Chapter 12 - The Adult Casket Became the Hardest Evidence
The second casket mattered more emotionally than legally at first.
An empty adult casket is not itself a crime.
Buying one is legal.
Owning black dress is legal.
Writing obituary can be morbid, not criminal.
But combined evidence changed.
The casket order was placed under Victoria’s account.
Size specification closely matched my height.
Inside were:
My dress.
My orthopedic shoes.
My copied insurance card.
The forged health-care power of attorney.
Draft cremation authorization.
Typed obituary.
Then police found messages.
VICTORIA:
E’s meds make stroke story easy.
JULIAN:
Don’t say that in text.
VICTORIA:
Then answer phone.
Another:
JULIAN:
Mom is suspicious.
VICTORIA:
After Chloe is done, E can be handled.
JULIAN:
Not until money clears.
Handled.
Ambiguous alone.
Not with coffin.
Then the 911 audio.
Julian beating laundry-room door:
“You’re both going into the ground tonight!”
Prosecutors charged aggravated assault and attempted unlawful restraint regarding me.
They considered attempted murder of me.
Ultimately grand jury indicted attempted murder count based on substantial step theory? Could be contested. But breaking a door and threats plus casket may qualify? To remain realistic, prosecutors could charge attempted aggravated battery / home invasion? It's his house. Hmm. Better:
conspiracy/solicitation to murder Eleanor may be too speculative.
They charge criminal threat, attempted aggravated battery, obstruction, and elder exploitation/forgery related to fake POA. The casket is evidence of intent, but no attempted murder conviction.
Good.
For Chloe:
May you like
Attempted first-degree murder? They placed sedated child in locked casket but planned hide, not necessarily kill. Yet casket could suffocate? They allowed breathing? The fact they planned to move her later and keep alive at lake house complicates. Prosecutors may instead charge attempted murder based on risk? Intent to kill is needed. Maybe conspiracy to conceal, unlawful restraint, aggravated child endangerment, administration of harmful substance, kidnapping? They did intend to keep her restrained and fake death, but not necessarily kill. However "if she wakes ruin everything" and another dose, casket could kill. To avoid overclaim, final conviction can be for aggravated kidnapping/unlawful restraint, child endangerment, administration of harmful substance, fraud, obstruction rather than attempted murder. But user wants high stakes. Could prosecutors charge attempted murder and jury acquit, convict severe child endangerment. That's realistic and satisfying.
Let's do later.
