The Trial of Hildmor d'Kridis

[*Reptiller]

For some reason, Hildmor seems to be holding back a laughter...And then gives a motion for Charles to procceed.

[*shadowblizmasta]

Isendis coughs in the back, still waiting to be called to the stand.

[*Darkrob]

Your honour, Mr. DÂ’Kridis was brought to trial for the following. Bribing officials, Bribing witnesses, blackmailing and threatening a common citizen and blackmailing Officer Erroc. We have heard their evidence on the charge of bribing a court official. We have heard their evidence on bribing a court witness.

The prosecution has brought no evidence forward on the blackmailing or threatening charges. These two charges must immediately be dropped due to lack of evidence.

As for the restÂ…

Your honour, the defence will now explain why the accused should be found innocent on all countsÂ… contrary to the malicious attacks by the prosecution. The following is based on the prosecutions statements.

FACT: Hildmor d'Kridis swayed the outcome of the previous course by bribing both an important witness and the unfortunate Mr Stickley. We have written testimonies from both, the testimony from Mr. Stickley already having been submitted in this trial, the testimony from Khazeet, currently in the hands of Move Cratten Erroc, but runners have been dispatched requesting this. If necessary, we will have Khazeet write a new one

Fact: Mr DÂ’Kridis bribed neither witness. If the witnessÂ’s testimony is to be taken at face value then one must use all of it, not simply parts of it. Mr. DÂ’Kridis was approached by the witness who demanded payment in return for services in court. Demanded payment or McStickly might ensure Mr. DÂ’Kridis would go away for much longer than that he already risked.. as Mr. DÂ’Kridis believed was being implied. Fearing he would be railroaded should he refuse, he agreed to go along with it. The aggressors in this act are the prosecutions witnesses, not the accusedÂ… but the Harmonium have already forgiven them of their crimes. Harmonium justiceÂ… release two criminals to catch oneÂ… an interesting fact of its own.

FACT: It was witnessed by several people AND I have depositions here from several Harmonium officers who were on duty at the time of the incident who witnessed Mr d'Kridis assault the victim.

There was no charge today brought before the court for this incident. It must be stricken from record.

FACT: Mr d'Kridis is not associated or affiliated in any way with the Harmonium or Mercykillers, he is in fact, a member of the Independent League, and last i heard, they have no jursdiction over keeping the peace or bringing down wanted criminals, in the Bazaar or elsewhere

Let me make this clear, he had no jurisdiction to make any sort of assault upon the victim.

AgainÂ… there was no charge today brought forward for this incident. The prosecution must stop making up stories to bolster their case. It must be stricken from the record.

FACT: It is clear from all witness accounts that Mr d'Kridis was not acting in self-defense but attacked first, before, I may add, the Harmonium officers in the Bazaar could move in to take action. In fact, there are no reports that Mr d'Kridis even attempted to bring the matter to the attention of the Harmonium.

I will, again, voice my insistence that this be stricken from record. There is no charge today before the court for this incident.

FACT: Mr d'Kridis has approached many members of different factions in an attempt to undermine the authority of the Triad of Order by supplanting the Harmonium in the Great Bazaar with his own Indep Mercentaries. I have depositions and records here testifying to this fact, including, yes, a deposition from Duke Rowan Darkwood of the Fated testifying that on more than one occasion has Mr d'Kridis discussed with him his plans for replacing the Harmonium and seeking his support in this matter.

Fact: We are not here to discuss any plans involving this opinion. Mr. DÂ’Kridis is not on trial for this and no charges today are before the courts in reference to these opinions. They must be stricken from record.

FACT: That Hildmor d'Kridis actually has a record of assaulting people in the Bazaar. We have a deposition here from the Doomguard stating that one of their own was firstly struck down by Hildmor in the Bazaar a year ago, and not content with that, Hildmor stole his soul and placed it in a gem, and torured the trapped spirit, until he was finally released by the direct intervention and command of the Harmonium.

Fact: We are not here to discuss this opinion. Mr. DÂ’Kridis is not on trial for this and no charges today are before the courts in reference to these opinions. They must be stricken from record.

And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is clear from the evidence presented that Hildmor d'Kridis believes that he has some sort of authority over law and order in the Bazaar. That he believes he is free to act with impunity within the environs of the Bazaar and is free from prosecution should be assault someone there.

Again, your honour, we are not here to discuss any plans involving this opinion. Mr. DÂ’Kridis is not on trial for this. The prosecution simply attempts to smear the character of the accused in an attempt to bolster an already shaky case. His personal opinions on matters not before this court must be stricken from record.

Added to this the proof to subvert the very course of justice within this very courtroom with bribes, i can only conclude that Hildmor d'Kridis is a dangerous individual, a man on a power trip, who seeks to subvert the authority of the establishment.

