[Trial] The Town vs. Jacky

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m4/epiplectic/eljudge.gif



Judge Jaspero enters his courtroom and bangs his gavel.

"Here begins the trial of The Town vs. Jacky. Charges (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2082928#post2082928) are murder and vandalism. Possible witness include Kyrian, Lillah, Jacky, Jormungandr, Kio, The Candle, and Maph’tey."

"Jacky, do you wish to have a lawyer represent you?"

"And who is to represent the Town?"

[Kyral]

Alocer comes in, looks around with a sigh, and floats to the front, then lowers the himself onto a chair.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky shakes his green-haired head. "No, yer judgeship. I think I can handle this on my own. Wouldn't be the first time, neither."

For perhaps the first time in his life, Jacky Knives looks presentable. He has procured a new black trench-coat with silver buttons, a clean gray tee shirt to wear under it, and a pair of clean blue jeans. His green hair is combed and his yellow eyes glint intelligently.

((EDIT: Forgot the green text.))

[McBish]

McBish comes in the courtroom. Hello your honor, I will represent the Town in this case.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky glances at McBish and offers a very quick dirty look, then turns back to the judge. "So when're we gonna get this show on the road? I got places to be."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"I take it that means you do not ask for representation, Jacky?"

[Sophistemon]

"No sir. I think I can handle this on my own."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Very good. McBish, please call your first witness."

[McBish]

I call Kyrian to the stand.

[Sophistemon]

"Ain't ya gonna ask me how I plead?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero raises an eyebrow. "Very well. Your presence here instead of the Town jail would suggest you wish to fight the chahrges, but as you wish: how do you plead, Jacky?"

[Sophistemon]

"I plead guilty, yer honor, on account'a insanity."

[Kyrian]

Kyrian takes the stand.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky looks to Kyrian. "So that's your name, eh? Nice to be introduced. How's the wife?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Guilty by reason of insanity? What is that even supposed to mean? Are you asking this court for mercy because your actions were committed due to madness? If so, most people would term that 'innocent by reason of insanity.' You do understand that if you plead guilty, you will be punished, yes?"

[Sophistemon]

((Er, I mean innocent. Got my terms confused. This is unorthodox, but might I change what Jacky said? If not, I'll just have Jacky appologise for mis-speaking and say what I meant him to say.))

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

((Go ahead and re-enter your plea, and we'll go on from there.))

[Sophistemon]

((Thank you. I appreciate your leniency.))

Jacky blinks. "I mean, innocent, yer judgeship. Innocent by reason of insanity."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

((No problem.))

Judge Jaspero nods. "Very well then. I charge both McBish and Jacky to bear this in mind as they call and question witnesses: not only will we be concerned with Jacky's actions, but also the state of his mind."

He turns to Kyrian. "Please excuse that brief interlude. Kyrian, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth by that which you hold sacred?"

[Kyrian]

Kyrian nods. I do so swear, in the name of my family.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky frowns. Wish I had a family, he thinks.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero smiles. "McBish, please begin."

[McBish]

Kyrian please tell the court about your encounter with Jacky.

[Kyrian]

Could you clarify, which encounter?

[McBish]

The one inside Zurvan's mindscape.

[Kyrian]

Ah yes, I followed him in from the center of Town. He admitted to me of doing the crime at my wife, Lillah, and I's house. He said that I would have done the same thing had I been in his situation, I drew Ebony and said I wouldn't have, and then I knocked him out.

[McBish]

So he freely admited to the crime? Were there any other witnesses to that?

[Kyrian]

I believe he may have been whispering, but there was Jor, Kio, Maph'tey, and a couple others that I don't know the names to.

[McBish]

Did he give any reasons for doing this?

[Kyrian]

Something about boiling blood.

[McBish]

Thank you Kyrian no more questions.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky smiles. Jerks don't know what they're in fer, he thinks.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m4/epiplectic/eljudge.gif


"Jacky, your witness."

