Chapter 370 Book 5: Justice For Iris’s Mom

Chapter 370 Book 5: Justice For Iris’s Mom
The next day, Maddox arrived in court for Gary Laurier’s trial. The defendant repeated what he had already admitted during the interrogation. Victor Drupal, the defense attorney, tried every trick to save his best friend.
“Members of the jury, the prosecution has spent hours telling you about the crimes that have taken place. They have shown you evidence of what others had done. However, they cannot provide you with any evidence that Gary Laurier ever agreed to participate in it. He had been blackmailed into cooperating with Mrs. Laurier. The evidence I present throughout this session will corroborate my claim further.”
The judge looked unconvinced. “Are you testifying in exchange for a lighter sentence for your client, Mr. Drupal? A crime has taken place, and the defendant’s active participation has been proved in court yesterday - case number 24LLCR37561.”
“No, Your Honor, I intended to focus on my client’s forced participation in the crimes. He had been blackmailed into it.” Victor Drupal fought for his best friend.
The judge still looked unconvinced. “Why didn’t your client withdraw if he didn’t want to be a part of the crime?”
Victor Drupal jumped to the rescue. “My client affirmatively withdrew from the conspiracy and communicated this to his co-conspirators repeatedly over the last ten years. His career was at stake, Your Honor.”
The argument continued, and Mrs. Laurier was brought in for cross-questioning. Victor Drupal effortlessly established his claim in a series of cross-questions addressed to Mrs. Laurier. She refused to cooperate, glaring at Gary Laurier all the time while he hardly met her eyes.
“Your Honor, in the actual absence of an agreement between Mrs. Laurier and my client, I hereby plead not guilty.” The defense attorney turned to wait for the judge’s response.
“Objection, Your Honor. No foundation.” The prosecution intervened.
The judge sought an explanation instead. “Sustained. Explain your claim.”
“Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence presented so far points to another interconnected case. The defendant might have been forced to commit the felonies stated, but we cannot overlook his misuse of power over Lydia Hansley. Mr. Laurier used fear, forcing the victim, Lydia Hansley, into sexual intercourse against her will. The videos presented in court have proved how he had used threats to compel her to submit. At the end of this trial, we will ask you to find the defendant guilty of rape.”
Victor Drupal immediately objected. “Ladies and gentlemen, this case is not about rape.”
The judge intervened and ordered them to present their cases. The prosecution brought in a series of witnesses. These were Mrs. Laurier’s brother, Robbie Stockton’s father, and many others associated with the case. They corroborated the fact that Gary Laurier had hired them to organize the murders. The fingerprints, footage unearthed, and other circumstantial evidence proved his involvement.
Even Eric Laurier’s chauffeur, Bobby Spencer, gave his statement against Gary Laurier. It was proved how he had compelled his brother to sign the will.
“Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, all evidence proves the active participation of the defendant in the felony acts listed. In the absence of withdrawal, these demonstrate a clear mutual agreement to commit the crime. The overt acts of the defendant were proof enough of his agreement. Therefore, no formal agreement is necessary in this case; his actions can imply it. I urge you to reopen the case against Lydia Hansley, whom the defendant has wronged. It eventually led to the death of an innocent victim. The evidence leaves no other reasonable explanation but guilty. Therefore, we ask that you find the defendant, Gary Laurier, guilty of severe felonies such as conspiracy, murder, and rape, punishable under the Three Strikes Law of our state.”
The judge turned towards Maddox as the victim of the crimes. “Mr. Laurier, did you prepare a written Victim Impact Statement?”
Maddox swallowed the lump in his throat. This was his only chance to punish the culprits. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“You may present your statement to the court.”
Maddox stood and faced the court. He could feel the furious stares of his adoptive mother and uncle on him. It seemed they repented not having murdered him already.
He breathed in deeply and read out his statement for all to hear.
“Your Honor, my name is Maddox Laurier, and I am the sole surviving victim in this case. I want to thank you for allowing me to speak today. Since my adoptive mother, Evangeline Laurier, and my uncle, Gary Laurier, murdered my older brother, my life has been completely altered. The court must understand the lasting harm this has caused.”
He paused for a second to compose himself. Talking about it publicly after so many years took a toll on his mental health. But this was crucial to the case. “Physically, the accident they had caused had left me paralyzed for a year. It was a miracle that I survived. I have had to undergo treatment and therapy for two years to stand on my feet.”
Gasps erupted from the audience.
Maddox continued his heartfelt statement. “Emotionally, this has been devastating. I experience nightmares, trust issues, fear of going out on long drives, and fear of the defendant, among others. I no longer feel safe in my home. So, I had to leave and start all over again in a new home, away from the defendant and my adoptive mother.”
Maddox paused to a pin-drop silence in the courtroom. “This hasn’t just affected me; it has affected my family as well. My father’s untimely death has left me an orphan. The defendant and his co-conspirators had abducted my pregnant girlfriend. Ever since she’s missing. The police haven’t had success in finding her whereabouts. I’m devastated, Your Honor.”
Hushed whispers echoed around the courtroom. Maddox calmed himself and looked at the judge. “When considering the sentence, I ask you to reconsider the terror and pain I have experienced. I urge the court to hold Gary Laurier fully accountable for their actions. I believe a sentence of imprisonment for life is necessary to ensure the safety of myself and my family, and to prevent them from doing this to anyone else. Thank you for your time, Your Honor.”
The judge turned to face his jury. “Has the jury reached a verdict?”
The jury foreman rose to address the court. “We have, Your Honor. On the charges of criminal conspiracy, multiple murders, and an attempt at financial fraud, we find Gary Laurier guilty.”
The judge also gave his verdict, sentencing Gary Laurier to life imprisonment. He ordered a probe into Lydia Hansley’s case and fixed a date for the hearing. The court was adjourned for the day.
“It went well, bro. Cheer up!” Declan was at Maddox’s side to comfort him. Maddox was glad of the support. He hadn’t imagined he could pull this through.
After three days, he was back at court with his lawyer to fight Iris’s mom’s case. This time, he was hopeful of getting a death penalty for Gary Laurier as well. He didn’t deserve to live after the way he had killed his own brother and his family for money.
It was a straightforward case, as the videos his adoptive mother had submitted to court were enough to prove his crime.
Gary Laurier was sentenced to death, just like his co-conspirator.
Maddox left the court with a satisfied smile on his features. “I’m glad I could get justice for Iris’s mom. Would Iris return to me if she knew?”
Declan smiled and nodded at him. “Do you want to clear Lydia Hansley’s name with a press release? That way, Iris would know about it and return to you.”
Maddox’s eyes blazed with excitement. Why hadn’t he thought of it before? “Yes, do that immediately, dude.”
He returned home in a better frame of mind. Now there was only one culprit to punish – Lucille Hartley. Then he would be free to seek his lost love.
He was certain Iris would return to him if she read about her mother’s last wish. He could call her siblings and inform them as well. That way, she would surely know about it.
Maddox smiled for the first time in days.
Declan stuck to his promise, and the next morning, Maddox gasped at the news covered by all the leading dailies in the country.
Celebrity lawyer Gary Laurier faces the death penalty for breaking the Three Strikes Law.
It covered everything that happened at the two trials, helping to clear Lydia Hansley’s name.
Maddox leaned back with satisfaction. He forwarded the article to Iris’s twins.
His luggage was ready. Now he looked forward to Lucille’s trial the next day.
Then he would be on his way to San Francisco to get his Iris.