Chapter 23 - THE VERDICT
Daniel was convicted on most major counts.
Repeated aggravated assault.
Unlawful restraint.
Forgery.
Fraud related to trust requests.
Child-endangerment offenses.
Pregnancy-related assault resulting in the fetal death under the count the prosecution proved.
He was acquitted on one narrower count alleging an intent the jury found insufficiently established.
I was grateful for the acquittal.
That surprised people.
Why?
Because truth mattered more than maximum punishment.
I did not need the jury to claim he intended every consequence.
He intended enough.
At sentencing, I spoke about Noah.
That was the name I had given my son privately.
“You spent months saying you wanted a boy. Then you learned he was one and decided it did not matter because he did not come with money.”
Daniel cried.
I continued.
“Noah’s worth was never his sex. Emma and Lily’s worth was never their trust. My worth was never whether I obeyed you.”
Daniel received a lengthy custodial sentence, restitution, forfeiture related to fraud proceeds, and protective orders.
May you like
Not infinite.
Enough to remove him from our daily lives for many years.
