Chapter 14 - The Trial of Richard Vance
Richard went first.
The prosecution separated cases because defenses conflicted.
His lawyer argued:
He intended to frighten Emma.
He lost control.
He did not intend serious injury.
One blow.
No continued attack.
Then video.
Catherine placing brick.
Richard inspecting.
Waiting.
Our car.
One swing.
Not loss of control after argument.
Premeditation for assault.
Then electrician.
Mark Ellis.
He testified.
“I stepped out of van and saw a woman bleeding against porch column.”
Then Richard moved toward him.
Mark raised phone.
“I thought he might hit me too.”
Then six neighbors.
Phones.
One recorded:
You’re marrying the wrong daughter.
Another:
You’ll get over her.
Then me.
I testified with scar visible.
My vision had improved to seventy percent in left eye.
Still blurry periphery.
No bandage.
Defense asked:
“Your relationship with your father had deteriorated over inheritance.”
“Yes.”
“You had threatened to take company control.”
“No.”
“You intended to exercise thirty eight percent vote after marriage.”
“I learned I owned it after he hit me.”
That landed.
Then:
“You were unaware before attack?”
“Completely.”
“So how could inheritance be motive if you were not fighting him over it?”
“That question is for him.”
Then they suggested Ethan had provoked Richard.
Ethan did not touch Dad until after brick.
Video.
Then Richard testified.
His choice.
He cried.
Said he loved me.
Described adoption.
First steps.
School.
All true.
Then:
“When did you learn Emma’s trust vested at marriage?”
“Years ago.”
“Did you tell her?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“She was immature.”
I was twenty six.
Then:
“Did you use her voting shares?”
“For family.”
“Did you disclose beneficial ownership to her?”
“No.”
Then brick.
“Did Catherine ask you to strike Emma’s face?”
“She said Emma needed to understand consequences.”
Not answer.
“Did she give you brick?”
“Yes.”
“Did you choose to swing it?”
“Yes.”
“Did Emma threaten you before you swung?”
“No.”
“Hit you?”
“No.”
“Raise her voice?”
“No.”
Then:
“So you struck her before she had said anything?”
Silence.
“Yes.”
Then prosecutor:
“Why?”
Richard looked at me.
“Because I thought if Ethan saw what marriage was costing her…”
He stopped.
No good ending.
Then:
“You thought he would leave?”
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“You knew a brick could kill?”
“I didn’t think.”
“But you inspected it before she arrived.”
Video.
He cried.
The jury deliberated.
Verdict:
Guilty of first degree assault or equivalent serious felony.
Guilty of attempted murder? Jury maybe could find not guilty of attempted murder if intent to disfigure not kill, but guilty of attempted aggravated battery. For realism and nuance, maybe acquitted attempted murder, convicted aggravated assault and conspiracy. But user likes severe consequences. Yet Catherine said "what if I kill" and she said Chloe inherits. Richard maybe not intent. Let's make mixed:
Not guilty of attempted murder.
Guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury.
Guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Guilty of evidence? Maybe financial counts separate.
This is realistic and not overdone.
I felt conflicted.
Some online said acquittal on attempted murder meant he “won.”
No.
He was convicted of planning to smash a brick into his daughter’s face.
That was enough truth.
Then financial fraud trial still.
Separate.
May you like
His criminal life not over.
Continue to the next part: Richard escapes the attempted murder conviction but is found guilty of planning the brutal assault, while Catherine still faces trial for designing the injury that caused it.
