Accidental Marriage With Mr Billioniare
Chapter 292: THE COURT HEARING

Chapter 292: THE COURT HEARING

The courtroom was filled with people all over the city along with some influential presses. It’s finally the court hearing of Tonia and the whole world awaits to watch her being brought to justice.

The judge, a stern looking woman with a reputation for being fair but firm, entered the room.

Astrid and her husband, Julian, were seated in the front row, their faces somber and serious.

While Miles and his dad were seated beside them, their eyes fixed intently on.

Tonia, was seated in the dock, her eyes darting nervously around the room.

Her lawyer, a young man, was seated beside her, flipping through his notes.

The prosecutor, a tall and imposing man named Mr. Thompson, stood before the judge, his eyes fixed on Tonia.

"Your Honor, the state will prove that the defendant, Tonia Adam, is guilty of attempted murder and murder. We will show that she deliberately and premeditatively attempted to kill her adoptive father, Donald Gilbert, and that she is responsible for the death of her adoptive mother, along with triggering another culprit, to be her daughter to murder Elizabeth Adam."

The judge nodded, her eyes fixed on Tonia. "Very well, Mr. Thompson. Please proceed."

Mr. Thompson nodded, "Thank you, Your Honor. Our first witness is Mr. Donald Gilbert, the victim’s adoptive father."

Donald, looking a bit frail man, was wheeled into the courtroom, his eyes fixed on Tonia.

Astrid and Julian exchanged a concerned glance, their faces etched with worry.

Astrid was so worried, almost standing to meet her grand dad, but Julian pulled her down shaking his head, she could only exhale sharply before sitting down.

As Donald took the stand, Mr. Thompson approached him, his voice gentle. "Mr. Gilbert, can you please tell the court what happened on the day of the incident?"

Donald’s eyes clouded over, his voice trembling. "I... I received news that my wife’s death was not an accident. It was my adopted daughter, Tonia, who pushed her down the stairs. I was devastated. I couldn’t believe that the child I had raised as my own could do such a thing."

The courtroom erupted into a chorus of gasps and whispers, with Tonia’s eyes widening in shock. Astrid and Julian exchanged a horrified glance, their faces pale.

"It caused me my attack, and was immediately rushed to the hospital," Donald took in a deep breath recalling the moment Tonia had revealed all her evil deeds.

"When she came I had purposely pretended to be sick so I could get her words from her, and it really didn’t disappoint me.

Mr. Thompson’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold.

"And did you, at any point, feel threatened by your daughter’s actions?"

Donald’s eyes filled with tears, his voice cracking. "Yes... yes, I did. I felt like she was going to kill me, just like she killed my wife. And then I heard her threaten to kill my granddaughter, Astrid’s daughter. That’s when I knew I had to take action."

The prosecutor nodded, his eyes flashing with satisfaction. "Thank you, Mr. Gilbert. Your testimony has been very enlightening."

As Donald stepped down from the stand, Tonia’s lawyer approached him, her eyes flashing a bit of fear though she needed to be in support of Tonia but dare not annoy Donald.

"Mr. Gilbert, isn’t it true that you and your daughter have a history of conflict? That you’ve been estranged from her for years?"

Donald’s eyes narrowed. "Yes, that’s true. But that doesn’t excuse what she did. She killed my wife, and she tried to kill me, she triggered the death of her sister and to top it all, she was going for my granddaughter."

His eyes flashed with frustration, but the lawyer pressed on. "And isn’t it true that you’ve been manipulating your daughter, using her for your own gain?"

Donald’s face reddened, "That’s not true! I loved my daughter, and I wanted what was best for her."

"Attorney!" Tonia called and everyone turned to her, "Let it be.." she mumbled, surprising everyone including her lawyer.

Then the judge intervened, "That’s enough, The witness has answered your question."

As the trial continued, the prosecutor presented more evidence, including testimony from the police officers who had arrested Tonia and forensic experts who had analyzed the crime scene.

Finally, the judge called for closing arguments. Mr. Thompson stood before the court, his eyes flashing with conviction.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence is clear. Tonia Adam is guilty of attempted murder and murder.

She deliberately and premeditatively tried to kill her adoptive father, and she is responsible for the death of her adoptive mother."

Tonia’s lawyer stands before the court.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the prosecution’s case is built on circumstantial evidence. My client is innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution has not proven her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

The judge nodded, her eyes fixed on the jury. "It is now up to you, members of the jury, to decide the fate of the defendant."

