Judge Miller: State of Texas versus Evelyn Vance. Case number 4092. The defendant stands accused of attempted capital murder of a minor.
Prosecutor: Your Honor, the state presents video footage, audio recordings, and insurance documentation showing a deliberate, calculated attempt to drown a two-year-old child for financial gain.
Defense Lawyer: Your Honor, my client was suffering from severe emotional distress and made a tragic lapse in judgment. We ask for leniency and probation with mandatory counseling.
Judge Miller: Leniency? Counselor, your client shoved a defenseless baby into deep water and watched her drown while making disparaging remarks about inheritance money. That is not a lapse in judgment. That is cold-blooded cruelty.
Evelyn: Your Honor, please! I was terrified! I panicked!
Judge Miller: Silence in this courtroom! Mrs. Vance, you showed zero remorse until you were caught on camera.
Prosecutor: The state requests the maximum penalty allowed by law, Your Honor.
Judge Miller: Having reviewed the overwhelming physical evidence and listening to the recorded dialogue at the scene, this court finds you guilty on all counts.
Evelyn: No! Marcus, tell them to stop!
Judge Miller: I sentence you to twenty-five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Corrections, without the possibility of parole for the first fifteen years.
Evelyn: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS?! NO! MARCUS! HELP ME!
Marcus sat on the courtroom bench next to his mother, his hand wrapped tightly around Eleanor’s. He didn't look away as the court bailiffs stepped forward and placed heavy iron chains around Evelyn’s wrists and ankles.
Eleanor: It’s over, Marcus. The nightmare is finally over.
Marcus: She’ll never touch our family again, Mom.
Evelyn: YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! MARCUS! I LOVED YOU!
Marcus: You loved the money. And now you have twenty-five years to think about what it cost you.
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