Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 83 Verdicts And Vendettas

Once back at Nate's, Jonah is the one to help me eat, shower and get ready for bed. I can't sleep well without a shower before bed and he knows that. Casey and Trisha both fell asleep on the couch watching TV so Evan takes the dog out around the block for me one last time before she is in for the night.

I feel bad I've been avoiding Trisha. It's not her. It's me. I can't focus on a relationship right now, nor do I want to lead her on and then find out I will have to go to jail and never see her. That would be awful. Instead, I've been distancing myself more and more so it won't hurt as bad. Because deep down, I really feel like they are going to make me serve time.

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"All rise!" The bailiff announces. 

If they decide to call me back up on the stand, I'm afraid of what will happen. Will I have another seizure? My body is so mentally and physically tired I don't know if I can handle another one so soon.

Judge Walter Capriotti enters the room, and we go through the morning routine before the trial begins. 

"As you all know, yesterday took a toll on Mr. Gallo's health. Mr. West and Ms. Landry, I'm familiar with your history. I know you both want to win. What lawyer doesn't? But this isn't about winning or losing. Not this case. Because no one comes out a winner. Both the victim, Nadine Jones, as well as the offender, James Gallo have lost. Ms. Jones lost her uncle in a tragic accident and Mr. Gallo has lost his own life in more ways than one with his physical disabilities. Due to health concerns, I am not going to call James Gallo back up to the stand."

Oh thank you God. But I'm not out of the woods yet. My freedom is still on the line.

"We are going to move this along for all involved. All evidence has been presented so we will now have our closing arguments before the jury takes the time needed to come to a verdict. Mr. West..."

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, I'm not here to persuade you to adopt my view of the case and the evidence. Like Judge Capriotti said, this isn't about evidence. We know James Gallo is guilty of Reckless Driving. He is responsible for the death of Malcolm Jones." Colton nods to Nadine while pacing the room.

"All Ms. Jones wants is hold him accountable, like we would for any individual who has killed another human being. I'm here to secure her the compensation she deserves for the loss she's endured. This is the United States. We have rules and laws for a reason. We need to hold James Gallo accountable for his actions."

Tears stream down my face as I listen. The guy is completely right. I took this lady's uncle away from her. Just because I'm fucking disabled doesn't disqualify me from jail time. I broke the law and now I need to pay the consequences. I continue to listen to the lawyer fight for his client.

"He ran a red light and killed a man. James Gallo needs to pay the price for his offense. Do what is right. Follow the law that has been put in place so this never happens again."

Colton sits down as Addison stands up.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The prosecution is right." She begins with a sympathetic look. "This ISN'T a guilty or innocent plea. This isn't about evidence or who did what. James Gallo IS Guilty. Mr. Gallo is guilty of working too many hours to help provide for his family financially. A man who never calls out of work, has never been in trouble with the law. He has a clean driving record. This is a man who was in a car accident." Addison goes on with her well-spoken speech but all I can think about is going to jail.  All I can thing about is the kind of people that the inmates are. Murderers, rapists, child abusers, violent men like my father.

And then there's me.

I ran a fucking red light.

"This is a HUMAN BEING, ladies and gentlemen. A human who requires a nurse 24/7 along with a medical dog. This man deserves the medical care he needs. He will not get the medical care needed in prison." She shakes her head and then hands me a tissue. I try to grasp it but fumble and it falls to the ground. Of course, everyone notices this, and I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks. Addison continues with her speech.

"Would you want to see your son or daughter, or mother, go to prison for one car accident? No. No, you would not. So yes, do the right thing. Do what you would want others do for you. Show sympathy for this struggling man. Do not put him behind bars. James Gallo does not belong in prison."

The judge dismisses everyone so the jury can talk and come up with a verdict. We were told this could take hours.  

Everyone files into the holding room and Casey puts Maggie's peepad down for the dog to use, then cleans it all up and properly disposes it. 

"James, is it ok if I take the dog for a walk around the building. She's going to need to burn some energy."

I stay nothing. I sit on the couch and drop my head into my hands.

"Go ahead, Case." Jonah sits next to me and pats my back.

"I try so hard in life to be good and do the right things." I mutter, not talking to anyone specific. "I try so goddamned hard!"

******

Hours go by before we are called back into the courtroom. I watch the jurors enter and take their seats. I've had this hard lump in my throat for days and now...

This is it.

This is the moment I find out my fate. I close my eyes and begin to pray in my head.

"Your Honor. We have reached a verdict." A short, chubby old says and I open my eyes. He hands the judge an envelope and I find myself holding my breath. 

Judge Capriotti furrows his brows before reading. "The verdict in the case of Nadine Jones vs. James Gallo for reckless driving resulting in the death of Malcolm Jones is..." He shakes his head and glances at me before looking back down at the document.

No. The look he just gave me ... oh my God, no.

"A fine of $1000.00, two points on your DMV driving record and following the laws of the state of California, a jail sentence of approximately one year for vehicular manslaughter."

******