EPOV

"Okay when we left two days ago our unresolved topic was a series of emails sent between the defendant's wife and Mr. Cullen. I had them investigated by an independent source approved by both parties." The judge said. "I was given the report earlier this morning. The reports state that the emails came from a sorce that Mr. Cullen did not have access to as it was out of the country which Mr. Cullen has not left in over a year." The judge paused. "And because of that I rule that the emails have no bearing on the case and shall not be allowed into evidence. Now either call the next witnesses or start your closing statements."

"The prosecution rest your honor."

"The Defense also rest your honor."

"Okay then we will take a short one-hour recess for lunch and reconvene for the closing arguments." The judge ordered with a bang of his gavel.

We filed back into the courtroom an hour later. My father and I sat down in the last remaining seats at the back of the room and listened as each side made their final arguments. The part that got me the most was the defense saying that even thought I didn't send the emails Mr. Varder thought I did and they pushed him over the edge. He urged the court to allow him to get help not locked up.

The whole room had been dismissed while the jury left to deliberate. My father took me home until we got the call that a verdict had been reached. The jury had deliberated for three days before they reached a verdict.

Once again I sat in the courtroom and waited as the twelve-person jury filed in.

"Do you have a verdict?" The judge asked.

The Forman of the jury stood up and indicated that they had and were ready for it to be read.

"Mr. Varder please rise for the verdict."

The defendant stood up from his chair and faced the judge. His face was somewhere between stolid and pissed off.

"On the charge of attempted murder how do you find the defendant?"

Alec Varder Convicted of Attempted Murder

Thirty-four year old Alec Varder was convicted four days ago of the attempted murder of a Duke (Edward Cullen). Mr. Varder was sentenced to twenty-five years to life with little chance at parol. Mr. Varder's wife was unavailable for comment as was the Duke.

I folded up the paper and pushed it across the table.

"Edward stop reading that article." My mom said. "It's just a gossip rag trying to make a name for itself."

"Mum they wrote about the results of the trial not much else." I replied.

"You didn't read the other article." She said. "Not that I would want you to."

"I have no desire to read that fiction but I do have a desire to eat your shepherd's pie."

"Guess it is a good thing I just finished baking a fresh one."

"Yes it is." I told her.

My mum replied by dragging me from her living room to her dining room. She then made me sit down at her table where she made me eat several servings because she thought I was getting to skinny. That was something she always said to me if she hadn't seen me in a while and even when I gained weight after I broke my leg when I was sixteen (I'd been away at boarding school) but that is what I love about her she showed that she cared even if we'd seen each other the day before.