Six months later, the Dallas County Courthouse was packed with local reporters, legal analysts, and national news cameras. Chloe Vance sat at the defense table in a dull orange jumpsuit, her blonde hair unstyled, her wrists chained to a heavy leather belt around her waist.
Across the courtroom sat Julian Vance, looking dignified in a dark charcoal suit, holding little Noah on his lap. Beside them sat Elena, wearing a neat tailored dress, ready to testify.
Judge Montgomery: "We are now in session for final sentencing in the State of Texas versus Chloe Vance."
Defense Attorney: "Your Honor, my client was suffering from severe post-nuptial psychological distress! We request a sentence of probation at a private medical facility!"
Prosecutor: "Your Honor, the state requests the maximum penalty under Texas law. The defendant systematically plotted to murder an infant for a fifty-million-dollar inheritance!"
The prosecutor hit a button on his podium, displaying the crystal-clear foyer video on the large flat-screen monitors mounted throughout the courtroom.
Judge Montgomery: "I have reviewed the video evidence multiple times in my chambers. The cold-blooded nature of this crime is unlike anything I have seen in my thirty years on the bench."
Chloe: "Your Honor, please! I was young and foolish! Julian neglected me!"
Judge Montgomery: "Silence! You threw an innocent, defenceless child off a balcony to satisfy your own grotesque greed."
The judge raised his heavy wooden gavel, staring down at Chloe with absolute condemnation.
Judge Montgomery: "For the charge of attempted capital murder, I sentence you to forty-five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice without the possibility of parole. Court is adjourned."
The heavy wooden gavel slammed down with a resounding crack that echoed off the high courtroom walls.
Chloe: "NO! JULIAN, PLEASE! TELL THEM TO STOP! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!"
Chloe shrieked and thrusted her body back and forth as two armed bailiffs grabbed her by her arms, dragging her screaming through the side exit doors toward the holding cell below.
Julian: "It's finally over. Justice has been served."