Chapter 14 - The Final Courtroom
Six months after his initial conviction, Sergio’s appeal hearing was scheduled at the federal district court.
Mariana sat in the back row of the gallery, dressed in a sharp navy suit, her evidentiary folder resting on her lap. When the bailiff led Sergio into the room, he looked thinner, his skin pale, his orange jumpsuit hanging loosely over his shoulders. But the moment his eyes landed on Mariana, that familiar, venomous sneer twisted across his face.
The presiding magistrate, a stern judge who had reviewed every audio file and medical report, banged his gavel.
“Mr. Morales, your defense counsel has submitted a motion for a retrial based on family conspiracy,” the judge announced coldly. “Before we hear your arguments, the prosecution has submitted a supplementary exhibit: a threatening letter sent to the primary witness forty-eight hours ago.”
Sergio’s face drained of color. He stopped struggling against his cuffs, his eyes darting wildly toward the bench.
“Let the record show,” the judge continued, lifting the paper Mariana had submitted, “that the defendant has actively violated prison communication protocols and issued direct physical threats to a minor.”
May you like
The judge didn’t even wait for the defense to speak.
“Motion denied. Sentence extended by an additional three years. Take him away.”
