Chapter 14 - The Trial of Mark Hale
Mark's trial began eleven months after the poisoned coffee.
By then prosecutors had built a devastating case.
Attempted murder.
Wire fraud.
Bank fraud.
Identity theft.
Conspiracy.
Forgery.
Money laundering.
Witness tampering.
The courtroom was packed.
Mark entered wearing a dark suit provided by his defense team.
For a moment he resembled the man Laura had married.
Then he looked at her.
There was no apology in his eyes.
Only calculation.
Robert testified first.
The prosecutor asked:
"Mr. Bennett, when did you first become suspicious of the defendant?"
"When he started asking questions he had no reason to ask."
"What questions?"
"About my money."
Robert glanced at Mark.
"People who care about you ask whether you're sleeping well. People who care about your assets ask where your deed is."
Several jurors reacted.
Then came the video.
Mark dropping the tablet.
The whisper.
One sip and the house is mine.
Mark's face changed as the recording played.
For the first time Laura saw fear.
The forensic toxicologist testified next.
The substance in the coffee could have killed Robert rapidly.
A medical examiner might initially have considered cardiac failure.
Then Laura testified.
The defense attempted to portray her as a bitter spouse.
"Mrs. Hale, your marriage had been deteriorating, correct?"
"No."
"You never argued?"
"Everyone argues."
"You were angry with your husband?"
"After learning he forged my name, stole hundreds of thousands of dollars, targeted my father and attempted to poison him, yes. I became somewhat irritated."
Laughter moved through the courtroom.
Even the judge hid a smile.
The defense attorney changed tactics.
"Isn't it true you accessed private records belonging to your husband?"
"Yes."
"Without permission."
"Yes."
"So you violated his privacy."
Laura leaned toward the microphone.
"He violated federal banking law."
The attorney stopped.
The jury needed less than six hours.
Guilty on every major count.
At sentencing, Mark finally spoke.
He turned toward Laura.
"I did love you."
Laura felt nothing.
Mark continued.
"I know you don't believe that."
The judge interrupted.
"Address the court, Mr. Hale."
Mark looked at the judge.
Then suddenly smiled.
"You think this ends because I'm going away?"
Mercer stiffened in the gallery.
Mark continued.
"You convicted the delivery boy."
The prosecutor stood.
"Your Honor..."
"The house belongs to Crown," Mark said.
Robert's eyes narrowed.
Mark looked directly at him.
"It always did."
Deputies grabbed Mark.
As they pulled him back, he shouted:
"Ask your father what happened in 1981!"
Robert stood.
"My father is dead."
Mark laughed.
"That's what they told you."
Silence filled the courtroom.
Then Mark was removed.
The judge sentenced him to decades in federal prison.
Laura should have felt closure.
Instead she looked at Robert.
May you like
Her father was staring at the empty doorway.
And for the first time since the arrest, he looked truly frightened.
