Chapter 9 - The Trial of Corrine Sterling
Six months later.
The trial of the State of Minnesota versus Corrine Sterling reached its final, dramatic conclusion.
Sloan had taken a plea deal three weeks earlier, pleading guilty to felony burglary and accessory to assault, receiving a seven-year state prison sentence and testifying under oath against her mother.
Corrine, refusing to accept any responsibility, had forced a full jury trial, gambling that her image as a frail, wealthy grandmother would sway the twelve jurors.
She was wrong.
I sat in the front row of the spectator gallery holding Alora’s hand. Alora looked radiant, restored to health, holding our two-month-old daughter, Grace, who slept peacefully wrapped in a soft white cashmere blanket.
The jury foreperson, a stern-faced retired teacher, stood up holding the verdict sheet.
"In the matter of the State versus Corrine Sterling," the foreperson read aloud, "on Count One: First-Degree Burglary with a Dangerous Weapon... We find the defendant GUILTY."
Corrine slumped in her chair, a soft, strangled gasp escaping her lips.
"On Count Two: Aggravated Battery on a Pregnant Person... We find the defendant GUILTY."
"On Count Three: Attempted Grand Larceny in the First Degree... We find the defendant GUILTY."
"On Count Four: Felony Extortion... We find the defendant GUILTY."
Gable dropped his head into his hands. Corrine looked frantically around the courtroom, her eyes searching for anyone who might offer a shred of sympathy.
Judge Beatrice Vance adjusted her robes and looked down at the defense table with absolute, unyielding coldness.
"Corrine Sterling," Judge Vance declared, "you have demonstrated a complete absence of remorse, a shocking level of malice toward your own family, and a predatory greed that nauseates this court."
Judge Vance slammed her heavy wooden gavel onto the desk.
CRACK!
"On Count One, you are sentenced to twelve years in state prison. On Count Two, you are sentenced to eight years, to run consecutively. Total sentence: TWENTY YEARS in the Minnesota Department of Corrections, without eligibility for parole for fourteen years."
Corrine let out a loud, blood-curdling shriek as two bailiffs stepped forward, snapping steel handcuffs onto her wrists and pulling her toward the iron holding doors.
"THANE!" Corrine screamed, her face contorted in tears as she was dragged away. "LOOK AT YOUR DAUGHTER! LET ME SEE MY GRANDDAUGHTER! THANE! PLEASE!"
May you like
I didn't move. I didn't say a word.
Alora gently leaned her head against my shoulder, placing her hand over mine as we watched the heavy iron doors slam shut behind Corrine Sterling forever.
