Chapter 17 - Courtroom Arraignment and Drama
The federal courthouse in Manhattan was packed to absolute capacity as Judge Harrison took his high mahogany bench.
Elena Vance was led into the courtroom in chains, looking pale, exhausted, and broken without her personal stylist and makeup.
The flashbulbs of media cameras popped continuously from the press gallery, capturing every humiliating second of her downfall.
“Docket Number 4481: United States versus Elena Vance for federal wire fraud and interstate child endangerment,” the bailiff announced.
The prosecutor opened with a devastating summary of the evidence, including the secret room logs and financial transfers.
Elena’s public defender stood up nervously, attempting to argue temporary psychological distress due to high-society pressures.
Judge Harrison cut him off mid-sentence with a sharp, resounding bang of his heavy wooden gavel.
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“There is no pressure on earth that justifies locking a seven-year-old child in a dark cell,” the judge declared angrily.
“Bail is denied permanently; the defendant is remanded to maximum security custody pending trial.”
