Chapter 185 Serene's Sentencing

• Mr Johnson shook Mr Cole’s hand and said, “ You handled the case well. I don’t see Serene escaping the hands of justice. As for my wife, I don’t know what to do with her.” Mr Cole smiled, then they left the courtroom. Outside the courtroom, he saw Patrick and Timothy. He walked to them and greeted them and thanked them for their support. The reporters wanted to interview the Johnson family, but they were told that they were in mourning. They left them alone. Ben, the reporter, had an exclusive interview with James Johnson. In the car, there was silence. Mr Johnson looked at his son and said, “Son, I echoed Sandra’s words. I wished you would have tried harder when you were married to Victoria. Even though your mother hated Victoria, as her husband, you would have found a way to protect her. The pain which was caused by Serene is unbearable.” James replied, “Dad, the human heart is so deep. I never thought that Serene’s heart was so evil. Victoria was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I allowed her to slip out of my hands. The Anthony family is so lucky. The Lord has blessed them with two children, whereas I lost my only son. My heart is overwhelmed with sadness. I made bad choices Daddy.” James dropped his parents at the Johnson residence and went to his apartment.
• Judge Harris banged his gavel to indicate that the court was in session. Mr Cole indicated that even though the recording was not permissible in court, Sandra’s testimony was credible. She was allowed to be manipulated by young Mrs Johnson because she was in love with young Mr Johnson. He further indicated that young Mrs Johnson killed her child because of greed. It was clear to the court that young Mrs Johnson never loved her husband, and she hated his family for interfering in their love lives. He submitted that section 51 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997 states that if a murder is premeditated the prescribed sentence is life imprisonment. He argued that Serene committed a crime that led to a 39-week fetus’ death. Furthermore, he reminded the court that young Mrs Johnson committed another crime while she was out on bail for attempted murder.
• Mr Rudy was not aware that his client was out on bail. He looked at Serene with questioning eyes. Serene looked at her nails. He felt that the promise he made to her of less than twenty years in prison was out of the window. He put himself together and smiled at the judge. He argued that if old Mrs Johnson didn’t allow his client to attend the party, the baby would still be alive. He indicated that Mr Johnson asked his client to abort the baby when she was two months pregnant, indicating that he didn't love his son. He indicated that his client was very young, she was twenty-four years old, and she was protected and pampered by her late parents. When she lost her parents, the Johnson family failed to notify his client about her parents' funeral. The Johnsons indicated that her father left a letter, but his client felt that it was forged by Mr Johnson. He asked Judge Harris to be lenient to his client. Then he sat down.