Chapter 23 - THE WEDDING VIDEO PLAYS IN COURT
Vanessa’s trial began eight months after Sofia’s birth.
The jury watched the fountain video.
Champagne spill first.
Server turning.
My elbow.
Accident.
Vanessa’s accusation.
Following me.
Shove.
My body entering water.
Owen frozen.
Dad arriving.
Dad pulling me out.
Vanessa shouting about stain.
Champagne tray.
Everything.
No editing out my father’s retaliation.
Good.
Vanessa’s lawyer argued:
I had antagonized her.
I had communicated with Cecily.
I had accused Owen of lying.
I had threatened to tell Daniel.
All true except “threatened” was stronger than my words.
Did any justify shove?
No.
But motive matters.
Then medical testimony.
Pregnant twenty-six weeks.
Fall into shallow fountain.
Hip/back injury.
No fetal injury.
No placental abruption.
No membrane rupture.
No premature labor.
Sofia born healthy at term.
The prosecutor did not imply Vanessa nearly killed the baby.
Thank God.
The crime did not need invented tragedy.
Then Cecily’s incident.
Separate but joined where court allowed based on pattern/motive? Legal joinder can vary. For narrative, suppose charges tried in same proceeding after court found common plan/identity? Could be challenged. Better the court consolidated because offenses were related by evidence of motive and same defendant but with limiting instructions. We can state judge gave careful instructions.
The fitting-room video reflection played.
Vanessa moving.
Cecily falling.
Then text:
I barely touched her.
Not:
She tripped.
May you like
Barely touched.
The first crack in the lie.
