The Trial Of Raymond Sterling
Chapter 13 - The Trial Of Raymond Sterling
Raymond’s trial began eight months later.
Charges included fraud, forgery, elder exploitation, arson conspiracy, obstruction, and attempted theft of trust property. The courtroom evidence filled weeks.
The hospital chart.
The false notary stamp.
The camera recording.
The debt purchase.
Mabel’s letters.
The electrical contractor.
Sterling’s surveillance sedan.
Lucas’s emails.
The altered trust copy.
Raymond maintained that every decision served economic development.
He described Walter as sentimental, Lucas as weak, and the Saints as vigilantes who manipulated public opinion.
Mack testified in a dark suit without his vest.
Raymond’s attorney asked whether his biker club threatened Lucas.
“No.”
“Did you place your hand on Walter Finch?”
“Yes.”
“Was that intended to intimidate?”
Mack looked at the jury.
“It was intended to let an old man know he wasn’t alone.”
The courtroom remained still.
Lucas testified next.
Raymond’s attorney exposed every compromise he made. Lucas accepted each one.
When asked whether he was blaming Raymond to save himself, Lucas replied, “I am blaming him for what he did and myself for what I did.”
That distinction held.
The jury convicted Raymond on every major count.
Before sentencing, he spoke about jobs the transport center would have created.
Walter submitted no statement asking for harsh punishment.
He asked the court to recognize everyone harmed, including Mabel, employees, patients whose medical privacy was abused, and the community whose land was treated as an obstacle.
Raymond received a long prison sentence and restitution order.
Outside court, reporters asked Walter if justice tasted sweet.
He shook his head.
May you like
“Coffee tastes sweet if you ruin it.”
Then he returned to the diner for the afternoon shift.
