a/n our story, no one else's…these sentences came down after research and the spurring on of a certain author on ffic….needless to say it's our way of making sure the tasty pastry incident forever lives on in ffic. SNORT.
Love you, Ms. Em; Christibabe wanted a trial, so here is JoMo's punishment for her in particular.
It was a pleasure to write this chapter, trust me.
Two chapters left ladies.
'I hereby…. find you guilty on all charges!'
The words came out of Judge Sharpton, who at the current moment was locked in a stare down with the prisoner of the Trenton Jail, soon to be prisoner of the Trenton State Prison, Joe Morelli.
You could hear the gasps of joy from the 'Plum' side of the courtroom. It took Stephanie seconds to process what the Judge had said.
She hugged Carlos tightly and said, 'it's over, it's FINALLY over!' 'Yeah 'babe' it is,' he said. To the surprise of everyone, including Stephanie, she gave Carlos a long kiss. She glanced around to her family and friends; all had relief and joy written across their faces.
The healing process was finally beginning.
Val and Mooch had shown up for the final day, she was pregnant and was having a hard time of it. They were there to support Angie.
Frank and Steph weren't happy to see Valerie. After the initial contact between the sisters, they hadn't even talked on the phone. Seems Val had become more like her mother, in every way.
The reporters were franticly writing down what the Judge was saying and how the Plum side was reacting. No one knew where to look, to get the best story. Besides the Judge and the 'Plums,' all you could hear was the pens scratching the paper.
Sharpton would read the charges aloud for the courtroom and for one 'Joseph A. Morelli,' in particular.
"Sexual assault and battery on a minor that was 16 years of age."
"Rape on a minor that was 16 years of age."
'The sentences are to run in the following manner;'
'For the sexual assault and battery in the first degree: 20 years.'
'For the rape of the victim: 16 years.'
'I find it fitting that you will be doing the same amount of time for the rape, as the age of your victim was. To be perfectly honest,' the Judge added.
'Both sentences are to run consecutively and you will also register as;'
'A sex offender from the state of New Jersey.'
'A sexual pedophile and deviant from the state of New Jersey,'
'As well as a child rapist from the State of New Jersey.'
'You will be added to the National Database as well.'
'And any other registrations, that I deem prudent, I will be happy to personally sign you up for. You are a truly horrendous example to men everywhere. You are to be escorted to the Trenton State Prison immediately and into the general population. There will be no special conditions given to you .You are just THAT; a PRISONER.
Your sentence will end when 36 years have passed, no chance for parole or probation. Not one day, one year or an hour sooner. While you have admitted, what you did was wrong. In a roundabout way in this courtroom, there is simply no getting around the facts. That you did the crime, so now you must do the time, Mr. Morelli.'
Melissa was extremely happy that Joe had gotten a longer sentence then she had asked for. So was everyone in that courtroom.
Now Stephanie could get on with her life and that was with Carlos. The house was about a quarter completed. They decided on a ranch style house. It was going to have five bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms. The Master bedroom would have the added amenity of a Jacuzzi.
The security had been installed around the area, including all those that were having gates. The gates were being installed the next week.
Stephanie was so happy that the nightmare of the trial was over. She found herself wanting to kiss Carlos in public again, in front of Morelli even; and that is just what she did.
Joe had seen the second kiss and couldn't believe his eyes. 'GET AWAY FROM HIM,' Joe screamed. That just made Stephanie mad and blurted out for all to hear. 'Forget it Joe, Carlos and I are getting married.' Stunned, Joe didn't know what to say; just stood there glaring at the couple, as everyone in the courtroom grinned.
'Off the record' Judge Sharpton said, the court reporter stopped typing and the reporters had to quit writing, not being able to repeat what the judge was about to tell Morelli.
The Judge gave a slight nod to Carlos and he had Stephanie up in his arms, taking her out that 'cesspool of hell' as she called it; never having to go back to that courtroom. Her family, quiet as could be, never let Morelli see that they were leaving, followed them.
After they left the courtroom and entered another room, Most of them burst out cheering. Angie's heart was breaking, feeling as if she had let down Joe. Frank and Ella both had told her, none of it was her fault. Deep down she knew that, but the mind is a funny thing sometimes.
As the Judge was handing down the sentence, Carlos gave a nod to Lester, who slipped out the door for a phone call of his own.
Seems the Warden of Trenton State Prison was a Ms. Deanna Jerkins. She had connections to someone important, that being the 'General.' He was the one who had helped Juniak when he went to pick Morelli up in California.
Deanna had been friends with the 'Generals' wife for years. They had gone to High school together and all the way through College.
They still kept in touch.
