Chapter 21 - Sentencing
Valeria had:
No prior convictions.
Returned the ring before trial.
Resolved the child case.
Repayed portions of disputed commercial benefits.
But the judge also considered:
Duration of retention.
Repeated false gift claims.
Use of the ring to support a public identity.
Her conduct toward Marnie.
The ring theft sentence:
Eighteen months custody, with twelve suspended.
Six months to serve.
Two years probation.
Concurrent with no custodial time from misdemeanor child case because that had already been resolved separately.
No contact with Marnie during probation absent court modification and my consent.
Restitution:
Specific legal recovery costs permitted by statute.
Not the ring’s full value because ring was returned.
Valeria said:
“Celeste did want me beside Salvatore.”
I believed that, in one narrow context.
The judge answered:
May you like
“Being invited to occupy a chair is not ownership of another person’s property or identity.”
That sentence followed me home.
