Rick and Lee both stood up as the jury was about to state the verdict and the nerves in Rick started to flare.
“ On the sole count of the indiatment murder in the first degree how do you find.” Judge Donnelly asked
“ On the charge of murder in the first degree, we of the jury find the defendant Richard Webber guilty.”
“ Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the city of Port Charles thanks you for your service. You are excused.”
The jury cleared out while everyone was in shock by the verdict and Lee had to do his best to keep Rick calm as much as possible
“ Lee, they actually came back with a guilty verdict…. How am I supposed to just remain calm…. Especially as they think I actually could hurt and take Lesley's life… I love Lesley, she had always come first to me.”
“ Rick, I'm going to start the appeal paperwork as soon as possible. Right now we have to worry about the sentencing and what it most likely could be.”
The judge came back from Chambers shortly after taking a few moments to get a clear thought. “ This case, like any other homicide case, has been a difficult case to deal with and my heart goes out to the family of the victim. Doctor Richard Webber, do you understand that given the nature of your heinous acts you have been found guilty of this crime in which that has been brought against you and I can by law under the New York statute sentence you up to 15 years to life in prison for this crime as I also can place you up to death row for a period of 3 years?.”
“ Yes your honor I do understand.”
“ Your honor if I may, address the court, the victim's mother has a victim impact statement she would like to make.” ADA Barba requested
“ You may proceed counselor.”
Jessie made sure her statement of impact was accurate to a tee as things so far in Rick's plan to keep Lesley safe was working but Jessie also found it hard to think about how could be if this was regarding her biological daughter.
“ I want to thank the court for allowing me to stand here today to address the man that ended the life of my only remaining child who was once lost before but found after 31 years of torture for my husband and I. Lesley was a mother, a friend, a doctor, but most importantly she was a daughter…. She was my daughter and now you've taken her from her family, and from me. On the day that she and you reconnected and decided to remarry I was happy and excited because she was happy. It's been 1 month and 2 days since I learned that my only remaining child was murdered and was never seen again and every day as a parent I have to live with the burden of thinking that there was a way that I could have saved her from the nightmare that I didn't want for her. What makes this even more difficult for me to say it's that Rick you became like a son to me the day that Lesley was married to you and since the weeks that I have gotten to know you until this very moment. I have lost all sense of who you are compared to who I thought you were and now I don't know how to make of it. As a mother I hope you're punished to the fullest extent so not only I can rest easy at night but my baby can finally be at rest knowing that her killer is locked up. Thank you.” Jessie stepped away to sit back down
“ Richard Webber, will you please rise as I give the sentence of your case...” judge Donnelly started to say.
“ Richards Webber you have been found guilty in the eyes of the law of murder in the first degree. Therefore I sentence you to life in prison with no parole….. this court is adjourned.” the judge slammed her gravel as she stood up to head to chambers
Lee started on the appeal paperwork right away as Joe came back into town with who it really was that was threatening Rick's family but got the shocking news from Lee that they actually got a verdict back unexpectedly.
