Chapter 14 - Brent’s Second Story
After old phone appeared, Brent asked to retake stand.
His lawyer fought against.
He did anyway.
He said he had forgotten second phone because unused.
6:37 call?
He now remembered Kevin called him? Records showed outgoing from Brent.
He corrected:
“I must have called.”
What about “too late”?
“I meant Rachel had already left driveway.”
Draft note?
He claimed:
“I was terrified Kevin’s bad work caused crash. I was thinking about liability.”
If she survives, I’ll say Kevin messed up.
That could mean blame mechanic.
If not, none matters.
Cold but perhaps not murder confession.
Jury listened.
Porter did not overplay.
She asked:
“Why did you tell police no recent service?”
“I panicked.”
“Why tell Rachel car was completely safe?”
“I believed it was.”
“Why tell Kevin too late?”
“She was gone.”
“Why follow route?”
“I got coffee.”
“Why delay 911?”
“I panicked.”
“Why delete Kevin messages?”
“I panicked.”
“Why pay Kevin?”
“To help him.”
“Why write contingency note?”
“Panic.”
Porter paused.
“How many separate acts can panic explain before it becomes a plan?”
Objection.
Argumentative.
Sustained.
Jury had already heard.
Defense rested.
Closing arguments.
Porter:
“This case does not ask you to convict Brent Carter because he was cruel in July. That assault is separately resolved. It asks what happened in September.”
Good.
She separated.
Then:
“He had motive: exposure of fraud.
He had means through Kevin.
He knew Rachel’s meeting.
He told Kevin she was leaving.
He told Rachel car was safe.
He followed route.
He delayed calling.
He paid Kevin.
He concealed service.
He wrote, ‘If she survives.’”
No single miracle.
Pattern.
Monroe:
“Kevin caused mechanical condition. Kevin lied repeatedly. Financial fraud is not murder. An ugly note is not an instruction. Brent’s panic after wife’s crash is not proof beyond reasonable doubt of intent to kill.”
Also good.
Then he emphasized:
Brent told Kevin only make car unreliable, not lethal.
Even Kevin said that.
Could jury find intent to kill?
Prosecution argued Brent knowingly sent me onto road in dangerous vehicle after being warned not to let me drive.
Intent can be inferred from knowingly creating deadly risk? Attempted murder usually requires specific intent. Need strong evidence from draft and "she won't get far". Could still.
Jury deliberated two days.
I stayed home second day.
I could not sit in courthouse waiting.
At 2:17, Megan called.
“Verdict.”
I went.
Wheelchair lift in van.
Dana drove.
Courtroom full.
Brent entered.
Did not look at me.
Jury foreperson stood.
Attempted murder:
Guilty.
Conspiracy related to vehicle tampering:
Guilty.
Bank/wire fraud counts:
Guilty.
Forgery:
Guilty.
Some lesser document count merged/dismissed.
I heard words.
Did not feel victory.
My hands shook.
Brent finally looked at me.
For first time since crash, he could not tell anyone my memory was confused.
May you like
Twelve jurors had looked at evidence.
And believed the plan existed.
