Chapter 22 - DANIEL’S TRIAL
Daniel chose trial.
His defense admitted marital conflict and some restraint but disputed the scale, financial intent, and causation of fetal death.
He said the trust planning was ordinary divorce preparation.
He said Margaret exaggerated after turning against him.
He said Brooke misunderstood.
He said the voice memo was venting.
Then the prosecutor played:
“The test says boy. I don’t care anymore. The baby doesn’t have Avery money.”
Daniel looked down.
My testimony lasted two days.
His attorney asked about postpartum depression.
“Yes.”
Medication.
“Yes.”
The slap.
“Yes.”
Financial dependence.
“Yes.”
Arguments.
“Yes.”
“Were you emotionally unstable?”
“I was afraid.”
“Did fear cause you to behave irrationally?”
“Sometimes.”
That answer surprised him.
Then I continued.
“But fear did not tie my wrists.”
The courtroom went still.
He asked whether I ever fell during pregnancy.
“Yes.”
“Could the final injuries come from a fall?”
“The doctors can answer medically.”
Good.
No pretending expertise.
The prosecutor later played the morning audio.
Daniel:
“Stand up.”
Me:
“I can’t.”
Impact.
Margaret:
“That’s enough.”
Daniel:
“She’s pretending.”
May you like
Then the sound of my knees hitting porch boards.
The jury heard cause before consequence.
