Chapter 16 - THE VERDICT AND SENTENCING
After only forty-five minutes of deliberation, the federal jury returned to the courtroom with a unanimous verdict.
The court clerk stood up, reading the official judgment into the court record as national television networks carried the audio live.
"On count one, child endangerment, we find the defendant Julian Sterling guilty!" the clerk announced clearly.
"On count two, felony assault, guilty! On count three, destruction of evidence, guilty! On count four, federal tax fraud, guilty!"
Victoria buried her face in her hands, weeping hysterically as the guilty verdicts stacked up against her family one by one.
Judge Harold Vance looked down from the bench, his expression stern and completely devoid of mercy for the fallen tycoons.
"Julian Sterling, you are sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole," Judge Vance ruled firmly.
May you like
"Victoria Sterling, for your role in evidence tampering and tax fraud, you are sentenced to fifteen years in prison," he added.
Deputies instantly cuffed their wrists, leading them away through the heavy rear doors of the courtroom to begin their sentences.
