Chapter 8 - The Trial
Months later, the case went to court.
Brooke was charged with aggravated assault.
Arthur faced charges related to obstruction and false reporting.
Captain Landry faced administrative and criminal scrutiny for evidence interference.
The courtroom was packed.
Brooke looked smaller than Clara remembered.
When Helena entered, Brooke looked away.
The prosecution presented the timeline.
2:11 a.m.
The argument.
2:14.
The assault.
2:17.
The call.
2:24.
Police arrival.
2:31.
The arrest.
2:40.
The medical request.
3:02.
The refusal.
3:18.
The ambulance.
Every minute mattered.
The defense tried to argue that Helena's memory was unreliable.
Then the prosecutor played the body-camera footage.
Brooke's voice filled the courtroom.
“She attacked me!”
Then Reynolds entered.
Then Arthur.
Then the medical examiner.
Finally, the recovered evidence was presented.
The baseball bat.
The wood fibers.
The photographs.
The medical records.
The case was overwhelming.
When the verdict came, Helena closed her eyes.
Brooke was found guilty.
Arthur was also convicted for his role in the false report.
Landry's case continued separately.
Outside the courthouse, reporters asked Helena how she felt.
She looked at Clara.
Then at the cameras.
“I don't feel victorious.”
May you like
She paused.
“I feel relieved.”
