Chapter 16 - THE TRIAL OF THE MERCER NAME
The criminal trial drew national attention.
Eleanor pleaded guilty to fraud, falsification of medical records, conspiracy, and filing a false theft accusation.
Her cooperation reduced her sentence.
Adrian went to trial.
The prosecution presented the hotel-sale plan, the stolen will, the attack on Mateo, and the theater recording.
Mateo testified about the gala footage.
His mother testified about Leah’s birth.
Julian testified about the forged letter and false death report.
Leah testified last.
Adrian’s attorney approached.
“You now control shares worth hundreds of millions.”
“They are held in an independent trust.”
“You benefited from this investigation.”
“I discovered my father and lost the story my mother allowed me to believe.”
“You received money.”
“I also received twenty-eight years of evidence showing my life was treated as a financial threat.”
The attorney displayed the photograph from the locket.
“You carried this into the gala.”
“Yes.”
“You wore the matching brooch.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Mercer donors would be present.”
“I was hired to decorate the room.”
“You expect this jury to believe the discovery was accidental?”
Leah looked toward Eleanor.
The older woman sat in the gallery awaiting sentencing.
“Mrs. Mercer believed it was accidental.”
“That is why she panicked.”
The attorney moved to another subject.
“Did Julian Mercer offer you money after the gala?”
“He offered to reimburse my mother’s expenses.”
“I refused.”
“Why?”
“Because money can correct a balance sheet.”
“It cannot raise a child.”
Adrian was convicted of fraud, conspiracy, theft, obstruction, and ordering the assault on Mateo.
Eleanor received three years in federal custody and permanent removal from charitable management.
Adrian received eleven.
At sentencing, he looked toward Leah.
“You destroyed a family over a photograph.”
Leah shook her head.
May you like
“No.”
“The photograph showed what your family had already destroyed.”
