Celeste on Trial
Chapter 13 - Celeste on Trial
Celeste faced charges for fraud, coercion, evidence manipulation, and participation in the planned guardianship.
Her attorneys argued that her mother and Victor designed the network before she was old enough to understand it.
That was true.
The evidence showed that Celeste later expanded it.
She selected Claire’s duplicate identity.
She arranged the Mercer evaluation.
She prepared the dinner agreement.
She began the affair partly to gain access to Julian and the Bennett fund.
Celeste testified that she eventually loved Julian.
Claire believed affection may have become real.
Real feeling did not cancel intentional deception.
The dining-room footage played.
The spilled soup.
The ultrasound images.
The pen.
Claire speaking clearly for the hidden listener.
Celeste’s expression when the doors opened.
The jury convicted her on most charges.
Before sentencing, she apologized to Claire.
May you like
Claire was not present.
An apology did not require access to the woman she had tried to control.
