Chapter 17 - Evidence Before Trial
Lenora refused plea.
She would accept simple battery.
Not child endangerment.
Why?
The word suggested she endangered him.
She still believed shallow water was safe.
Trial scheduled.
Evidence:
Beach video.
Lifeguard testimony.
Cade's prior forensic/clinical disclosures used carefully; prosecution tried not to call him live.
Pierce’s texts.
Lenora’s notebook.
Full plan.
CPS findings not automatically admissible for every purpose, but some witnesses/documents were.
Defense would argue Pierce authorized.
Absolutely.
Pierce would testify.
I would too.
My kick would come in.
Fine.
Then prosecutor offered final plea:
Guilty misdemeanor child endangerment.
Dismiss battery count.
Probation.
No jail recommendation.
Lenora refused.
Trial.
Before trial she wrote Pierce:
If I am convicted, remember you asked me to do it.
He showed me same day.
No reply.
Good.
Then he said:
“She’s not wrong.”
I looked at him.
“She’s wrong about total responsibility.”
He nodded.
“I asked.”
“Yes.”
“She escalated.”
“Yes.”
“Both.”
“Yes.”
May you like
That was our family’s hardest word.
Both.
