Chapter 24 - DORINDA’S TRIAL
Dorinda chose a bench trial.
No jury.
The kitchen video played.
Strike.
My body against counter.
Knee.
Her mouth moving without audio.
Then security audio from a nearby hall microphone captured fragments.
Not every word.
My phone call did because Dad’s line had remained open briefly.
"Dad... please save me and the baby!"
Then Preston:
"Hang up! You don't leave this house!"
Dorinda’s exact threat came from my testimony and two staff witnesses nearby.
No need invent perfect surveillance.
Dorinda testified.
"Why were you holding the rolling pin?"
"I had been preparing pastry."
True.
"Why strike Camille?"
"I lost control."
"Why?"
"She was accusing Preston of stealing."
"Was she wrong?"
Dorinda looked toward her son.
"I believed the money would be repaid."
"That was not the question."
Silence.
Then:
"Did Camille authorize using pregnancy reimbursements for Preston’s company?"
"No."
"Did you know that?"
"Yes."
There.
"Why call her disrespectful?"
Dorinda’s face tightened.
"Because she was going to walk out before Orlando arrived."
"Was she free to leave?"
"Yes."
"Did you behave like it?"
"No."
Then the rolling pin.
"Did you intend to break Camille?"
"No."
"Did you intend to frighten her?"
"Yes."
"Did you know she was seven months pregnant?"
Dorinda almost laughed from disbelief at the obviousness.
May you like
"Of course."
That ended most of the legal argument.
