Chapter 22 - THE PLEA THERESA REJECTS
Prosecutors offered Theresa a plea.
Admission:
She knowingly confined Nora in a locked animal kennel as punishment.
She caused minor physical injury and fear.
She had no parental or legal authority to use such restraint.
No allegation of prolonged imprisonment.
No claim she starved Nora.
No claim she intended serious injury.
Sentence recommendation:
Short custodial term or home confinement depending judge.
Probation.
Counseling.
No contact with Nora initially.
Restitution for medical and therapy expenses.
Theresa refused one phrase.
“Animal kennel.”
She wanted:
“temporary enclosure.”
The prosecutor said no.
It was a dog kennel.
Language mattered because sanitizing facts was part of the family habit.
Then another issue.
Theresa wanted the agreement to say:
“for disciplinary purposes.”
The prosecutor allowed that as motive but not justification.
She still refused.
Why?
Pride.
Her attorney told Nathan privately:
“She believes pleading guilty means admitting she was never entitled to discipline Nora.”
May you like
Exactly.
The case went to trial.
