Chapter 22 - HELENA REFUSES THE PLEA
The prosecutor offered Helena a negotiated resolution.
Admission to:
Forgery.
Attempted custodial interference through deceptive documents.
Misdemeanor battery involving Celeste.
Probation with a custodial component because of premeditation and pregnancy-related intimidation.
No claim Helena attempted to kidnap Leo.
No claim she intended physical injury to him.
No permanent forfeiture of all family assets.
Protective orders.
Treatment.
Restitution.
Helena refused.
Why?
She would not admit the custodial plan was unlawful.
Her words:
“I was preserving the Ravello heir.”
Her lawyer tried to stop her from repeating that outside privileged settings.
She kept repeating it.
The case went to trial.
Then one family elder asked me to pressure the prosecutor.
I said no.
He asked me to pressure Helena to plead.
Also no.
“Why?”
“Because neither one works for me.”
He looked confused.
Apparently the concept was new.
Then:
“You’re letting strangers decide your mother’s future.”
I looked at Leo sleeping against Celeste’s chest.
“No.”
May you like
“She chose what the state gets to prosecute.”
That ended the conversation.
