I The Jury Book Novels & Stories

Patricia was on the phone, murmuring something about appeals and psychiatric evaluations, while Jonathan stood silently beside Maxwell, who hadn’t moved in what felt like forever. I wanted to reach for him, to say something, anything, that would break through the silence sitting between us. But words felt useless now. Then, at last, the door opened. The bailiff stepped out, holding a sheet of paper. His expression was unreadable. “The jury has reached a decision,” he said. My heart stuttered. We followed him back inside. The courtroom looked exactly as it had before, same cold air, same heavy stillness, but it felt different now. Final.

“Yes.” “Okay go ahead.” The jury foreman unfolded a bit of paper. My arms were folded and I was shitting it. My stomach was doing somersaults and my heart was beating out of my chest. I turned to look at Dimitri but he was looking directly at the jury foreman.

I look at the woman that has always been a second mother to me, “I’m sorry that you had to hear all of that, and I’m trying to make it up to her, but I need you to know that we have never made any videos, I promise you that.” She smiles, “I believe you, Jace. Let’s hope that the jury does too.” We both glance over at the twelve jurors that are walking back to their seats. It’s hard to tell what they are thinking. I saw sympathy when Kaylee was up there, but also when Ella was up there telling her account of the attack. I think it can go either way at this point, and that’s not good. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Will the jury foreperson please stand? Judge Karoline instructs. A man, who is sitting with the other jurors, wearing a navy blue suit tuxedo with a white dress shirt underneath stands on his feet as he fixes his blazer. Judge Karoline then asks, “Have you reached a verdict?” The Jury Spokesman stands and states, “Yes your Honor. We have reached the final verdict.” “Members of the jury on the case of Jake Ashton versus Lindy Swanepoel and Calvin Richardson, what do you say?” Judge Karoline asks.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this case is about justice. It’s about holding accountable a woman who betrayed her own family for greed and power. But more importantly, it’s about redemption for Victoria Lancaster, who has endured unimaginable pain because of these false accusations. Today, you have the power to right that wrong.” I swallowed the lump in my throat as she continued. Elias squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with silent encouragement. This was it—the moment we had been fighting for. The judge’s voice broke through my thoughts. “The jury will now deliberate.” As the jurors filed out of the courtroom, a heavy silence settled over the room. I leaned into Elias, my voice barely

I whispered and my hand balled into fist after reading those words. “Are you going to take this case, Atty. Zarmeda?” —Azureriel

But I just kept up with the flow. “Yes sir. We are.” Blake Heely stood up, and recited the events of the murder incident to the jury as if she had memorised it whole heartedly. Heely is good, I will give that to her, the way she made the whole incident sound like it all led to only one person, Kate. I’m pretty sure the jury believe her already. Lord help me here.

As the trial concluded with a guilty verdict for Joseph, the courtroom erupted into a flurry of murmurs and whispers. Well, it was what Sherly, George, Kyle, Keisley, Hideous, and the rest on their side expected, especially Hideous and the President. When they got the verdict, they did not even show a surprise expression. With solid and profound evidence presented in court, the verdict has already been decided.

“Savannah Anderson, you chose a path that led to the suffering of innocent people. Your attempts to silence those who crossed you, to manipulate situations to your advantage, have led to this moment. Your lack of remorse only deepens the severity of your crimes.” Turning to the jury, Judge Williams nodded before addressing them directly. “Members of the jury, your verdict has been noted, and it is clear that you have thoroughly considered all aspects of this case. Your decision, based on the facts presented, has been weighed heavily by this court. The defendant’s actions were deliberate, and the consequences of those actions demand a fitting response.”

The jury listens. I watch their faces, desperate to read them. One woman bites her lip, torn between sympathy and doubt. A man who nodded yesterday now frowns, his certainty shaken. The younger juror scribbles furiously, his pen scratching like thunder. Another juror, older, leans back with arms crossed, his gaze narrowing on Canum as if weighing every word. My stomach twists. My breath comes shallow. Phantom’s hand tightens around mine, his thumb stroking my knuckles, grounding me.