Chapter Four

4th April 2002 - The Day of the Verdict of the Trial of James Gordon

I was notified yesterday that the jury would be returning to give the verdict of this trial that has gone on for so long and must be taxing on Lady Katherine and Andrew Williams.

I knew when I got to the courthouse there would be more journalists and photographers, than what there was at the start of the trial. So I just drove straight through them to the car park at the back of the building.

When I arrived within the building, I immediately saw Lady Katherine sat on a chair and not a wheelchair, like she had when I last saw her, before she went for her emergency operation. I went over to have a small chat with them, only to find out that were thinking about getting married in the next six to eight months and would I like to be matron of honour for Lady Katherine as she does not have any sisters and that Jennifer did not want the role, I told them I would think about it after the verdict had been announced as that is all that was on my mind at the time.

About ten minutes after my conversation between Katherine and Andrew, the bailiff brought James Gordon into the room; following them was the jury and finally Judge Woodman. At this point you could have heard a pin drop as it was so quiet and still, as everyone in the court room held their breath as they waited for the jury representative to announce the verdict of the trial.

The charges that where brought against James Gordon were as follows:

Two attempted murders Robbery With holding evidence and lying to the police

As the representative read out the charges, everyone was waiting on tender hooks for the announcement whether or not James Gordon was guilty of the charges brought against him.

The representative took a deep breath and read out:

"The charge of attempted murder of both Lady Katherine Louise Forbes and Mr Andrew Williams - Guilty, the charge of robbing Lady Forbes - Guilty and finally with holding evidence and lying to the police - Guilty"

Throughout the courthouse, everyone let out they're breaths at the same time and had the effect on that the building was alive. Judge Woodman, banged his gravel against the desk he was sat at and called for silence, as the sentencing was about to commence.

Another hushed silence filled the court room (I knew from the charges the maximum that he could get was twenty years and the minimum of five years in jail). Judge Woodman told the court and James that he would be spending the next fifteen years in prison for the crimes he committed.

A look of relief passed over Andrew's and Lady Katherine's face, but they weren't the only ones to feel the relief of the sentence, the only person that did not find relief was Sarah Stokes, who was looking upon Andrew and Katherine with up most hatred, as if to say "you have betrayed us

A/N: There will be more to come. Please review

Thanks

Debra