Chapter 9 - The Arraignment
Mom's arraignment was scheduled for Thursday.
I didn't want to go.
But I had to.
I owed it to Grandma.
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The courtroom was small and crowded.
Mom sat at the defense table with her attorney.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Her face was pale.
Her hair was messy.
She was wearing a prison jumpsuit.
She looked like a stranger.
---
The judge read the charges.
Elder abuse.
Financial exploitation.
Forgery.
Identity theft.
"That's a lot of charges," the judge said.
"Yes, Your Honor," the prosecutor replied.
"How does the defendant plead?"
Mom's attorney stood.
"Not guilty."
---
The judge looked at Mom.
"She's a flight risk. I'm setting bail at $200,000."
Mom's face dropped.
"I don't have that kind of money," she whispered to her attorney.
"I'll see what I can do," he said.
---
Mom turned to look at me.
She didn't say anything.
But her eyes were pleading.
I looked away.
---
The judge continued.
"Based on the severity of the charges and the evidence presented, I'm also ordering a mental health evaluation."
Mom's attorney nodded.
"We'll cooperate fully."
"The defendant will be remanded to custody until bail is posted."
The bailiff led Mom away.
She didn't look back.
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