"Are you sure?" The judge questioned looking down at Joe who hesitated but nodded his head slightly knowing that he was making the right decision.
"I-I couldn't live with myself if he died no matter what he's put me through in the past." Joe confessed still nobody able to hear them making Demi and his family worried and confused about what he was doing and Gary himself. The judge excused himself in front of the room heading down to the jury having a chat with them before making his way back up to his podium.
"You may take a seat again Joseph," He stated Joe taking in a deep breath as he took his seat back next to his mother taking hold of her hand again. "Joseph has requested that Gary Newman escapes the death penalty and spends the rest of his life in prison. We decided to agree, I sentence Gary Newman to a lifetime imprisonment without parole." The decision was made final when he gravel up knocking it down on the desk. Joe looked over at Gary who was speechless.
"Thank you." He mouthed Joe nodding his head once before getting up leaving the room and the building completely running his fingers through his hair as he took in a deep breath of fresh air. He soon felt a hand on his arm looking around seeing Demi stood there.
"It was very brave what you did in there Joe." Demi praised taking hold of his hands forcing them out of his hair. She frowned when she saw a tear escape from his eyes.
"I-I can't help but think whether I made the right choice, he'd be completely gone if I allowed the first sentence but..." Joe begun but Demi interrupted him.
"But you couldn't live with yourself if you allowed him to die because of what he had done?" Demi guessed finishing his sentence. Joe sighed nodding his head.
"I'm sure he's grateful Joe and I'm proud of you for standing up because if you don't feel as if he deserved to die then you just changed the man's life. Don't be too down about it okay? He's gone now, out of your life and you can concentrate on the boys and us." Joe smiled leaning down kissing her lips before laying his forehead on hers.
"I love you so much." He whispered.
"I love you too Joe," Demi breathed squeezing his hands as the tears fell faster down his cheeks. "Hey don't cry it's all over."
"I'm just so happy." Joe choked Demi smiling as she wrapped her arms around his middle bringing him into an embrace.
"I'm glad you're happy.
Joe hugged Beth back before they pulled away holding onto Sarah's and Demi's hands. They were all relieved what had happened today. Gary had gotten what he deserved and was out their lives, he wasn't able to pester them anymore. They all agreed with Joe's decision once he had explained himself, he knew he made the right decision sending Gary to jail rather than his death. He may have put him through a lot but death wasn't the way to go, he never agreed to the death penalty and was even more against it now. He didn't see why anyone would want to kill anyone.
"I just want to get home to the boys." Joe breathed.
"I think you need a good rest Joe." Denise stated as they begun to walk back home Joe relieved to be around his family again.
"Yeah, I feel like I could sleep for two days straight." He mumbled.
"We're all so proud of you Joe." Jenna praised Joe smiling as he looked towards the ground. He hoped now to settle down a little bit, spend more time with Demi. Spend more time with his family and most importantly spend time with Jayden and Niall. They were dependant on him but he couldn't imagine not having them around.
"I've only just realised how outnumbered I really am, it's a good job we had boys Dems otherwise I'd stand no chance." Joe joked smiling as they all laughed.
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