Chapter 23 - THE HEARING
Lenora’s criminal case did not become a grand trial.
The video was clear.
Her lawyer negotiated.
Factual admission proposed:
Lenora intentionally removed Elsie from a chair using physical force during a dispute about the family portrait, causing the child to fall and sustain minor injury.
Fine.
Then the prosecutor wanted:
The act was motivated by Lenora’s belief that Elsie’s adoptive status made her less entitled to participate as a family member.
Lenora resisted.
She wanted:
Dispute regarding portrait composition.
Again.
Purpose hidden inside neutral words.
The prosecutor declined.
The matter went to a short bench trial because Lenora would not accept the motive language attached to the harassment count.
The video played.
No dramatic jury.
Judge.
Lawyers.
Facts.
Matthew testified.
He described the shot list.
“NO ELSIE.”
The caption.
Continuing blood descendants.
Then me.
I admitted my slap.
Defense asked:
“Mr. Avery was violent too?”
“Yes.”
Good.
No edited hero.
Then Lenora testified.
“Did you intend to injure Elsie?”
“No.”
“Did you intend to remove her?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She was not part of the portrait category.”
“Who created the category?”
“I did.”
There.
“Was it approved?”
“No.”
“Did Dominic agree?”
“No.”
“Did the Foundation Board?”
“No.”
“Then why enforce it physically?”
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Lenora had no good answer.
Because there was none.
