Chapter 11 - THE CRIMINAL CASE
The criminal case was serious.
A newborn had been intentionally placed in extreme danger during an attempt to coerce a property transfer.
Prosecutors considered charges related to:
child endangerment,
assaultive conduct,
coercion,
and attempted unlawful deprivation of property.
Exact charging language depended on evidence and jurisdiction.
No attempted-murder shortcut simply because the act was horrifying.
Intent mattered.
Vanessa’s defense argued:
Emma was wrapped,
the window was low,
dense hedge was directly below,
and Vanessa believed the baby would be caught safely.
Prosecutors answered:
A nine-day-old child cannot be used as leverage in a property dispute.
That was the center.
Vanessa also argued Claire slapped her.
True.
Claire admitted it.
The slap was addressed separately.
She said:
“I hit her after she told me it was too late.”
Her attorney said:
“Your panic explains it. It does not erase it.”
Claire accepted that.
No heroic exemption.
Vanessa eventually entered a negotiated plea on several counts after pretrial rulings made the coercion evidence difficult to exclude.
The sentence included substantial custody time, probation after release, treatment, restitution for certain costs, and strict no-contact orders.
Not life.
Not a fantasy century.
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Serious.
Proportionate to proven conduct.