As the jury deliberated, the courtroom was filled with tension.

Astrid and Julian held hands, while Donald sat in his wheelchair, his eyes focused on Tonia causing his heart to hurt more.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour the jury returned with a verdict.

"We, the jury, find the defendant, Tonia Adam, guilty of attempted murder and murder," the foreman of the jury continued, his voice firm. "We recommend the maximum sentence."

The courtroom erupted into chaos as the verdict was read.

Tonia’s eyes widened in shock, and she slumped forward, her head in her hands.

Astrid took a deep breath as Julian pated her shoulder. Donald’s eyes filled with tears, and he looked away, overcome with emotion.

Tonia’s lawyer stood up, his face pale. "Your Honor, I request a recess to consult with my client."

The judge nodded. "Very well, You have 15 minutes." Just then Tonia stood up with her lawyer, and she walked past Donald he stopped her

"I hope you rot in prison," Donald whispered, his voice trembling with anger.

Tonia turned to him, her eyes pleading, she didn’t know when she broke into tears. "Dad," she whispered.

"I never thought it would come to this," he said, his voice trembling. "I took you in, raised you as my own, and this is how you repay me?"

Tonia’s eyes dropped, shame written all over her face. "I am so sorry, Dad," she whispered.

"Sorry? Sorry isn’t enough. You killed my wife, Elizabeth. You tried to kill me. And even my granddaughter."

Astrid felt a lump form in her throat as she thought about how much pain Tonia had caused her family.

Tonia’s eyes snapped up, tears streaming down her face. "I was young and stupid," she sobbed. "I didn’t know what I was doing. Please, Dad, forgive me."

Donald’s face twisted in anguish. "Forgive you? How can I forgive you? You’ve destroyed our family."

Tonia fell to her knees, her hands tied behind her back. "Please, Dad, don’t say that. I will do anything to make it right. I will spend the rest of my life in prison, just please forgive me."

Tonia turned to Astrid, her eyes pleading. "Astrid, please help me. Beg your grandfather to forgive me. I don’t want to die in prison because of his hatred."

Astrid’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at Tonia.She didn’t know what to say, so she remained silent.

She turned to Zach and Miles, she didn’t even know what to say, Zach had divorced her few weeks ago, she couldn’t even argue because he had every right to.

"Za... Zach... Miles . I hope I can get you both forgiveness." miles too in a deep breath, even though she could be cunning she never acted like a bit h to him, she accepted him like her child, she treated him like a son that it came as a shock to him when he knew she wasn’t his mother..

Zach shifted back when Tonia’s hands were about to touch him, "Whatever you are going through is because of yourself, never drag me into it." He proclaimed, pulling his empathetic son with him.

He had noticed Miles’ action and he knew Miles would want to cafe for her and he wants to let that happen. She deserves to suffer for making him not be with his loved one and child.

Donald turned away also and Astrid helped him wheel his chair, leaving Tonia and her lawyer.

Few minutes later everyone was called back.

"It is time for sentencing," the judge said, her voice firm. The whole room was silent as they listened to the verdict.

"Tonia Adam, you have been found guilty of attempted murder and murder. I hereby sentence you to life in prison without the possibility of parole."

The courtroom erupted into chaos as the verdict was read. Tonia’s slumped forward, her head in her hands. She had accepted her fateit was all her fault.

Donald shut his eyes a bit sad and a bit relieved, Astrid arms around his tightened to comfort him.

He looked up at Astrid but was disrupted by Tonia who stood by him.

"I am sorry father," she mumbled again but Donald ignored her, as she fell on her knees this time not caring the eyes on her.

Just then guards moved forward, pulling Tonia to her feet. "Time to go," one of them said, dragging her away.

As Tonia was dragged out of the courtroom, she continued to beg for forgiveness. "Please, Dad, forgive me! Astrid, please help me!"

Astrid turned to her grandfather, tears streaming down her face. "Grandpa," she whispered.

Donald’s face was etched with sadness as he looked at Astrid. "It’s not your fault, sweetie," he said, his voice trembling. "It’s mine. I should have seen the signs. I should have protected our family."

Astrid wrapped her arms around her grandfather, holding him tightly. "It’s not your fault, Grandpa," she whispered. "We will get through this together."