed by the guards. As he was led away toward the side door, he looked back one last time at Claire.
Claire stood up from her seat in the gallery.
She looked directly into Daniel’s eyes. She didn't look angry. She didn't look vengeful.
She looked completely, utterly indifferent—as if looking at a stranger she had never known.
May you like
She turned her back on him, reached down into the double stroller, and lifted little Ethan into her arms while Sarah lifted Liam.
Daniel was pulled through the heavy metal door, the lock clicking shut behind him, sealing him into the darkness he had created for himself.
