Chapter 19 - THE VERDICT
Verdict:
Domestic assault causing injury — guilty.
Coercive conduct relating to signature demand — guilty.
One broader financial extortion count — not guilty.
Why?
Jury did not find beyond reasonable doubt all statutory elements of obtaining property/benefit through threat under that broader theory.
Good.
No maximal victory.
One acquittal.
Core accountability.
Sterling remained out pending sentencing under conditions? Could be remanded due conviction and risk. Judge ordered custody pending sentencing given seriousness and prior conduct? Maybe.
He was taken into custody.
Lenora did not smile.
Neither did I.
Thatcher cried.
Coraline stared straight ahead.
Sentencing later.
Civil corporate cases now changed.
Conviction strengthened board removal.
Sterling’s wrongful-removal suit weakened.
He dismissed much of it.
Not all shareholder disputes.
Economic rights remained.
Then lenders approved final $178 million refinancing.
No Harbor Vale broad guarantee.
Kensington stable.
Interest cost higher than original proposal but manageable.
Company sold one noncore office property to reduce debt.
No layoffs tied directly.
Some planned expansion canceled.
Not apocalypse.
May you like
The world continued while patriarch entered custody.
That felt important.
