Chapter 14 - The Verdict"Will the defendant please rise," the judge ordered.
Diego stood up, his knees visibly shaking. His hands were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"In the matter of the State of Colorado versus Diego, on the charge of Second-Degree Felony Assault, how do you find?"
The jury foreperson, a stern-looking man in his fifties, stood up and read from the paper.
"We, the jury, find the defendant, Diego... Guilty."
A collective gasp went through the courtroom. Victoria let out a loud sob, collapsing against Richard’s shoulder.
Diego looked as though he had been hit by a physical blow. He staggered back, his face completely devoid of color.
"The defendant will be remanded into custody immediately pending sentencing," the judge declared, slamming her gavel.
Two bailiffs immediately stepped forward, grabbing Diego's arms and placing him in handcuffs. He didn't look at his parents. He didn't look at his lawyer. He looked at me, his eyes filled with a desperate, pathetic pleading.
May you like
But I turned my back on him.
The man who had tried to break me was now being led away to a jail cell.
