The Trial of Daniel Vale
Chapter 11 - The Trial of Daniel Vale
Vale’s trial lasted five months.
Prosecutors charged him with kidnapping, conspiracy, evidence tampering, illegal dumping, attempted murder, and abuse of office.
His attorneys portrayed Mara as unstable, Cole as mentally impaired, and the Iron Wolves as criminals seeking revenge.
Then Ellie testified by recorded interview.
She described the farmhouse, the escape trail, and Vale promising she could see her mother if she surrendered the card.
The jury heard Vale’s own voice.
Mara testified next.
Cole testified with a medical advocate beside him.
Jack testified last.
Vale’s attorney asked whether the Iron Wolves had ever broken laws.
“Yes,” Jack said.
The attorney smiled.
“So this court should trust admitted criminals?”
“No. Trust the recordings, chemical tests, deeds, bank transfers, and children who kept asking questions.”
The jury convicted Vale on every major count.
During sentencing, Vale addressed Ethan.
“I protected our family.”
Ethan answered from the gallery.
“You protected the version where you were never wrong.”
Vale received multiple life sentences.
Judge Marcus Hale and several deputies were arrested later.
Vale Development’s assets were frozen for cleanup and victim compensation.
The sheriff’s office removed the Vale family portrait from its lobby.
Mara objected.
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The portrait was returned with a plaque explaining the crimes.
Erasing a face, she said, made repeating the story easier.
