Chapter 21 - THE PLEA OFFERS
Prosecutors offered separate resolutions.
To Brielle:
Admission that she intentionally blocked Tessa from reaching June while knowing Eudora had taken the infant against Tessa’s wishes.
Admission that she had participated in a coercive effort to pressure Tessa into giving her temporary caregiving authority.
No admission she intended June to contact fire.
Recommended:
Short custodial exposure potentially served under local structured conditions.
Probation.
No contact with June absent later court approval.
Counseling.
Restitution for therapy and documented costs where legally appropriate.
Brielle wanted one phrase removed:
“Knowing Eudora was using the infant to coerce Tessa.”
She claimed she believed Eudora was simply taking June away from the argument until the moment of release.
Video timing made that plausible enough to contest.
No deal.
Eudora’s offer was more serious.
Admission:
She intentionally took June without parental consent.
Carried her to the active fire pit.
Released her while knowing the act created a grave risk of injury.
She had also participated in a plan to pressure Tessa into an unwanted caregiving arrangement.
No requirement to admit she intended to burn or kill June.
Recommended:
Multi-year custodial sentence.
Probation after release.
No contact with June during sentence and supervision absent extraordinary later order.
Eudora refused:
“Grave risk.”
She said:
“I knew Alphonse would catch her.”
The prosecutor said:
May you like
“Then tell it to a jury.”
Trial.