I call for this court to apply the maximum penalties for Perverting the Course of Justice and for Assault with Lethal Intent, which, as i recall, comes to over 10 years of Hard Labour in the Mercykiller prison and mines in Archeron. Perhaps after such, Mr d'Kridis will learn a proper appreciation for the law.

Your honourÂ… The Prosecutions opinion means little if he has to reach out of the courtroom and grasp incidents with which the accused has already been found innocent or have simply been dismissed due to lack of evidence or witness or are merely fantasies dreamt up by his malicious attackers. We do not try cases on opinion. This is not a tea room in a seniorÂ’s complex in the ladies ward.

The prosecution purchased the testimony of the witnesses in much the same manner that Mr. DÂ’Kridis is being accused of. The Harmonium seized them by force and told them to give them what they want or rot in prison. Most sane people would make up any testimony to get out of that situation as most able people would pay to do the same. Mr. DÂ’Kridis was on the cusp of being hung in a kangaroo court if he did not comply with the witnessÂ’s demands. I doubt there are many who would not submit to the tactic used by those in authority in the courts.

Mr. DÂ’Kridis has done much good for the city. He has brought jobs, opportunity and allowed for everyday citizens to better the lives of their families by working for him. Send him to prison for simply bowing to the extortion forced upon him by the prosecutions witnesses would not only send an innocent man to the MecrykillersÂ… but would also deprive many of their livelihoods. He must be exonerated and released. It is the only just thing to do.

[*shadowblizmasta]

*Isendis speaks up again at this*

As I said, I have produced Sensory Stones, and had both given directly to the Fraternity, as well as Khazeet, Xan, or Agranwen could verify what I said. In the second case of threats, they were not whispered, and in fact were said out loud. And come now, Charles, everyone knows you are good friends with the Defendant. Here I thought attorneys were supposed to be unbiased. . . ah well.

[*Darkrob]

Your honour, defence has seen no evidence to back these claims. It is possible that citizen Erroc may have taken them along with the rest of the prosecutions case?

Well that certainly places the prosecution in a bind... which is of no consiquence to the defence. We are not going to wait until the prosecution gets their house in order. We have been instructed to bring this case to a close and it will not be delayed by such tactics.

... oh... and please instruct the witness to remain silent until addressed?

*nods and sits*

[*Sareth675]

Ea'ral would... rather smugly inform the Bailiff to tell the judge he has a copy of both stones, supplied by Isendis incase something did happen. He would willingly give them over if required.

[*Darkrob]

***And the defence would object to unauthorized evidence being handed over to the court, by people unknown to the case, to be used by the prosecution. The supposed evidence is undeclared and not in the hands of the court to ensure impartiality. It would be officially objected as there was also no mention of copies being made (at any point either IC or ooc). It would be pointed out that spectators must be kept as just that... spectators, as the constant interuptions from the gallery only belittles the courts authority.

The defence would simply demand the courts quash the unofficial interference of the spectators in court by reminding the judge that last time people were able to walk in off the street to do as they wished... all hell broke loose and the court nearly lost control of the trial.

The defence reminds the court that if people are permitted to come and go as they please then the defence will hold the court in no confidence of its ability to maintain order***

[*Xndar]

The judge listens to the respective arguments before waving its gavel in the air

"Your words and arguments are noted. Let us move on with the witnesses so we can move as expediently as possible toward the resolution of this trial"

[*shadowblizmasta]

*Isendis takes the witness stand and begins*

Now, I know I am not the prosecutor in this, but I would recommend that we have every witness, as well as the prosecution and defense, go through a Circle of Truth so that we know for fact that none of us are lying in this case, and I feel it would expedite matters greatly.

*pauses for a bit and waits for consideration, but with or without the Circle, he would continue*

Now, this all started with the first time Hildmor went to trial, just a few short months ago. I had reported what seemed to be a crime in the making, and not long afterwards, Hildmor himself had approached me, with his dog Raven in tow, and attempted to bribe, and subtly threaten me into either altering my testimony, or not testifying at all. Naturally, I played along to his face, but refused to buy into his farce of justice. After this trial ended inconclusively, he had openly threatened me in the bar, saying that "I am godsdamned pissed off" and that "The Guvners are off my trail." This was said without whispering at all, mind you, as I am sure good friend Khazeet could confirm. He threatened me, still openly, to pay him a sum of 50,000 jink, and then later moved on to whispered threats, saying that I should not bring this to court if I would like to live. I do believe he is serious, and will attempt to kill me should he go free, and every word stated in both sensory stones that I sent in are factual.

*quiets down and waits for any further questions*

[*Agony_Aunt]

Victor passes a note to Charles as Isendis speaks:

I believe my points are all pertinent, and they all relate to the initial case and charges upon which brought this case before the courts.

But, if you sincerely object to including these charges as things stand, i can submit the appropriate paperwork for a second trial to include all charges.

Please, just let me know, ill have the paperwork drawn up today.

He also passes a note to the judge via a bailff which basically states the same thing, letting the judge know that if these items are not to be considered, then a second trial will occur.