[Sophistemon]

"I'll call Kyrian to the stand, yer judgeship."

[Kyrian]

I'm...already here...

[Sophistemon]

"Then I saved us some time, didn't I?" Jacky stands in front of Kyrian. "Mr. ... Kyrian. Do you know who I am?"

[Kyrian]

I know you're name's Jacky, and that you murdered someone, made them up to look like my wife, and then crucified them to our door.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky smiles. "You know my first name. And a bit of my reputation. Do you know where I'm from?"

[Kyrian]

No, and I fail to see how it matters.

[Sophistemon]

"It matters, pal. I'm from New York City, in a place called New York, which is in another place called the United States of America. Specifically, I'm from a really nasty neighborhood called the Barrens." He grins. "My name is Jack Golgotha, but my friends call me Jacky Knives. My enemies call me the Barren Butcher."

[McBish]

Your honor the Defendent isn't questioning the witness he is testifying.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky looks to El Jaspero to see if he might continue.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Agreed, McBish. You are not being asked to testify, Jacky; please question the witness instead of instructing him."

[Sophistemon]

"Sorry, yer judgeship. I just thought I should introduce myself, is all. Lemme ask you this, then, Kyrian. Can some evil acts be justified?"

[Kyrian]

Perhaps. Kyrian yawns.

[Sophistemon]

"Would you also concede that desperate times call for desperate measures?"

[Kyrian]

No I would not.

[Sophistemon]

"No? You would not, say, threaten to kill a man if he were a danger to you and your loved ones?"

[Kyrian]

I wouldn't threaten...nor would I call a man that's a danger to me and my loved ones desperate times.

[Sophistemon]

"You would not threaten? Does that mean that you would kill without threatening, provided your loved ones were in danger?"

[Kyrian]

Take it as you wish.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky turns to Jaspero. "Yer judgeship, please take notice that Kyrian implies that murder is forgivable when protecting someone you love."

[McBish]

Your honor I object, what does it matter what Kyrian thinks about that?

[Sophistemon]

"I have a point, yer judgeship."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Objection overruled: it might easily shed light on the testimony and perceptions of this witness. Please proceed, Jacky."

[Sophistemon]

"Thank you, yer judgeship." Jacky turns back to Kyrian. "If you remember, earlier in my trial you were asked about our altercation within... eh... Zordan's Mindscape. Or something. If I recall correctly, you claim that you would not have committed the murder that my client did, were you in his position. Do you still believe this?"

((I refer, of course, to this. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2100951&postcount=26%5B/COLOR)))

[Kyrian]

You mean that you did? No, I wouldn't have murderer an innocent person, made them up to look like someone else, and then crucify them to that person's door.

[Sophistemon]

"Tsk tsk. Let's not be so literal. I shall rephrase my question. You said earlier that you would not commit murder were you in my client's shoes. However, you more recently said that you would commit murder to protect someone that you love. Which is it? They are mutually exclusive."

[Kyrian]

No they aren't. You could have gone to the authorities, but you decided to murder the innocent person. In the latter case, if someone were to physically threaten a love one, I believe it in my right to protect my family, and if that means the perpetrator's death, then I don't have problem with that.

[Sophistemon]

"Ah, but the person my client loves was, and still is, being held hostage. To go to the authorities would have resulted in their slow, tortuous death. My client was between a rock and a hard place; an inescapable situation that ended the way that it had to if he were to protect the person that he cares about."


((I am having way too much fun.))

[Kyrian]

Your honor, there's no question there. I might as well be holding a conversation with this man.

[Raistlin1040]

Erika and Ekrath teleport in, obviously morally confused about who they'd like to win the case. Jacky is evil but he was fighting for a loved one.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky grins. "Is it or is it not morally acceptable to kill for a loved one, if that loved one is in danger, yes or no?"

((Erika and Ekrath are in for a surprise, then.))

