Chapter 19 - Arthur’s plea
Arthur did not go to prison for years.
He was not charged with attempted murder.
No dramatic felony assault based on injuries Gigi did not have.
The prosecutor had:
Video.
Witnesses.
Medical documentation.
Arthur’s own initial statements.
No serious physical injury.
No prior convictions.
Prior incidents had mixed legal histories and were not automatically admissible to prove character.
The case resolved.
Arthur pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child-endangerment/assault offense.
He acknowledged intentionally striking Gigi.
Sentence:
Two years probation.
Community service.
Mandatory anger-management and behavioral treatment.
No direct contact with Gigi during supervision absent my consent, therapeutic recommendation, and court modification.
Fine.
Restitution for medical and counseling expenses.
No alcohol at certain supervised family events during probation? The court imposed substance restrictions only if supported. Alcohol had not caused source incident, so no.
Specific.
At sentencing Arthur said:
“I hit a two-year-old because I was angry she did not obey me.”
There.
No ribbon emergency.
No cake stand.
No “intervention.”
The judge asked:
“Did she present a danger to you?”
“No.”
“To herself?”
“No.”
“Then why physical force?”
Arthur looked down.
“Because I believed being angry gave me authority.”
That sentence came from therapy.
Maybe rehearsed.
Still accurate.
My victim statement did not ask for prison.
I wrote:
May you like
Gigi recovered physically. I want the court to recognize that the absence of serious injury was fortunate, not permission.
That was enough.
