Chapter 13 - THE TRIAL OF THE DECADE
Three months later, snowy Manhattan streets were jammed with news crews covering the opening day of the federal trial.
Victoria arrived at the federal courthouse wearing a conservative black suit, trying desperately to project innocence to the jury.
The prosecutor opened the state’s case by placing the red disposable lighter on the witness stand inside a protective plastic display case.
"This three-dollar plastic lighter was used as an instrument of unimaginable torture against a defenseless child," the prosecutor declared.
The jury turned their heads to stare at Victoria, their expressions hardened with immediate moral disdain.
When Dr. Miller took the witness stand, he displayed high-resolution medical photographs of Lily’s burn injury on large courtroom screens.
Members of the public gallery gasped in horror at the visceral evidence of cruelty displayed before them.
Victoria’s attorney attempted to argue that the injury was an accidental burn caused by a hot bath fitting.
However, forensic burn analysts quickly dismantled the defense's theory with precise scientific measurements of flame contact patterns.
Julian sat in the front gallery row every single day, his presence an unyielding reminder of justice waiting to be served.
On the trial's fourth day, the prosecution called their final and most critical witness to the stand.
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The courtroom doors opened, and Mrs. Gable walked down the aisle with her head held high and proud.
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