Five months later, the city supreme court building was surrounded by news trucks, press reporters, and curious onlookers. Inside the courtroom, Gwendolyn sat at the defense table in a bright orange jail jumpsuit, her hands chained to a leather belt around her waist.
Richard sat in the front row of the gallery in a dark navy suit, holding Clara's hand as the prosecutor stood up to address the jury.
Prosecutor Miller: "Members of the jury, what you are about to see is a terrifying display of cold, unadulterated human greed."
Gwendolyn's defense attorney stood up, raising his hand in protest.
Defense Attorney: "Objection, Your Honor! My client was suffering from severe emotional stress and postpartum depression!"
Judge: "Overruled! The prosecutor may present Exhibit A."
Prosecutor Miller pressed a button on his remote, and the giant display screen in the courtroom lit up with the 4K security footage from the Vance estate foyer.
The entire courtroom went dead silent. The clear, crisp video showed Gwendolyn standing on the balcony, looking down to verify the floor was empty, and then grabbing little Maya and shoving her over the edge with the words: "Oops! Bye-bye little one!"
Gasps of utter shock and horror rang through the jury box. Several female jurors broke down in tears, covering their eyes as Maya's terrifying screams echoed through the courtroom speakers.
Gwendolyn slammed her chained hands against the wooden desk, screaming hysterically.
Gwendolyn: "Turn it off! That video is fake! He framed me! Richard set me up!"
Judge: "Order in the court! One more outburst from the defendant and she will be bound and gagged for the remainder of this trial!"
Clara was called to the witness stand next. She took the oath, wearing a dignified black dress, her voice steady and clear as she looked the jury in the eye.
Prosecutor Miller: "Ms. Clara, can you describe what happened after you caught the toddler?"
Clara: "Gwendolyn ran down the stairs, yelled that it was an accident, and then tried to yank Maya away from me. When I refused to let go, she slapped me three times across my face."
Prosecutor Miller: "And did she show any remorse or concern for the child's safety at any point?"
Clara: "None at all. She only cared about whether the cameras were recording."
The jury deliberated for less than fifteen minutes before returning to the courtroom with their final, unanimous decision.
Judge: "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
Jury Foreman: "We have, Your Honor. On count one, attempted first-degree murder, we find the defendant guilty. On count two, felony child abuse, guilty. On count three, insurance fraud, guilty."
Gwendolyn let out a blood-curdling scream as the judge slammed his wooden gavel down hard onto the bench.
Judge: "Gwendolyn Vance, for your monstrous, calculated, and heartless actions against an innocent toddler, I sentence you to forty years in state prison without the possibility of parole."
The bailiffs grabbed Gwendolyn by her shoulders and dragged her out through the side door. She kicked and screamed, cursing Richard's name, but Richard didn't even turn his head to watch her go. He simply hugged Clara tightly, knowing justice had finally been served.