Chapter 12 - GRETCHEN’S TRIAL
The criminal case remained about Bodie.
Not trusts.
Not land.
The prosecution played exterior video.
Gretchen taking the stuffed moose.
Throwing it into snow.
Shoving Bodie through the door.
Locking it.
Bodie pounding.
Sixteen minutes.
Stellan inside.
Leland inside.
No adult opening the door.
The jury heard temperature data.
Fourteen degrees.
Wind.
Mild hypothermia diagnosed.
No frostbite.
No permanent injury.
Gretchen testified.
“I intended to bring him inside after he calmed down.”
“When?”
“Shortly.”
“Why lock the door?”
“So he would stop running back inside.”
“He was wearing pajamas.”
“He had a cardigan.”
The courtroom went silent.
Then:
“Why had he been denied dinner?”
“He was disruptive.”
“He asked for food.”
“He interrupted adults.”
“He was five.”
Gretchen’s lawyer argued poor judgment.
Correct, partly.
The prosecution argued reckless exposure.
Also correct.
She was convicted of child endangerment and misdemeanor assault-related conduct.
One more serious felony count requiring proof she intended major injury ended in acquittal.
I was relieved.
Truth did not require maximum punishment.
Sentence:
Custodial term partly suspended.
Probation.
No-contact order with Bodie.
Parenting and child-safety intervention.
Permanent exclusion from unsupervised child contact unless future court modified.
My own slap case:
I had already resolved it.
Fine.
Course.
No jail.
At sentencing, Gretchen said:
“I wanted him to learn that families require discipline.”
The judge answered:
“Children require adults who understand the difference between discipline and retaliation.”
Bodie did not attend.
He was building a snowman with my sister.
Wearing:
Thermal pants.
Snow boots.
Hat.
Gloves.
Coat.
May you like
He chose to go outside.
That distinction mattered more than court.
