Chapter 15 - THE ASSAULT SENTENCE
The state assault case reached sentencing before the federal fraud trial.
Diego had pleaded guilty to aggravated domestic assault involving a dangerous object.
His attorney presented remorse, counseling, lack of prior violence convictions, and cooperation.
The prosecutor presented the force of the strike, my injury, the planned witness confusion, and Diego’s advance after I called 911.
I spoke briefly.
“Diego’s family created the conditions around the assault. Diego chose the plate.”
He kept his eyes lowered.
“He says he loved me. I believe he experienced something he understood as love. That did not stop him from turning my home, name, work, and body into tools.”
I looked toward the judge.
“I do not ask for punishment because the marriage failed. I ask for a sentence that reflects intentional violence used to enforce financial control.”
The judge imposed a substantial prison term that would later be coordinated with any federal sentence. Diego received credit for time served but no probation-only outcome.
He was ordered to complete domestic-violence intervention and remain under a permanent protective order unless a future court modified it.
His cooperation would affect federal sentencing, not erase the assault.
Outside court, reporters asked whether I felt victorious.
“No.”
“What do you feel?”
“That the word accident is finished.”
Victoria’s assault on me had been verbal and strategic until dinner. Diego’s was physical.
The distinction remained.
My divorce became final as to marital status while property issues stayed reserved.
I restored my maiden surname professionally.
Valerie Sinclair.
The apartment remained titled to me.
Diego sought reimbursement for legitimate renovation contributions.
The court allowed him to present documented claims after restitution tracing.
I did not oppose every claim merely because I hated him.
Accuracy protected me too.
The Ashford redevelopment process restarted with an open request for proposals.
Three developers submitted plans.
One proposed full demolition.
One proposed partial expansion while preserving the historic façade.
One proposed no redevelopment, only financed repairs and sale of unused air rights to a neighboring site.
Residents divided again.
My founder vote could not decide the choice alone because the board adopted a rule requiring broader resident approval before I exercised special rights.
I supported the rule.
My grandmother designed a veto against coercion.
Using it as personal command would repeat another form of control.
The building’s repair reserve remained dangerously low.
The court released recovered shareholder deposits for specific repairs and victim claims.
Helen Marsh received temporary payments to maintain assisted living while her apartment interest was resolved.
No one received everything immediately.
Then a structural engineer discovered water damage beneath the roof terrace attached to my unit.
The damage came from unauthorized drilling during a Vance survey.
If unrepaired, it could affect the apartment below.
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My home had been physically altered without my consent.
The family had begun preparing the building for demolition before winning the vote.
