Chapter 9 - THE TRIAL
Tyler did not go to trial for attempted murder based solely on the shot.
The evidence showed he wanted a staged attack.
Lucas Reed fired.
Evelyn moved unexpectedly.
Prosecutors built the case around what they could prove.
Conspiracy to stage an armed attack.
Reckless violent conduct.
Fraud.
Trust theft.
Obstruction.
Solicitation-related offenses.
Assault tied to Tyler’s conduct after Evelyn fell.
Evidence tampering.
Lucas pleaded first.
His cooperation mattered.
Tyler’s attorney attacked him as a criminal saving himself.
Fair.
Then the burner phones supported Lucas.
So did the dashboard recording.
So did the financial trail.
So did Tyler’s own messages.
The jury convicted Tyler on the central counts.
Not everything.
Enough.
At sentencing, Charles asked to speak.
He turned toward Evelyn first.
“I kept calling his behavior grief because that was easier than calling it entitlement.”
Evelyn listened.
Charles continued:
“I made you responsible for protecting the son I refused to confront.”
That sentence mattered more than his apology.
Because it was specific.
Tyler sat at the defense table staring at the floor.
He did not look twenty-four anymore.
May you like
He looked young in the worst possible way.
A person who had confused inheritance with identity until losing both.
