The air in the courtroom was so thin I felt like I was breathing through gauze. At exactly 8:00 AM, the bailiff’s voice cut through the heavy murmurs, and we all rose as Judge Jones took the bench. He looked weary, the weight of the last few days etched into the lines around his eyes.
He picked up the first manila envelope. "In the matter of the State versus Liam Thorne," he began, his voice booming. He looked toward the jury foreperson. "On the charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, how does the jury find the defendant?"
"We find the defendant Guilty," the foreperson stated clearly.
I felt Liam’s hand turn to ice in mine, but the Judge didn't pause.
"However," Judge Jones continued, looking directly at Liam, "this court has reviewed the evidence of extreme coerc
