The Trial of Hildmor d'Kridis

[*Mr_Otyugh]

[i]I expect an immediate transfer to Harmonium barracks then. I have work to do.[/i] [/li]

*he'd willingly walk away with his possessions, but refuse to remain within the highcourt premises*

[*Reptiller]

By that time, Hildmor calmly passes a third note to a bailif...

[*Agony_Aunt]

The doors to the courtroom fly open with a crash almost taking them off their hinges and in walks a rather large and impressive looking Harmonium officer.

Scurring behind him is a frazzled looking Guvner bailiff who is unsuccessfully trying to stop the Harmonium while at the same time desparately trying to make hand signs to Plargh that he did his best.

Following the first Harmonium is another, dressed rugged Harmonium leathers rather than plate, indicative of a Harmonium runner.

A few steps behind these walks in a rather trim and smartly dressed man in a morning suit and a holding a cane.

"ORDER!" shouts the Harmonium officer. "WE WILL HAVE ORDER!"

He turns to Cratten who is being led out, and addresses the bailiffs leading him "HOLD!"

The smaller smartly dressed man steps around the Harmonium officer and walks to Plargh.

Speaking loud enough to be heard by most of the courtroom, but addressing his words to Plargh he says:

"Victor Mabel, B3 Bureau of Inter-Faction Affairs. It is with luck I was in the courthouse. When things started to turn barmy a Harmonium runner brought Officer Ivan there calling" nodding towards the large Harmonium. "I managed to intercept them and persuaded him to let me handle the situation in a calm manner"

By the doors Ivan "The Wall" grunted loudly.

Victor turns to the court and addresses it general.

"I'd like to remind all present that the Triad of Order has clearly defined areas of responsibility. As the alleged crime occurred within Sigil, the defendant was arrested in Sigil, the trial is happening in Sigil, it is clearly within the province of the Fraternity to hold jurisdiction over the trial.

I have sent a runner to the Barracks seeking agreement of this from the ranking Harmonium present there. I expect no disagreement.

In the meantime, court is adjourned, Officer Erroc is free to remain but will step down from the prosecution position and be quiet. The court remains under the jurisdiction of Brother Plargh.

Furthermore, the charges will not be dropped at this time even should the Harmonium withdraw their charges. There is large public interest in seeing this case prosecuted both to the full and within full accordance with the law."

He smiles widely

"Once a replacement prosecutor has been assigned the court will proceed. Officer Ivan I will appoint a temporarily bailiff to the court with full right to deal with any further disruptions as he sees fit"

Ivan cracks his knuckles to emphasise the point. Those in the stalls nearest to him try to shuffle away.

Ivan speaks: "RECESS! 1 HOUR!"

Victor looks at Plargh and nods indicating not to interfere with a mere bailiff, especially a non-Fraternity one giving orders in the courtroom. He whispers to Plargh "You have our full confidence. Proceed when court starts again. And..." he lowers his voice further and leans closer "... a guilty verdict would not be displeasing to some, just as long as it is within the law. Keep it in mind. Handle the case well, a promotion may be forthcoming."

((If Mathias once again wishes to offer his services to act as prosecution, now is the time))

[*RedMoney]

*Mathias approaches Victor Mabel as soon as the recess is announced.*

"Sir, I'm Notary One Mathias Greymane. As Mover Erroc has been suspended from the prosecution I would like to volunteer to take over the proceedings. I have been helping with this case for quite awhile and am very familiar with all of the material. I'd appreciate the chance to step up and carry our case to a just verdict."

[*Agony_Aunt]

Victor looks the officer up and down and smiles.

"Ah, such enthusiasm for upholding the law. Your knowledge of the materials would of course be valuable, but are you sure you have skill to prosecute this case fully? I do not believe you have experience. But, if that is the wish of the Harmonium, then I will accede"

[*RedMoney]

*Mathias chuckles a bit, then smiles smugly*

"Hmm, well it's true I am no lawyer, but it seems to me that the only real skill that is needed in this case is the ability to shrug off the taunts and digressions that the defense is bombarding the courtroom with. That said, I feel it will be best if I take the lead as I am mentally prepared to deal with the pointless taunting and accusations that are going to be flung my way, and do not have such a large personal vendetta against d'Kridis to steer me off course. Currently, I know of no one in the Harmonium outside of myself and Mover Erroc that would have the... personal skills to lead our case, and I would hate to turn it over to the Guvners and slow things down even more."

[*Mr_Otyugh]

A slight smirk on Crattens face, he does not linger and simply walks out.

[*Darkrob]

*Mathias let's out a heavy sigh and repeats what he said before the last spout of bickering*

"Again, your honor, if it would please the court I will take over the prosecution on behalf of the Harmonium. I have been working this case as well, so I am familiar with all the charges and evidence... which seems to include a loan application of mine that was obtained illegally as I was never notified it would be seized as evidence by the defense.

That said, I notice that the defense has yet to provide any actual evidence that shows they are in any way innocent of the charges being pressed, and would like to continue the proceedings."

*Mathias gives Cratten a cold, disappointed look before turning back to the judge, wearing a forced smile.* 

Your honour, this Notary shouldn't be permitted to work as the prosecution. He is unacceptable and unprofessional. He's already tried and convicted my client in the paper for crimes not even investigated yet. If you allow him to stand in, we will find no confidence in the ability of this court to rule fairly and will demand a mistrial.

It is already an outrage that people are permitted to overrule the judge while court still stands. That shows a complete inability for the judge to maintain control of the court and actually make rulings people will abide by. If any harmonium officer or fraternity member can simply walk in and dictate how the court will proceed, what orders the judge made will stand, and how the accused *motions to Cratten* will simply be released after the judge has already ruled arrest I see no choice but to make a motion for no confidence in the judge and the court.

This trial has turned into a circus... and a poorly scripted circus at that. If the courts original orders of arrest and detention do not hold then the defence cannot recognize the courts ability to authorize or enforce any of its future decisions.


***edited to add quote and make changes (in bold) to remove reference from his private conversation***

[*kitteninablender]

Rith smirks upon hearing Charles' statements, then promptly shapeshifts himself to look like a clown. Big red nose, blue hair, then calmly walks in and sits in the back of the court room. After all, every Circus needs a clown.

[*Reptiller]

Hildmor passes a note to Charles now, calmly watching all the procceedings...