“Go ahead Counselor,” Judge Riley said.
“In my twenty-five years as a prosecutor, I have never prosecuted an insane person who was able to plan an attack as elaborate as Justine Parker managed to do in this case. She planned for months, purchased plane tickets, and then talked two perfectly sane people into being a part of her plan.
No Your Honor, I beg to differ about Justine Parker’s sanity. I charge her as a scorned lover who sat alone in a condo paid for by the victim’s fiancé and created an intricate plot to kill Destiny Baker in order to get her out of the way. She lured Jacob Turner away from his house under the pretense that she was hurt. When she got Destiny alone, after purchasing a plane ticket and traveling from Miami to Atlanta, she knocked on her door and attacked Destiny repeatedly with the butt of her gun. Justine Parker was so ruthless that an officer had to shoot her down to get her to release Destiny Baker, before it turned into a hostage situation. If Justine Parker’s plan had worked, we wouldn’t be here talking about someone who was a little depressed and had a little anxiety, we would be talking about a cold-blooded murderer!”
Mason Balou walked to the center of the courtroom. “And this is not the only time Justine Parker has conspired to commit an intricate crime. The owner of Turner Enterprises has reason to believe Justine Parker is a collaborator in a scheme to embezzle a sum of twenty-two million dollars away from the company.”
“Your Honor, that is hearsay,” Justine’s lawyer said, jumping from his seat, while others gasped at the prosecutor’s accusations.
“Where are you going with this, Mr. Balou?” Judge Riley asked.
“I am showing that this is not an isolated event. Justine Parker has a personal vendetta to bring down anything attached to Jacob Turner and that includes Destiny Baker. She is livid about his decision not to be her lover anymore. This is nothing more than a crime of passion!”
“May I have the floor, Your Honor?” Justine’s lawyer interrupted. Judge Riley nodded. “My client is not on trial for any money that is missing from Turner Enterprises. As a matter of fact, I have no prior knowledge of any money missing from the said company. What we are here today to address is the guilty by reason of insanity plea that my client has entered, due to her inability to control her feelings of anxiety and depression after her breakup with Mr. Turner. This is what caused her mental breakdown and it is all stated in the depositions from three different trained professionals.”
“Do you have anything to add prosecutor?” Judge Riley asked.
“With the statements on the record describing how Justine Parker involved several people who were not mentally incapacitated into her plan to attack and kill the victim, I ask that the court reject the insanity plea and allow her to enter a guilty plea.”
Judge Riley asked a few questions of both the defense and prosecution and then said, “Thanks. You may both be seated. I am ready to render my judgment. I have reviewed the documents provided by the defense and the court finds that good cause is shown to enter the plea of guilty by reason of insanity,” Judge Riley said.
Destiny gasped and I gripped the corners of my seat as the judge continued, “Defense has made a good-faith effort involving mental health experts that have come to the conclusion the defendant is mentally incompetent. The most responsible thing to do here is to sentence her to a mental institution for a minimum of one year, longer if determined by medical officials.”
Justine sighed in relief. She smiled at me once the judge handed down the sentence. She tried to kill the woman I love and was going to get off in a straightjacket.
“I will also honor the defense’s request to have Justine Parker adhere to the strict medical regimen that has already been put in place by her psychiatrist. She will remain in the custody of her parents until arrangements have been made with the proper mental health authorities. Mr. Ron and Martha Parker, will you please stand?” Judge Riley ordered.
When Justine’s parents stood, they clasped onto each other’s hands. “Yes, Your Honor,” her father said.
Judge Riley peered over her glasses. “Do you accept the full responsibility of keeping Justine Parker under your direct supervision until such time that she must be turned over to the proper authorities?”
“We do, Your Honor,” Mr. and Mrs. Parker said in unison.
“Then this case is now adjourned,” Judge Riley said as she dropped her gavel onto the bench.
Destiny got up and walked briskly toward the door. I caught up with her, as she was walking down the hall. “This is not the end,” I said.
“She’s going to get away with time in the hospital, Jacob!”
“No she is not. We are going to fight this,” I told Destiny who continued to walk toward the door heading to her car.
“I just want to get out of this place and away from these people,” Destiny said.
Just about the time that we reached the door, I saw my mother walking out of the courtroom along with Justine and her parents. Mom looked at me standing with Destiny and then quickly turned her head.
“Tell you what, you head home and I’ll come by to see you later. I have to handle something,” I said, giving her a hug and quick kiss.
I walked toward Mom and her little gang. I caught up with them as they were exiting the side door of the courthouse.
“How does your arm feel?” I heard Mom ask Justine.
Justine held her wrapped arm protectively. “It’s okay, I just need to lay down and get some rest,” I heard her say.
“Mom, hold up a second. I need to talk to you before you leave.”
“Hey Jacob, I’m sorry about everything,” Justine’s father, said before being pulled away by Mrs. Parker who held her head high.
“Oh, look Martha. It’s Jacob,” Mom said sarcastically. “I was beginning to think he didn’t know who his rea