Chapter 18 - Judith’s sentencing
Judith was sixty-three.
No prior criminal record.
Convicted of assault.
Victim suffered:
Acute rib fractures.
Wrist fracture.
Significant bruising.
No surgery.
No permanent mobility loss.
But stairs increased seriousness.
Prior physical-contact evidence contextualized risk though not separately convicted.
Prosecution requested:
Short jail term.
Probation.
No-contact order.
Defense requested:
Probation only.
Judge imposed:
Forty-five days county jail.
Thirty suspended.
Fifteen days to serve.
Eighteen months probation.
Anger-management/intervention program.
No contact with me during probation unless court modifies.
Restitution:
My documented medical out-of-pocket expenses not covered elsewhere, around $3,760.
No huge pain-and-suffering award in criminal sentencing.
Civil claims separate.
Then Judith spoke.
“I did not intend for Nora to fall that far.”
Not:
I didn’t push her.
That mattered.
Then:
“I was angry.”
Judge asked:
“Did anger give you the right to put hands on her near stairs?”
“No.”
Finally.
She served fifteen days.
Not years.
No public ruin.
Then Graham visited her once.
I knew because he did not hide it in divorce disclosure when asked about schedule.
Did it bother me?
Yes.
Was he allowed to love his mother?
Yes.
Would I stay married to a man whose love required me to disappear from his version of events?
May you like
No.
Both.
