Joyce took the stand regarding her role in collecting evidence via the audio/visual surveillance. She testified to Jodi’s behavior and violent outbursts after Tina’s disappearance and the changes she’d observed in Kelly Wentworth’s behavior and lifestyle. The prosecution had an airtight case against both women. The trials ran concurrently and the convictions and verdicts happened within three months of the arrests.

Jodi Lerner was charged and convicted for the attempted murder of Tina Kennard as well as witness tampering in the case of Kelly Wentworth whom she’d coerced into lying to the police and threatened to kill if she talked. Due to the gravity of the crimes and Jodi’s sociopathic propensities for violence it was feared that she would be a danger to society. It was also acknowledged that she would be a continued threat to Tina Kennard and possibly others involved in her apprehension. Therefore the prosecution asked for no leniency in the sentencing phase. She was given the maximum of 30 years with no eligibility for parole.

Kelly Wentworth received a lesser sentence of 25 years. She’d testified against Jodi Lerner. Although equally culpable, her admission of guilt and her cooperation with the prosecution was taken into consideration in her sentencing. She would be eligible for parole after 20 years but her jail time included rehabilitation for the alcoholism and mandatory psychological treatment. She’d suffered a psychotic breakdown as a result of the post-traumatic stress of having witnessed the murder attempt, and being involved in the cover-up to protect Jodi.

Her diminishing mental capacity was resultant from the cruelty, violence, physical and sexual abuse, the heavy drinking, the inability to cope, the fear and everything else she’d endured under Jodi’s rule. She would serve her time in a mental health unit of the Los Angeles County corrections facility under a doctor’s care for an undetermined timeframe. Kelly would not be released into the general population until she was diagnosed fit to do so, and for the time being was also under suicide watch as a precautionary measure.

***

With Phyllis Kroll’s influence they were able to keep Tina and Kennard Inc.’s exposure to a minimum. Tina didn’t make any public appearances nor did she give statements or interviews until after the trial and the verdict were sealed. Once that was over she focused the attention on her spring art exhibit at the Hammer Museum.