The Trial of Damien Cross
Chapter 15 - The Trial of Damien Cross
The trial lasted eleven weeks.
Damien faced charges for assaulting Elena, imprisoning Marissa, financial fraud, conspiracy, kidnapping, and Ben’s death. Prosecutors separated some counts, but the first trial included enough history to reveal the pattern.
His defense presented him as a damaged son raised by an abusive father and controlling mother. They argued Celeste designed the financial crimes, Marcus committed the violence, and both wives coordinated their stories after discovering the fortune at stake.
Elena testified for two days.
The defense attorney asked why she stayed after the first assault.
“Because he apologized, isolated me, controlled information, and convinced me the next incident would be my fault,” she said.
“Yet you are an educated, wealthy woman.”
“Abuse is not an intelligence test.”
The courtroom remained silent.
Marissa testified next. She described eight years inside Crosswell. Dr. Baines tried to invoke patient confidentiality until the judge reminded him that fraud was not medical care.
Margaret’s recording from the gala played for the jury.
They heard Damien’s voice close to Elena’s face. They heard her struggle to breathe. They heard Celeste say nothing while Victor and police approached through the corridor.
The defense claimed the mother staged the scene.
Margaret answered, “I arranged witnesses. Damien arranged his hand.”
Victor testified about concealing Ben’s report. The prosecution did not soften his failure. That honesty made the rest of his evidence more credible.
Then Marcus took the stand.
He confirmed Damien removed Ben’s emergency rope and later ordered the psychiatric plan for Elena. He admitted threatening Crane and framing Margaret’s account.
Damien watched him with cold disbelief.
The jury convicted Damien on every count before it.
During sentencing, he turned toward Elena.
“You will spend the rest of your life telling my story.”
Elena stood only when the judge allowed her victim statement.
“No,” she said. “I will spend the rest of my life telling mine. You are simply a chapter I survived.”
Damien received a sentence that ensured he would be old before any possibility of release.
Celeste’s trial remained.
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And one unanswered question still haunted Margaret:
Who had warned Damien that Ben discovered the fraud in the first place?
