Chapter 10 - The Police Report
Margaret reported Vanessa.
Not me.
Her choice.
Police interviewed guests.
Reviewed security video.
The ballroom cameras clearly showed Vanessa extend her foot toward the cane.
Not accidental contact.
Then Margaret fell.
Vanessa’s lawyer argued:
She intended only to move the cane.
Not knock Margaret down.
That could be true.
Intent to cause a fall was harder to prove than intent to interfere with the cane.
The law did not need us to turn her into attempted murderer.
Margaret suffered bruising and a wrist sprain.
No fracture.
Vanessa faced misdemeanor assault-related and harassment charges, with the victim’s age and mobility limitation considered in charging and sentencing.
No immediate prison.
No handcuffs at gala.
No cinematic arrest.
She was interviewed later through counsel.
Protective order:
No direct contact with Margaret pending case.
No approaching within specified distance except court or counsel settings.
Bellafonte itself became complicated because Vanessa worked there and Margaret owned the land.
For the moment, Margaret voluntarily stayed away from events.
That made me angry.
She owned the land and was the one staying away.
Helen reminded me:
“Temporary logistics are not title.”
Right.
May you like
I had to stop converting every inconvenience into symbolic surrender.
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