She had had dealings with Carlos Manoso and his unit a few times. Deanna had gotten to know all four of the men quite well; even having gone out a time or two drinking, having been an MP herself. She wanted to stay in law enforcement and that found her being recruited to some of the lowest of jails and prisons. Until Trenton.
Being from the Midwest and having lived on the West Coast, had her loving the Ocean. When she was asked to be the Warden of the Trenton State Prison, she couldn't say no.
She had done her fair share of dealing with Dishonorable Discharged Soldiers that had done crimes before they had arrived for boot camp. All thinking, once in the Military, they would be scot-free.
Deanna had no patience for those types of people. She couldn't believe the call she had gotten. Asking for a favor, not hesitating she had said yes.
She had arranged for two cells, side by side, one would be outfitted 'ASAP' with miniature speakers for a recording to be played at night. All per Rangeman's request.
Hector would have full access to the prisoner. After all, he was taking 'one for the team,' all the while imagining what WAS going to happen and would happen between him and the victim very soon.
Visions of seeing Morelli again in the showers danced in Hector's head as he licked his lips and murmured 'cupcake' to himself when he got the signal in his earpiece to get to the prison and be in place.
Operation "BREAK MORELLI" had officially begun.
The prisoner just stood there in front of the Judge, the anger sweeping through his body at what he was hearing. The words began pouring out of Joe's mouth, stuttering he said, 'I-I-I told you what I did. W-w-why can't you just let me go? I-I-I learned my lesson, your Honor,' trying to be sincere. Everyone knew he would go back and make Stephanie's life even more of a hell, if by some fluke he was not guilty.
Joe stood there, waiting for the Judge to answer him. He was vibrating with rage. He couldn't understand it. He did the right thing after all, didn't he? He confessed to his 'cupcake' that she was right, what more was expected of him?
Turning around to see Stephanie one more time, to plead with her to 'make things right', he saw she was gone; the only people left were the ones that were necessary for court and the reporters.
A roar escaped his mouth, "WHERE THE HELL DID SHE GO? WHERE IS SHE? THIS IS WRONG, I SAID WHAT I DID WAS WRONG, HOW COULD SHE LEAVE ME LIKE THIS? WHY IS SHE WITH THAT MAN? SHE IS MINE!" Spittle flying from his mouth, you could say he was extremely angry, Melissa thought to herself as she took a step back, not to get hit by his spit.
The Judge was banging his gavel down, trying to be heard over Joe's tirade. 'I can add a few more years on for contempt if you like Mr. Morelli?' The Judge finally said.
Lester moved up to be closer to 'his woman.' He was in bodyguard mode. Everyone had anticipated this. Everybody knew the Morelli men (except for Anthony Jr) had violent tempers and to expect the unexpected.
Tank and Bobby reappeared, having never left, to slap the silver handcuffs on the now desperate, hysterical man in front of them. Trying to subdue him was almost impossible.
Joe had found himself somehow, once again being on the end of Tanks boot. His arm had to be twisted just to get him to settle down.
'Court dismissed, take the Prisoner away, gentlemen' and with that, court was over for Joseph Morelli for the last time.
Vinnie Plum was never so glad to be done with a case, thinking, "I need to bleach MYSELF," from being in contact with him.
Instead of being returned to his cell, as he thought, he was brought to the infirmary, was told to strip and change into a new uniform jumpsuit, olive green with the words 'TRENTON STATE PRISONER' stamped on the back and front, new mug shots were taken, a new fingerprint card. It was all part of registering for those conditions, which the Judge set out in sentencing. Might as well 'get the party started' and while Morelli was still in fight or flight mode, a hypodermic needle was inserted into his arm, effectively knocking him out for transportation, another arrangement by Juniak and Rangeman, they were *more than happy* to help with.
Who needed to hear all that noise when being driven a short distance away? Soon everyone would know there was 'a fresh cupcake in the house'. Only this time, it wasn't one from the tasty pastry. He was fresh from the courtroom to the big house, right where he was tucked into bed, next door to his secret admirer, 'Hector.'
'I can't believe we managed that, it worked perfectly to block his vision, excellent plan.' Judge Sharpton told Vinnie and Melissa, 'you both played your parts wonderfully and now Stephanie will get the closure she needs to continue healing and to start living. But then again, she did do that with that kiss.' Everyone grinned at that statement.
Vinnie left the courtroom. Thankful he was not on Frank Plum's radar anymore, he damn near pissed himself when talking to the man about having the Dr, who gave Morelli the psych evaluation get on the stand. He then told him about letting Morelli hang himself on the stand, so all was right once again in Vinnie Plum's life. Now he wanted to talk to his cousin, to apologize for having to defend that man that made her life a living hell.
Back to the duck pond and calling up a 'certain someone' to come and play in his law office.
Life does go on after all.