The trial became one of the biggest public scandals in the state. Newspapers covered the story every single day. During the proceedings, the prosecutor presented the dashcam footage, the text messages, and the recorded conversations. Austin continued lying, Sheila begged for sympathy, and my parents searched for excuses. None of it mattered because the evidence spoke for itself.
Austin was sentenced to twelve years behind bars. Sheila received an eleven-year sentence. My parents each received eight years in prison for helping conceal the crime. Abigail coll@psed after hearing the verdict, while my father suddenly looked like a tired, defeated old man.
One week later, the old family home in Columbus was auctioned to compensate Marcus Green’s family. I purchased it for less than half its value because no one wanted a house connected to such a tragic history.
Sheila called me once from prison.
“Please buy the house and keep it for my son,” she begged. “Don’t be so heartless.”