[Raistlin1040]

((Hardly. They're demigods. They know what'll happen before the judge does. They're simply wondering who they'd prefer to win.))

[Flabbicus]

(( They're still run by a mortal with limited knowledge about the Town, ergo they can be surprised and even killed. ))

[Sophistemon]

((Your divine status makes me sad. In any case, I should have said that you were in for a surprise. Forgive me for not being clear.))

[Raistlin1040]

(( They're still run by a mortal with limited knowledge about the Town, ergo they can be surprised and even killed. ))

((Truly they can. But in a strict LG case, they have a good idea of who'll win.))


((Your divine status makes me sad. In any case, I should have said that you were in for a surprise. Forgive me for not being clear.))
((I'm sorry. Have a cookie. *gives cookie* Besides I've had divineness since Sunday))

((Edit. BTW LG means Lawful Good. Jacky is CE. In a lawful good court there is a good chance he'll lose))

[AmberVael]

((You would need a homebrew and specialized SDA to know the future like that. PLUS, something like law, trials or justice would need to be in your portfolio.
Which, according to you, it is not.
People SEVERELY overestimate gods, as I proved))

[Flabbicus]

((Truly they can. But in a strict LG case, they have a good idea of who'll win.))



(( Lawful Good, Linear Guild? What do you mean by LG? Lawful Goodness doesn't mean that you will win any and all battles you participate in.

^ True dat. ))

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

The judge holds up a large sign:



CUT THE CHATTER

[Raistlin1040]

The twin gods try to get a word out before being silenced by the judge. They leave grumbling about something

[Kyrian]

Not when the killing becomes an act one relishes in, and when that person decides to display their kill on another's door.

[Sophistemon]

"Are you sure that my client relished the act of murder? Are you positive that perhaps the person who has my client's loved one held hostage did not order my client to do what he did?"

[Kyrian]

Are you going to keep referring to yourself as "my client?" Personally, it's getting annoying. And yes, I'm positive you relished in the killing, you shocking knocked on our door after crucifying that innocent person.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky decides to comply with Kyrian's request, as there's no use driving him to violence. Jacky's eyes drop. "As you wish. Yer judgeship, let it be known that I knocked on the door so that Kyrian and his wife would become aware of the corpse, as I was ordered to by the hostage-taker. However, this has gone on a tangent. I think I've made it more than clear that Kyrian believes that it is morally acceptable to commit murder when one's loved ones are in danger. Granted, my methods were extreme, but I did what I had to do. As I see it, Kyrian has a problem with the how of my crime, not the why. And if the man accusing me finds my actions morally acceptable, why am I here having to defend them?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero looks down from his bench.

"Because the ends do not always justify the means, Mister Golgotha. Are you finished with this witness?"

[Sophistemon]

Jacky nods. "Yes, yer judgeship. No further questions."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Kyrian, this court thanks you for your service; please be seated. McBish, call your next witness."

[Kyrian]

Kyrian nods and takes a seat in the back.

[Sophistemon]

"Should I sit down too, yer judgeship?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero shrugs. "If you wish, go ahead."

[Sophistemon]

Jacky takes a seat.

[McBish]

Your honor I would like to call Jacky to the stand.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

The judge chuckles. "Mister Golgotha, please come up to the witness stand."

[Sophistemon]

Jacky gets up. "And ta' think I was just gettin' comfy, too," he says. He makes his way to the stand.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

El J shrugs. "Sorry about that. Jacky, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth by that which you hold sacred?"

[Sophistemon]

"I do, yer judgeship."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Very good. McBish, please proceed."

[McBish]

Thank you, Jacky did you kill a man and nail him to Lillah's and Kyrian's door?

[Sophistemon]

"No, sir, I did not."

[McBish]

Do you know how the body got there?

[Sophistemon]

"I put it there."

[McBish]

And how did you get the body?

[Sophistemon]

"I went to the slums and killed a man."

