The Trial of Victoria Bennett
Chapter 13 - The Trial of Victoria Bennett
The prosecution began with the birthday video.
Lily holding the package.
James kneeling.
Victoria taking the gift.
The brown parcel falling into the trash.
Jurors watched Lily retrieve the drawing and the envelope fall free.
No physical violence occurred.
The cruelty remained unmistakable.
Sarah testified about the forged trust.
Bankers explained Box 317.
The engineer described the cut brake line.
Marcus testified about the sabotage.
Dr. Reeves testified under a plea agreement, admitting he prepared false psychological reports and the guardianship petition.
Marta testified about discarded letters and removed photographs.
James testified last.
Victoria’s attorney suggested he blamed her to protect his reputation.
James agreed that his reputation had been damaged.
“Then you benefit from presenting yourself as deceived.”
“I was deceived. I was also negligent.”
The attorney paused.
James continued.
“Her guilt does not require my innocence.”
Victoria watched him without expression.
Lily did not testify in open court. Her recorded forensic interview was admitted with strict protections.
She described the gift, the trash bin, and Victoria’s earlier warning:
If you keep bringing your mother into this house, your father will leave you too.
The jury convicted Victoria of conspiracy in Anna’s death, trust fraud, obstruction, attempted guardianship fraud, and witness manipulation.
She received thirty years.
At sentencing, she looked at James.
“I did love you.”
May you like
He believed her.
That did not change the sentence.
