Chapter 17 - The Judgment
The day of final sentencing arrived with absolute finality. The federal courthouse was silent as the judge took the bench to deliver the ultimate verdicts for the Montgomery family.
Deborah, Richard, and Travis stood side-by-side in their orange jumpsuits, their wrists shackled to their waists.
"The actions of the defendants in this case represent a level of calculated cruelty and callous disregard for human life that shocks the conscience of this court," the judge declared, his stern voice echoing off the high wooden ceilings. "To poison a pregnant mother, to lock her inside a home during a critical medical emergency, and to abandon her for petty material gain is an act of pure evil."
The judge began reading the sentences:
"Deborah Montgomery: For Attempted Premeditated Murder, Poisoning, and Federal Racketeering, you are sentenced to 45 years in state prison without the possibility of parole."
Deborah let out a choked, desperate cry and collapsed onto the defense table, but the marshals dragged her back up to face the bench.
"Richard Montgomery: For Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Money Laundering, and Pension Fraud, you are sentenced to 30 years in federal penitentiary."
"Chloe Montgomery: For Reckless Endangerment and Receiving Stolen Assets, you are sentenced to 8 years in state custody."
Finally, the judge turned his gaze onto Travis.
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"Travis Montgomery: For Criminal Endangerment, Aggravated Neglect, and Conspiracy, you are sentenced to 25 years in state prison."
Travis did not cry. He did not scream. He simply bowed his head, accepting the dark fate he had brought upon himself the moment he turned his back on his dying wife for a leather bag.
