Two months later, the municipal courthouse was packed with news cameras, high-society journalists, and curious citizens eager to watch the sentencing of Victoria Sterling.
Victoria sat at the defense table dressed in an orange inmate jumpsuit, her hair unwashed and her hands bound by heavy iron wrist restraints.
Julian sat in the front row of the gallery, looking sharp and composed in a navy suit, holding his sister's old silver locket tightly in his right palm.
Judge Reynolds: Court is now in session. We are here for the formal sentencing of Victoria Sterling in the matter of state prosecution for attempted murder and child abuse.
District Attorney: Your Honor, the state presents the complete HD security footage recovered from the defendant's residence on the day of the incident.
The prosecutor clicked a remote control, and the large television monitors on the courtroom wall lit up, showing the scene in agonizing clarity.
The entire gallery gasped as the video played—showing Victoria standing near the American flag, raising the crying baby over the balcony edge, and deliberately letting go before Julian slid across the floor to catch her.
Judge Reynolds: That is quite enough. Turn it off.
District Attorney: Your Honor, the video speaks for itself. The defendant showed a complete lack of human empathy, placing a helpless six-month-old infant in direct mortal danger for financial gain.
Judge Reynolds: Defense counsel, does the accused have anything to say before I pass sentence?
Victoria's court-appointed attorney stood up slowly, clearing his throat with a look of utter defeat.
Defense Attorney: My client maintains that she suffered a momentary panic attack, Your Honor... but she recognizes the severity of the situation.
Victoria: Your Honor, please! I am a woman of high standing! I was under immense pressure after my husband's death!
Judge Reynolds: Silence, Ms. Sterling!
The judge slammed his heavy wooden gavel against the desk, his face red with outrage as he looked down at the woman in orange.
Judge Reynolds: I have presided over criminal court for thirty-two years, and rarely have I witnessed an act so cold, calculated, and devoid of human decency. You attempted to destroy a infant's life simply to satisfy your own disgusting greed.
Victoria: It was an accident! You have to believe me!
Judge Reynolds: The video evidence clearly demonstrates intentional malice. Therefore, on the charge of attempted murder, I sentence you to twenty-five years in state prison without the possibility of parole!
Victoria: NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! JULIAN, TELL THEM! SAVE ME!
Judge Reynolds: On the charge of grand larceny and fraud, I sentence you to an additional ten years, to run consecutively!
Victoria: AHHH! JULIAN! YOU RUINED MY LIFE!
Two court bailiffs grabbed Victoria by her shoulders, lifting her up from the defense table as she screamed and kicked violently against the floor.
Bailiff: Quiet down, inmate! Walk!
Victoria: YOU STOLE MY FORTUNE, JULIAN! YOU STOLE EVERYTHING THAT WAS MINE!
Julian stood up slowly from the gallery bench, looking Victoria dead in the eye as she was dragged past him toward the holding cell doors.
Julian: You did this to yourself, Victoria. Enjoy your new home.
Victoria: I CURSE YOU, JULIAN! I CURSE YOU AND THAT BRAT!
The heavy iron holding cell doors slammed shut with a deafening metallic boom, cutting off her hysterical screams once and for all.
Julian took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling a profound sense of relief wash over his entire body as the courtroom emptied out around him.