Chapter 16 - Court Hearing Reviews The Forged Signature And Assault Charges
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas courtroom was packed to capacity for the preliminary criminal hearing. Judge Harrison presided over the bench, reviewing the thick forensic evidence binders submitted by the state prosecutor. Daniel sat at the defense table in a wrinkled grey suit, refusing to look in my direction as I sat in the front row. Vanessa sat at a separate defense table with her own court-appointed attorney, glaring daggers at her husband across the aisle.
The prosecutor called forensic handwriting expert Dr. Alan Vance to the stand to testify about the quitclaim deed. Dr. Vance displayed high-resolution digital blowups of my real signature versus the crude forgery on the property title.
"The evidence confirms beyond any scientific doubt that the signature on the deed was traced and forged," Dr. Vance stated clearly. Next, the state played the 911 audio and presented the emergency room medical records documenting my four facial stitches.
Vanessa’s attorney attempted to argue that the wine glass toss was an accidental reflex during a family dispute. Judge Harrison interrupted the defense lawyer mid-sentence with a sharp, dismissive wave of his hand.
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"Counsel, throwing glassware at an elderly homeowner's face during a property dispute is aggravated assault, not an accident," the judge ruled sternly.
The courtroom murmured quietly as the weight of multiple felony counts pressed down heavily upon the defendants.
