94 ~ The Trial

 94 ~Triumph Through Tragedy By Kay Heitsch

The Trial

A lot had happened after February 6th, the last time I saw Mom or the little girl.

I was now working at the Memory Care Center. Bill had changed jobs a few times. With each job change, I saw it as this new job being "The Job"; I won't lie, this was not easy to go through. Now Bill had decided to return to retailing. He was working about an hour away.

It was Christmas time when the trial started. Christmas time is a difficult time for me for several reasons. Todd not being with me for one. I go through the motions, I do my best, but it's not my favorite time of the year.

Now that the trial had begun, every morning, I would drive downtown alone to the courthouse. I was instructed to sit on a wooden bench outside the room where the trial was taking place.

I sat there for hours. I saw people walking in and out, but I never did see Mom or Dad. The trial went on for several days. After sitting all morning, they adjourned, and I drove back to the Memory Care Center.

Seriously, I felt physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. To make matters worse, I was being told by a family member that everyone would hate me when this was over.

Before this trial began, I instructed both parties not to disclose to me anything they didn't want me to repeat on the stand. I would not be lying for either one of them. However, they both kept talking.

Finally, I was called to testify. I have no idea what all I said, but I did answer every question I was asked to the best of my ability. It was a nerve-wracking experience. I drove back to the Memory Care Center alone again.

I did not go back to the courthouse for the verdict after I gave my testimony.

Later that day, I learned that Dad was found not guilty of feticide. I was told that he fainted. Dad did have to go to anger management, which I believed was because I said he told me he had pushed her. You know, I told both of them not to tell me anything; they didn't want to be repeated on the stand. But they wouldn't stop talking.

I didn't know what had been testified to until after the verdict was announced and the newspaper reported. Lies were being told, and handwriting experts were called in to investigate the matter. A Doctor from another country was asked to testify but refused to come, even though all expenses would be paid. When the jury was questioned, they stated that they didn't believe the plaintiff, but they did believe the neighbor.

I had a lot of mixed feelings after this trial was over. I was exhausted and angry that I had been put in this position.

I attended the Christmas Eve service at church alone. I sat contemplating all I had been through all year.

I'd like to say that this situation was all over. But it wasn't!

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2