Chapter 13 - Vanessa Testifies
Vanessa testified.
Against attorney advice, according to gossip.
She looked smaller.
No dark-red party dress.
Navy suit.
She admitted hitting Lily.
“I lost control.”
Prosecutor:
“Why?”
“She dropped cake.”
“Is dropping cake reason to strike child?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Vanessa cried.
“I was under extreme stress.”
“What stress?”
“Financial.”
“Because audit was starting?”
“Yes.”
“Because money was missing?”
“Yes.”
“Because you took it?”
Long pause.
“I borrowed money improperly.”
Prosecutor:
“Did Lily agree?”
“No.”
“Daniel?”
“Some.”
“Claire?”
“No.”
“Then why use her signature?”
Vanessa looked toward me.
“To make files complete.”
“Complete or deceptive?”
Silence.
“Ms. Parker.”
“Deceptive.”
There.
First direct admission.
Defense counsel closed eyes.
Prosecutor continued.
“Did you create fake records suggesting Lily had behavioral problems?”
“I exaggerated.”
“Why?”
“To support invoices.”
“Did you tell relatives Lily was difficult?”
“Yes.”
“Was that also to make invoices plausible?”
“Partly.”
I felt sick.
She said it.
Then prosecutor asked:
“When Lily dropped cake, what did you think?”
Vanessa cried harder.
“I thought everything I touched was falling apart.”
“And you hit her.”
“Yes.”
“Did she cause your financial problems?”
“No.”
“Did Claire?”
“No.”
“Did Daniel?”
Vanessa looked at brother.
“No.”
“What did?”
She whispered:
“Me.”
That did not erase crime.
But it mattered.
Then defense redirect:
“Did you intend to seriously injure Lily?”
“No.”
“Did you plan assault?”
“No.”
“Did you love your niece?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still?”
“Yes.”
Love.
Again.
Not defense.
Human context.
Financial counts still contested.
She claimed she intended repayment.
Evidence supported some intent to replace funds.
Legally perhaps not enough to negate fraud because taking through deception already occurred.
Jurors decided.
Guilty on assault-related count.
Guilty on several fraud/forgery counts.
Not guilty on one more complex conspiracy count involving Eric.
Mixed verdict.
Reality.
Vanessa collapsed crying.
Daniel cried too.
I held his hand.
Not because I forgave Vanessa.
Because my husband watched his sister become convicted.
Both.
Sentencing later.
Prison.
Restitution.
No lifetime destruction.
Substantial consequences.
Judge said:
May you like
“Intending to repay money does not authorize taking it, and loving a child does not diminish responsibility for striking her.”
Perfect.
