Chapter 15 - The Two Verdicts
The jury deliberated one full day and part of the next.
Denise was convicted of elder financial exploitation, identity related fraud, theft of selected property, and assault relating to the diner incident.
Some narrower counts tied to specific bank transactions were not guilty where the prosecution could not eliminate the possibility her earlier power of attorney created temporary apparent authority.
Good.
Law separated.
She was also convicted of attempting to interfere with evidence through efforts to obtain the diner receipt and security deletion? The receipt attempt alone maybe not charge. Better obstruction based on trying to buy deletion. Let's state:
One obstruction count connected to attempting to induce deletion of diner surveillance was guilty based on manager testimony and messages.
A broader count alleging she had completed fraud against the full trust was not guilty.
She had never accessed the trust.
No imaginary loss.
Then Lauren’s sentencing came first.
She stood before judge.
“I stole from my mother.”
No euphemism.
“I used Denise as excuse because it was easier to be the follower than admit I wanted the same thing.”
Then:
“I knew Mom was hungry.”
She cried.
“That is the part I cannot explain away.”
I spoke.
“Lauren hurt me.”
Then:
“She also told the truth before trial.”
Then:
“I am not asking the court to erase either.”
The judge sentenced Lauren to twenty months incarceration followed by supervision and restitution obligations.
Some time credits as law permitted.
Not probation.
Not years beyond proportion.
Then Denise.
The prosecution emphasized planning and violence.
Defense emphasized caregiving history, no prior convictions, age, and genuine services she provided.
I gave statement.
“Denise was a good daughter many days.”
She looked at me.
“She drove me to chemotherapy appointments with Walter.”
Wait Walter had cancer? He died maybe heart? We haven't specified. Could say “she sat with me during Walter’s final hospitalization.” Better.
“She sat with me during Walter’s final hospitalization.”
Then:
“She also took my food, my money, my property, and tried to make disagreement look like incapacity.”
Both.
“I do not want a sentence based on hatred.”
Then:
“I want a sentence based on what she did.”
The judge sentenced Denise to six years incarceration, followed by supervision and restitution.
Longer than Lauren due assault, leadership, obstruction, and greater financial conduct.
Then restitution.
The exact amount reflected verified unrecovered losses.
Not trust value.
Not eighteen million.
Social Security.
Jewelry.
Unauthorized transfers.
Card charges where proven not for me.
Medical expenses from burn.
Some professional costs where allowed.
Bank reimbursements and recovered property offset.
No double recovery.
Then Denise asked to speak.
“Mom.”
I looked.
“I’m sorry.”
Was she?
Maybe.
Then:
“Did you ever love me?”
The courtroom went silent.
I answered:
“I still do.”
She cried.
“Then why?”
“Because love is not a reason to lie to a judge.”
She nodded.
Then was taken away.
I sat afterward with Samuel.
“It’s over?”
“Criminal trial.”
“Restitution?”
“Continues.”
“Appeal?”
“Possible.”
“Estate?”
He looked at me.
“That part is yours.”
Finally.
Not court.
Not prosecutor.
Not daughters.
Mine.
I went home.
May you like
Opened Walter’s old estate binder.
And for the first time since the diner, I was ready to decide what happened to the fortune everyone had been fighting over.