[McBish]

Just a second ago you said you didn't, which is it?

[Sophistemon]

"No, I said that I did not nail a man to a door. If anything, I knifed him to a door."

[McBish]

Why did you do this?

[Sophistemon]

"I was following the orders of a person that has taken a person I love hostage. Had I not obeyed, they would have been killed."

[McBish]

How long have you been following the orders of this person?

[Sophistemon]

"Since I got here."

[McBish]

How long has that been?

[Sophistemon]

"I'm not sure. Longer than a month, less than a year."

[McBish]

Have you ever informed anyone of the kidnapping or tried to rescue your loved one?

[Sophistemon]

"There would be no point. The moment that I tried, the kidnapper would torture and kill my loved one. That would be unpleasant for me, and so I avoided it. I would not doubt that my bein' here on trial is making him very happy, either."

[McBish]

Do you know his name?

[Sophistemon]

"I do, but I can't pronounce it. It's one of those stupid fantasy names. Some'ting along the lines of Vizier."

[McBish]

How many times has he given you instructions?

[Sophistemon]

"Twice, now. Once he asked me to attack Lyrak, and then this time. I assume that both Kyrian and Lyrak are enemies of his."

[McBish]

So you have tried to, or did, kill someone on his orders?

[Sophistemon]

"Lyrak managed to fend me off, though I followed his most recent orders more satisfactorily."

[Sophistemon]

"Lyrak managed to fend me off, though I followed the most recent orders more satisfactorily."

[McBish]

Have you killed anyone else since you came to the Town?

[Sophistemon]

Jacky grimaces. "Yes."

[McBish]

And where these on this man's orders?

[Sophistemon]

The grimace worsens. He does not like this line of questioning. "No."

[McBish]

Thank you, no further questions.

[Minky Boodle]

Cleveland walks into the room quietly and takes a seat in the back. Never seen a trial before.
He listens closely to figure out what exactly is going on.
Wonder what that poor sap has done.

------------------
Seeing that this trial is going to last longer than expected, Cleveland decides to take a walk around town. Oh well, father always said there was a time and place for everything. I guess that applies to patience as well.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

The judge ponders a moment. "It would be highly unusual, much less extremely strange, for you to question yourself, Jacky. I will, however, allow you to make a statement in response to McBish's questions at this time if you wish."

[Sophistemon]

Jacky looks nervous. That last line of questioning, the last question in particular, didn't much help his chances of getting out. "Yer judgeship, I did what I had to do to protect my loved one. I... I've only committed one murder not connected to that. That ain't a good thing, surely, but..." He pauses. Thinks. "I ain't right in the head, yer judgeship. I wasn't right in the head where I came from and I think I'm worse off now. My thoughts... I can't think clearly. Everything's disjointed and wrong somehow. I feel disjointed and wrong. Since I got here, I don't know what's going on. There's magic and people with weird names that threaten to turn my blood to burning oil. I can... I'm faster than I used to be. Stronger, too. If this world makes no sense to me, yer judgeship, how can I be expected to live by its rules?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

The judge looks sympathetic, if a bit sad. "As has been long established...ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Thank you, Mister Golgotha; please be seated again. McBish, call your next witness."

[McBish]

Your honor I have no more witnesses.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky takes his seat. "Then what happens now?"

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

"Jacky, have you any witnesses to call?"

[Sophistemon]

Jacky thinks. "If I could... no. No, yer judgeship. I'm outta ideas."

He casts his eyes down. "Go 'head and pass yer judgement."

Jacky mentally prepares himself for the oncoming judicial hammer.

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero gives a faint smile. "Not quite yet, Jacky. McBish, please give your closing statements."

[Sophistemon]

((This is not yet over, right?))

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

((Closing statements, then verdict; we're very close, but not quite done yet.))

