The gavel struck.
A sharp, final sound that echoed across the courtroom and settled into a heavy silence.
“Guilty. The court imposes a sentence of life in custody.”
Judge Lenora Kline’s voice was steady, practiced. This was not her first life sentence—and it showed.
Around the room, people moved on quickly.
The prosecutor closed his file.
The defense attorney lowered his head.
The bailiff stepped forward.
Another case. Another ending.
Except… it wasn’t.
A Request That Should Have Meant Nothing
Carter Halston stood in his orange uniform, wrists cuffed, shoulders tense but not broken.
He swallowed.
“Your Honor… I understand the verdict.”
His voice was rough, but controlled.
“I’m not asking you to change anything.”
A pause.
“I just have one request.”
Judge Kline looked at him carefully.
“Go on.”
“My son was born last week,” Carter said.
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