Chapter 19 - THE MASTERMIND’S FALL
After deliberating for just under three hours, the jury returned with their verdict.
The courtroom was dead silent as the foreperson stood up, holding a white envelope.
"In the matter of The State v. Chloe Vance," the foreperson read clearly, "on the count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
"On the count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
"And in the matter of The State v. Helen Vance, on the count of Accessory to Attempted Murder and Criminal Conspiracy, how do you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, Your Honor."
Helen Vance buried her face in her handcuffed hands, letting out a muffled sob, while Chloe stared blankly at the defense table, her jaw clenched so tight her teeth clicked.
Two weeks later, at the sentencing hearing, Judge Margaret Holloway delivered the final judgment without a shred of leniency.
"Chloe Vance, for the crimes of attempted premeditated murder and conspiracy, I sentence you to twenty-five years in federal and state penitentiary without the possibility of parole for the first fifteen years," Judge Holloway announced. "Helen Vance, for your role as co-conspirator and accessory, you are sentenced to twelve years."
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As the bailiffs placed cuffs on both women and escorted them out of the courtroom toward the holding cells, Richard Vance—who had already pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and embezzlement to avoid a separate trial—was simultaneously sentenced to eighteen years in a federal maximum-security prison across state lines.
The Vance dynasty was officially finished.
