Justice In The Heartland

Bitter Consequences

Date: Thursday Febuary 17, 2022
Coldwater District Court, Coldwater Indiana.

Maddy Nycewander never expected this would be where she spent the afternoon of her 20th birthday. A nightmare it had all been. A young person never expects this kind of tragedy to befall them. However, the Bridgewater Falls Homecoming Queen had delivered herself before this court for sentencing on one count of manslaughter.

The young lady was lost in a nightmare she couldn't wake from. She looked across the courtroom to her father. In the m daddy had seemed like he could work magic. Whenever a problem had befallen her, Daddy was always there to make things right. There was that time in 8th grade when a B+ in French class was going to keep her from making the A-Honor roll. The students who made the Honor Roll were being rewarded with a trip to Paris. Daddy magically saw to it that her B+ became an A-. Maddy made the A-Honor Roll and went to Paris.

Or further back when Maddie was in 5th grade. Her and another student were in big trouble for stealing and cheating, after taking the teacher's answer key for an upcoming exam. She was looking and expulsion in addition to receiving corporal punishment. Daddy came through for his baby girl once again. came to his princess's rescue. Some parents grumbled but it was soon forgotten.

But this was something beyond what her daddy could fix. He'd done everything in his power to help his little angel. But this time, there was only so much he could mitigate. A person had died! This was way out of his league for fixing.

It was an accident. That was not in question. But not an accident without magor criminal negligence. This was manslaughter. This was a catastrophe of Miss Nycewander's making. Her and some friends had been enjoying a summer day at the local lake. Maddy had borrowed her father's boat. She was a skilled pilot and had driven the craft on multiple occasions. But alcohol was involved. Way too much alcohol. This wasn't the first time Maddy had drank while piloting the boat. In fact, her experience and skill may have contributed to her assurance that she was in control that afternoon.

This was textbook of the type of tragedy you never see coming. One minute you're having a good time with ypur friends on the water and the next minute you've caused an accident. There are people on the water that are injured or possibly dead! When the police arrive you begin to realize how very serious this all is! Then when you think it couldn't get any worse they've pulled a white sheet up over someone's head!

As Matty sat waiting to face Judge Blackwood, her entire body trembled. Judge Blackwood was an intimidating figure. Matty had been warned ahead of time what to expect from him. Her attorney informed her that he was going to lay it on her thick during sentencing. That she should expect it, understand that it's just part of the process. He was going to do it, and knowing that it was coming could be used to nullify his effect. Matty wasn't so sure now that she had witnessed him in action. And he hadn't even addressed her directly yet!

Matty was wearing a look on her face that explained exactly how she felt. She would've almost been in shock if it wasn't for her state of surreal awareness. Up until literally moments before, she had believed her daddy might still rescue her somehow. But that hope had abandoned her. She was now experiencing a kind of regret that was nearly painful.

The courtroom was full. There were relatives of the victim. Maddy's family of course were all on hand. But there were also spectators. They may have known someone involved but not well enough. As indicated before, they were spectators. Like those who might attend a football game. Coldwater was a town of only 35,000 souls and this was an event.

"Would the defendant, Matilyn Nycewander, please rise," Judge Blackwood commanded the defendant in a voice so low and resonant one could feel it vibrate the very air itself.