Chapter 18 - Courthouse Arraignment Exposes Shocking Family Criminal Acts
Three days later, the federal district courtroom was packed to absolute capacity for the formal criminal arraignment.
Judge Miller read aloud the expanded twenty-count federal indictment charging Elena with kidnapping, fraud, and racketeering.
Richard sat beside her, weeping softly as he realized his blind loyalty had cost him his freedom and his daughter.
“How do you plead to all counts, Ms. Parker?” Judge Miller asked in a cold, unforgiving tone of voice.
Elena stared defiantly at the press gallery, refusing to speak as her court-appointed defense attorney entered a formal plea.
“Not guilty, Your Honor,” the lawyer sighed, knowing the mountain of physical evidence made conviction an absolute certainty.
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“Remanded to federal custody without bail due to extreme flight risk,” the judge ruled, bringing his gavel down firmly.
Arthur Parker watched from the gallery, holding Lily close as the doors closed behind the fallen conspirators forever.
