30minutes (Complete)

#1week later#
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"Today is the sentencing of the defendant for the murder of Jay Walker and Sezar Julien, And in a way it's the second time their families are gathered again to grieve.
It's also a day for Smith's family to grieve for the future of their son.
All three of these families and the friends of these families are suffering, and all of their lives have been irrevocably changed because of the actions of the defendant.
The unintended and collateral consequences of a reckless, cruel action taken by the defendant will ripple forever in time.
It's literally changed history, because it ended two lives. Two young men are dead, their deaths were horrible, tragic and terrifying.
The defendant did not control the events nor the murder was intentional.
The review of the evidence supports the factual findings, the forensic testimony, the testimony of Rony Sergi, the testimony of the emergency doctors who treated the defendant, the testimony of those who knew the victims and the defendant.
However, the murder could've been avoided,
The defendant wasn't completely cornered and thus shooting the victims wasn't the only option nor his only way out of the situation.

The difficulty of sentencing today honestly is whether or not I believe you should get a reduced sentence, I'm troubled that should I give you a reduced sentence that people will believe that somehow I'm being disrespectful to the victims but on the other hand I have to ease the punishment because it's important to consider the defendant's clean record, age, motives and conditions.
I understand that the pain in this room wants me to impose the harshest sentence but I don't believe that would the appropriate sentence.
So Kai smith is sentenced on count one, the murder of Sezar Julien, 6 years and on count two the murder of Jay Walker, 6 years, to be served consecutively."

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-Charlie: "I'm sorry Matthew.. you trusted me for once in your life and I.. I failed you."

-Matthew: "No.. it wasn't your fault.. I should've been more careful.. I'm sure we would've won the case if not for Angelo playing another filthy game of his.. I should've acted before he could,
the reason I didn't go to any illegal ways to win it was because I was confident that we're winning.. not because I'm against it.. I don't care about what's wrong and what's right when it comes to Kai.. but this is what happens when you let your guard down with Angelo.."

Matthew tightened his grip on the terrace fence as he continued

"I fucking hate this feeling of helplessness."

Charlie wrapped one arm around Matthew and used the other to support Matthew's weight

-Charlie: "don't go hard on yourself.. you did your best."

After minutes of silence, Matthew broke it asking

-Matthew: "..Charlie.. do you think that people like Kai deserve to be in jail?"

-Charlie: "No.. if it was for me, I'd honor him.. Everyone who kills for the same reason should be considered a hero..
But you see Matthew.. justice and law aren't the same thing.. the law can be sometimes unjust but we still have to follow even if we don't get justice."

-Matthew: "I can't even blame him.. I can't help but feel small.. you know..
Those who got fears.. hate can't take over them... And those who're full of hate.. their fears can't hold them back..
That's the difference between me and Kai, I could've announced a war against Angelo the day Jhon was murdered but I was afraid.. I was afraid of getting Kai and Shiley harmed,
my priority was to protect them not to take revenge and I'm sure that's what Jhon would want me to prioritize.. and I was afraid of losing everything that I worked hard for..
I spent my life living in fear.. avoiding any kind of transaction that involves Angelo because of that.."