[McBish]

Your honor Jacky isn't a insane person. He is a person that thinks being in a bad position gives him the right to kill. He follows the orders of some mad man that kidnapps his loved ones. He even kills when he isn't told to do so. He never searched for a way to free his loved one. In following these orders he became a murderer. The Town recgonizes that Jacky has spent the normal sentance for murder in a cell already and request that he be put on probation for a duration to be decided by you.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky's whole demeanor changes to resemble that of a whipped dog.

"That's because he can't be freed..."

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero raises an eyebrow at Jacky. "Mister Golgotha, your closing statement please."

[Sophistemon]

Jacky stands, swallows nervously, and speaks. "Yer judgeship, I have not been honest to you throughout this trial. I do not think that I have lied, but U have obscured the truth. The hostage that my tormentor threatens does not exist. Not really. Truly, there is a person that will suffer should I not follow his orders. And I do love that person very much. But I'm not noble. I'm the hostage. I asked Mr. Kyrian if he would have done the same thing were he in my position. He said that he would not, but I doubt he's ever had his blood lit on fire, ever had acid coursing through his veins. That is the price of my disobedience."

A breath, another nervous swallow.

"I'm a horrible person, yer judgeship. I have many delusions but that ain't one of them. I'm a murderer and a... and I'm a... well, you'll forgive me for not further incriminating myself. Suffice to say, I ain't no saint. I used to be a monster. I say used to be because since I got here, my thoughts haven't been clear. Before, if someone pissed me off, I'd stab him in the back. Now I'm reluctant to even look at my knives, let alone use them on someone."

Breath, swallow.

"My thoughts aren't clear. I don't know if this is a long overdue conscience or something, but..." He looks at McBish. "I know I'm crazy, yer judgeship. I've been diagnosed more than once. Don't excuse what I did, though."

He looks up at the judge, then to Kyrian, then back again.

"I can't ask for forgiveness, because I don't deserve it. Nor do I deserve a second chance. But that's all I can ask for."

((Sorry for taking so long. I'm sick today.))

[El Jaspero, the Pirate King]

Judge Jaspero straightens his wig and gives a concerned look.

"This has been a most difficult case to decide. On the one hand the defendant is clearly guilty, and even admits so himself; yet the nature of his crimes are most shocking, and cannot pass without recognition in a civil society.

"As you have already served time in jail for this crime, Jacky, I cannot sentence you to more. But I do agree that the circumstances that led you to commit this crime are clearly most unusual, and per the request of the Town's representative I sentence you to two weeks of unarmed probation: should you be found to be carrying a weapon in Town during this time, you will be jailed for it.

"However.

"The circumstances you are under clearly cannot continue, for the safety of the Town and yourself. As such, McBish, I direct you to contact the Town Police and whatever additional parties you and Jacky deem necessary to remedy this situation. I'll not have a citizen of this town feel their life is threatened if it is in my power to stop it."

Judge Jaspero bangs his gavel.

"This trial is commenced, and I thank you all for your cooperation." He leans over his bench to deliver a not-so-secret whisper. "I furthermore urge you to call on me, should my skills be deemed necessary." He stands, straightens his wig, and processes out the door.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky breathes deeply, and stands from his seat. He looks to McBish. "What happens now?"

[McBish]

Well I the police will now try to help you get free from the one controling you. If they don't have the means to do it we will find someone who does. We will make sure you don't have to kill again.

[Sophistemon]

Jacky narrows his eyes. What makes him think that he doesn't like killing? No, that isn't right. His eyes un-narrow. What now? What do you say to someone that offers to help you?

"Thanks."

[McBish]

((That is why he emphazised Have to kill. He figured you still might.))

If you go to the police station they can help you there. If you don't go they will come and find you to help. Ok?

[Sophistemon]

"Could we go now?"

((The poor guy's conflicted.))

[McBish]

Of course. McBish walks next to Jacky towards the station. As they enter the Town's continuity stream he turns into a stag.

((Unfortently I am signing off for about 3 hours or so.))

[Sophistemon]

((Meet you at the station.))