Chapter 23 - THE TRIAL STARTS WITH A SCANNER
Lucia’s trial began nine months after the hospital incident.
The prosecutor started with Nolan.
He wore a normal dark suit.
Not medical clothing.
He testified:
Gianna reported Lucia had opened a bracelet.
He scanned Nico.
Match.
He scanned the second infant.
Mismatch.
He saw the clasp had been disturbed.
Then Serena reached toward the purse.
Massimo stopped her.
Then slapped her.
Yes.
No hiding my act.
Then the purse.
Extra Luca band.
Then Nolan’s emergency response.
Defense asked:
“You are personally close to Massimo Bellante?”
“Yes.”
“Could that bias you?”
“Yes, which is why I did not conduct the independent DNA testing.”
Good.
Then:
“Did you see Lucia physically switch babies?”
“No.”
“Did you see her remove Luca’s band?”
“No.”
Correct.
The case did not rest on him alone.
Then hospital security.
Video.
Thirty-one-second corridor gap.
Lucia entering.
Serena following.
Lucia leaving with a bassinet.
Serena carrying purse.
Then forensic band examiner.
Luca’s original band in purse.
Clasp fragment under observation bassinet.
Mercer baby wearing his own opened band.
Then DNA.
The unbanded observation infant:
Luca Bellante.
The infant returned to Gianna:
Mercer child.
No speculation left about physical switch.
Then messages.
Both boys healthy. This is the only chance before discharge.
Fixing what should have been decided before birth.
Then notebook.
Serena takes Luca during reset.
Gianna keeps Nico.
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The prosecution did not need a dramatic narrator.
Lucia had written the plot herself.
