Chapter 19 - Arthur’s plea
Arthur pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense involving intentional physical contact with a child and related child-endangerment conduct.
No felony.
No attempted murder.
No jail term measured in years.
The court considered:
Gigi’s young age.
Intentional strike.
Lack of serious injury.
Arthur’s lack of prior criminal record.
His acceptance, eventually, of responsibility.
Sentence:
Probation.
Mandatory anger-management and child-safety intervention.
Community service.
No direct contact with Gigi during supervision unless I expressly agreed and the court approved modification.
A fine.
Restitution for a small amount of medical and counseling costs.
He gave up firearm possession? Not needed.
No.
Grounded.
At sentencing, Arthur said:
“I hit a child because I was angry she didn’t obey me. I had no right to do that.”
The judge asked:
“Your niece?”
“Yes.”
“Two years old?”
“Yes.”
He looked sick saying it.
Good.
Not because I wanted humiliation.
Because the facts deserved their real proportions.
I did not ask for prison.
My victim statement was short.
Gigi recovered physically. I want the court to treat the fact that she was not seriously injured as fortunate, not as evidence the act was acceptable.
That was all.
Arthur looked at me afterward.
May you like
I did not.
Not yet.
