The Fight of My Life – “Escaping Scam City | THE VERDICT | (EPILOGUE)”

Podcast: The Fight of My Life
Host: Cadence Productions
Episode Date: July 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This epilogue is the emotional conclusion to the season chronicling the story of Ava and Micah, two survivors ensnared in a vast Southeast Asian scam syndicate and subsequent legal chaos. With audiences anxiously awaiting news of Ava’s trial, this episode delivers the long-awaited verdict and shares the devastating aftermath. The production team, moved by Ava's continued plight and the failures of the justice system, takes the unprecedented step of rallying their listeners to help fund a fair legal appeal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anticipation & Arrival at Court

• [00:52] Ava describes her hopeful outlook heading to court, planning a family celebration assuming acquittal.
  • Notable quote: “I was really quite excited... I was confident that I’d be acquitted... I’m gonna bring my kids to the beach and we're going to celebrate.” —Ava [00:52]

2. Legal Setbacks: No-Show Lawyer

• [01:35] Ava's lawyer, working pro bono, does not appear for the verdict.
  • The prosecutor assures her lawyers “don’t have to come” for verdicts, further eroding Ava’s sense of security.
  • Notable quote: “He told me he wasn’t going to come… So I actually went to ask the prosecutor, is it normal that lawyers don’t come?” —Ava [01:46]

3. The Verdict Reading

• [02:36 - 03:22] Judges read verdicts for nearly thirty minutes; Ava is defendant number three among 24.
  • Ava, her co-defendants, and her supporters are shocked: she is found guilty of “scamming” and sentenced to 40 months in jail.
  • Production note: Nine defendants are acquitted—including Ava’s uncle, whose situation and defense mirrored Ava’s almost exactly.

4. Legal Error: Misfiled Documents

• [04:24] Ava realizes her key trafficking evidence was submitted under her uncle’s name, not hers.
  • Notable quote: “I immediately knew... there was something wrong—he didn’t hand in the documents.” —Ava [04:24]
  • Host explains the lawyer’s documentation mistake is the likely reason for the harsh outcome.

5. Emotional Fallout

• [05:12 - 05:54]
  • Ava describes collapsing emotionally and physically after the verdict:
    • Notable quote: “They cuffed my hands... I collapsed... It was like I was in a dream. I felt like my brain wasn’t operating. I wasn’t hearing anything.” —Ava [05:12]
  • Micah describes his frustration, exhaustion, and heartbreak for his family and his aging parents:
    • Notable quote: “I really like frustrated. Yeah, really, we are really innocent. And then... when will this kind of thing be finished in my life?” —Micah [05:54]

6. Next Steps: Appeal & Call for Help

• [06:46]
  • Ava’s lawyer disappears post-verdict. She registers her intention to appeal and Micah borrows a large sum for bail.
  • Host emphasizes their dire financial and emotional straits.
  • Host’s reflection: “They've done so much fighting and now they need to fight again.” [07:29]

7. Action: Community Support & GoFundMe Launch

• [07:29 - End]
  • The podcast team launches a GoFundMe to hire a paid criminal defence lawyer for Ava’s appeal.
  • They aim to raise $5,000 for legal fees; anything extra will support Ava and Micah directly.
  • Notable quote: “What I want most is for Micah and Ava to feel it. That they're not forgotten, they're not walking this road alone, that there's a community out there... willing to fight for it with them.” —Host [07:29–end]
  • The episode closes with a call for support, both financial and emotional, and promises future updates.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Ava: “I was really looking forward to the end of this... I felt confident that I’d be acquitted.” [00:52]
• Ava: “The lawyer… wasn’t going to come… I went to ask the prosecutor, is it normal?” [01:46]
• Ava: “I immediately knew... there was something wrong that he didn’t hand in the documents.” [04:24]
• Ava: “They cuffed my hands and… At that instant, I collapsed. I cried. I was brain dead.” [05:12]
• Micah: “I really like frustrated. Yeah, really, we are really innocent. And then when this kind of thing will be finished in my life?” [05:54]
• Host: “They've done so much fighting and now they need to fight again.” [07:29]
• Host: “What I want most is for Micah and Ava to feel it. That they're not forgotten... that there's a community out there, one that believes in justice...” [07:29–end]

Key Timestamps

• [00:52] Ava’s anticipation and description of the final court day.
• [01:46] Lawyer absence and Ava’s growing concern.
• [02:36] Procedural delays and final announcement of the verdict.
• [03:02] Ava’s sentencing; guilt and punishment.
• [04:24] Discovery of the legal error that cost Ava her acquittal.
• [05:12] Ava’s and Micah's emotional collapse post-verdict.
• [06:46] Appeal process begins; dire financial situation.
• [07:29–end] Podcast team’s call to action and GoFundMe announcement.

Tone & Mood

True to the series, this episode maintains a raw, empathetic, and urgent tone—heartbroken yet determined. The speakers convey palpable exhaustion but also a refusal to back down, extending a hand to listeners to join the fight for real justice.

Summary

In “The Verdict (Epilogue),” The Fight of My Life draws back the curtain on the devastation wrought by legal missteps and systemic failure. Despite mountain-high hopes, Ava is handed down a guilty verdict, her innocence seemingly buried by a lawyer’s careless mistake. The emotional toll on her and Micah is gutting. Refusing to let the fight end here, the podcast team catalyzes a real-world movement: rallying listeners for financial and moral support to ensure Ava gets the defence she deserves on her last, desperately crucial appeal.

Links for support: GoFundMe (see show notes or fightofmylifepodcast.com).