Chapter 12 - The Trial)
Garrett Vale's trial began in April.
By then, investigators had identified twenty three victims.
The total missing funds exceeded eighteen million dollars.
Some would never be recovered.
Several victims attended every day.
Shawn sat with his parents.
Brenda entered from a side door with her attorney.
She had not yet been sentenced.
When Garrett saw her, he smiled.
She did not look away.
The prosecution began with bank records.
Then forged documents.
Then Dr. Crane.
Then Daniel Reeves.
Daniel described discovering suspicious transfers.
He described Garrett's threats.
He described copying the files.
The defense attacked his disappearance as proof he was dishonest.
Daniel answered simply.
"I was afraid."
On the third week, Brenda testified.
The courtroom became silent.
She admitted stealing.
She admitted lying.
She admitted spending money that belonged to her parents.
She admitted helping Garrett restrict their calls.
Garrett's lawyer asked, "So you benefited?"
"Yes."
"You lied to your brother?"
"Yes."
"You participated in keeping your parents in the basement?"
Her voice nearly failed.
"Yes."
"Then why should this jury believe you now?"
Brenda looked at the jury.
"They shouldn't believe me because I'm good."
She paused.
"They should believe the records."
Garrett's smile disappeared.
The prosecutor played Brenda's recording.
Garrett's own voice filled the courtroom.
They stay until Don signs.
You go to prison. Your parents go to a state facility. And I still get Easton.
Several jurors looked toward him.
Garrett stopped smiling.
Then Maria testified.
Shawn had worried the experience would overwhelm her.
Instead, his mother sat straight.
The prosecutor asked, "Why didn't you call your son?"
"Because I was ashamed."
"Of what?"
"Of being afraid."
"Did Garrett threaten you?"
"Yes."
"Did your daughter help him?"
Maria looked at Brenda.
"Yes."
Brenda lowered her head.
"Did your daughter also help you?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you forgive her?"
Garrett's attorney objected.
The judge sustained.
But the jury had already seen Maria's face.
Don testified last.
Garrett's attorneys played the videos showing confusion.
"Mr. Miller, do you remember this night?"
"No."
"You don't remember pushing over the lamp?"
"No."
"You don't remember accusing my client of stealing?"
"I accused him of stealing many times. You'll need to be more specific."
A few people in the courtroom smiled.
The attorney continued.
"Do you remember wandering outside at two in the morning?"
"No."
"So your memory is unreliable."
Don looked toward the jury.
"My memory was unreliable when Dr. Crane gave me pills Mr. Vale paid him to give me."
The attorney objected.
The judge allowed the answer to remain.
Then Don said something nobody expected.
"I do remember one thing clearly."
"What?"
"The night Garrett put the lock on the gate."
The courtroom became silent.
"What happened?"
"My wife asked him to let us upstairs for Christmas."
"What did he say?"
Don looked directly at Garrett.
"He said nobody was coming."
Shawn felt his throat tighten.
Don continued.
"He said Shawn was too busy. He said Brenda had chosen him. He said old people disappear long before they die because everyone gets tired of listening."
Garrett looked away.
Don's voice remained calm.
"He was wrong."
The prosecution rested after six weeks.
The defense argued that Garrett was an aggressive financial manager but not a criminal mastermind.
They blamed Brenda.
They blamed administrative confusion.
They blamed Dr. Crane.
They suggested Daniel manipulated evidence.
Then Garrett made the worst decision of his trial.
He testified.
He was polished at first.
He explained investments.
He denied threats.
He described Don as difficult.
He described Brenda as emotionally unstable.
The prosecutor asked one question.
"Mr. Vale, why was there a padlock on the outside of the basement gate?"
Garrett responded, "For safety."
"Whose?"
"Don's."
"Why could Maria not open it?"
"She could ask Brenda."
"Why was there a bucket in the corner?"
Garrett hesitated.
"Temporary plumbing issue."
"Why were Mr. and Mrs. Miller underweight?"
"They refused food."
"Both?"
"Yes."
"Why did you tell Daniel Reeves that they would stay until Don signed?"
Garrett's face changed.
"I don't recall saying that."
The prosecutor played the recording.
Garrett listened to himself.
Then the prosecutor asked, "Do you remember now?"
He did not answer.
The jury deliberated for two days.
Shawn stood between his parents when they returned.
Guilty.
Count after count.
Wire fraud.
Bank fraud.
Conspiracy.
Elder exploitation.
Unlawful imprisonment.
Witness intimidation.
Identity theft.
Garrett's face stayed emotionless until the final count.
Then he looked at Brenda.
Not Shawn.
Not Don.
Not Maria.
Brenda.
She looked back.
Garrett mouthed something.
Shawn could not hear it.
Brenda could.
Later he asked what Garrett said.
She answered, "He said, You did this."
Shawn asked, "What did you say?"
May you like
Brenda looked toward her parents.
"I said, No. I finally stopped helping you do it."
