It's been two weeks since Shane's dad got arrested.
Today is the day of the court hearing.
I dressed in a red flannel, with black vans and black jeans and Shane wore a cropped sweater, with high waisted jeans so it didn't show his stomach. (Cause ya know, he wanted to look at least a little professional.)
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Morgan and Teresa wore white dresses with black jackets and leggings, along with black high heels.
It's freezing because it's fucking December 21st, so Morgan was extremely pissed about wearing that outfit.
She said she'd rather lie in bed wearing her black leggings and hoodie.
What an icon!
After I tell my dad goodbye, (I already explained everything to him weeks ago) I head to Shane's house.
We all get in my car together and head to court.
We got a fantastic lawyer so we're all feeling pretty confident right now.
We walk into this huge courthouse, and meet up with the lawyer.
"Over these last few weeks, I've been searching for evidence; checking security cameras, doing background checks, etc, and I think I've got a perfectly solid case. But my opinion is as worthless as a face down penny to the judge." The lawyer says, adjusting his tux.
"Order in the court!" The judge says, slamming his gavel.
We get to out seats in the front, and Teresa reminds Morgan to act like a lady.
"Time for opening statements. Prosecutor, your up!" The judge says.
Our lawyer walks up, straightening his tie.
"I'm here to explain the story. Shane took Ryland to his house. They were planning on telling Morgan and Teresa about their relationship."
"Morgan and Teresa took it well, but our defendant didn't. He was supposed to be at work, but happened to come home."
"Then, he started screaming at each of them, yelling homophobic slurs at Shane and Ryland, and threatening to harm Ryland."
"Then, to protect his boyfriend, Shane punched his father after he touched Ryland. His father punched him back and Shane knocked him out."
"The defendant is abusive to his daughter, son, wife, and acquaintances. I one hundred percent believe his was guilty of the crimes he's been accused of. Thank you your honor." Our lawyer says.
"Thank you. Defense attorney, your up!" The judge yells.
The defense attorneys walks up, looking quite unsure and nervous, but trying to act confident.
Probably because he knows what he's about to say is bullshit.
"To summarize the story. My client came home to a random person in his home, that he didn't know and didn't invite. He has the right to be upset."
"He never yelled homophobic slurs, and he never abused anyone. Shane hit him first. That's aggravated assault. It was self defense to hit Shane back. Shane had no right to put his hands on him, and definitely no right to knock him out. Thank you your honor." The defense attorney says, acting like he didn't just fabricate that whole, god damn, story.
"Thank you. Now, prosecutor, present your case." The judge says.
"I'll like to call Shane Dawson, witness one to the stand." Our lawyer says.
Shane let's go of my hand and walks up to the stand.
"Do you promise to tell the truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth?" The judge asks.
"I do." Shane says.
"Was everything I just said correct?" Our lawyer asks Shane, and he nods.
"So Shane, name the times your father has abused you, and why." The lawyer asks Shane, and the defense attorneys face goes white.
"Objection!" He yells.
"Overruled!" The judge says, allowing us to continue.
"There's been a lot of verbal and physical abuse ever since he started realizing I wasn't straight. He started really realizing it 3 years ago. Ever since then he'd abuse me, sometimes my sister if she stuck up for me. He abuse my mom, and cheat on her. He's just a horrible person." Shane says, and our lawyer smirks.
"Wow! Just happens I've got everything he just explained on camera!" He says.
Then he pulls up videos of Shane's dad beating him, Morgan, and Teresa.
And the dates go as far back as 3 years ago.
There had to have been 50 clips of him abusing his family.
"But this is the clip you guys have been waiting for..." our lawyer says, and pulls up the fight from two weeks ago.
Since Shane's security cameras also record sound, the defendant attorney was caught in a lie.
"As you can see, everything the defense attorney said was a lie. We have audio and video of this dad abusing his family for years. I don't even think I need to bring my other 3 witnesses to the stand. I rest my case your honor." Our lawyer says confidently.
"Thank you, Defense attorney, your up!" The judge says.
He basically just tried to backtrack and cover up, but we had solid proof his ass was guilty.
"We will call all of you back when we have reached a verdict." The judge says banging his gavel and looking at the jury.
We all walk out of the courtroom.
Instead of talking to the lawyer, like Morgan and Teresa, I sat down on a bench next to Shane.
"You ok?" I ask him, and he chuckles.
"I should've called the police sooner..." he whispers, sighing.
"Why didn't you?" I ask, and Shane tucks his knees to his chest, hugging them.
"I was scared. And so was Teresa and Morgan. So we zipped our mouths and dealt with it, trying to walk around eggshells to avoid setting him off." He whispers, and I pull him into my chest, hoping to comfort him.
*****
They call us back into the courtroom after not to long.
"We have reached a final verdict." The judge exclaims, banging his gavel.
I grab Shane's hand, noticing how nervous he was.
I kiss his cheek, and whisper a few words of encouragement in his ear.
"For multiple counts of child abuse and domestic abuse, I declare the defendant..." the judge says.
"Guilty."
I have never been happier to hear a word in my life.
Shane gets up and cheers, as does most of the court.
I get up and stand beside him.
Suddenly, he grabs me, pulling me into an hug and spinning me around as he giggles.
"He will be fined $4,500, lose custody of his kids, have a restraining order against him, and be sentenced to 12 years in prison." The judge says.
As walk out of the courthouse, we see Shane's dad being lead out in handcuffs.
"I feel like justice has been served." Shane says, and I nod.
"Are y'all up for hot chocolate? I know A good cafe down the street..." Morgan asks, and we all nod.
"Hot chocolate it is..." she says chuckling.
And the was the last time I ever saw Shane's father.
