Eslandola Court Case, 2nd Quarter 616: Rhys Thomson versus Don Gonzalo

[Kai NRG]

A quick recap of the story behind this case:

It isn't everyday that Eslandola's courts are in session for such a heinous charge as was brought before them on the last date of this quarter's session, June 30th.

After issuing a warrant for the arrest of the accused, the court had adjourned for the day.

Of course, what you're all dying to find out... who was accused? And of what?

To make it clear, we should probably go back to the beginning.

When Alejandro de la Calle left Terreli for the New World, someone wasn't too happy.

No, it wasn't his sweetheart.

It wasn't even his mother.

It was his father.

Don Gonzalo.

Before you're run off with by sentimental colorings of a father distraught at his son's flight, we may as well as remark that the main reason for Don Gonzalo's anger was the disappearance of several valuable jewels.

Don Gonzalo's anger isn't something to trifle with. In this case, it was fatal to a young guard, Jamie.

There was only one witness to the crime, besides Don Gonzalo himself. Even that witness had not actually been present, but the circumstantial evidence she could provide would have been enough to hang a saint.

But Don Gonzalo wasn't worried. Mia was his tool... and he had a job for her.

Mia executed the job quite successfully.

And then our detective friend, Rhys Thomson, set up shop in Salida Este.

As it happened, Jamie's older brother, a captain in the Eslandola Navy, had just heard of the murder a day before his ship was to sail for Salida Este. While there, he naturally looked up Rhys Thomson and put him on the case. Coincidental? Maybe. But there were bigger coincidences to follow!

Because, though you'll find it hard to believe, Nacho, Alejandro's friend, also decided to look up Rhys Thomson, who after all was the only detective for miles around! Nacho brought a case related to Mia's little job. The fact was, Mia had faked dead so that Alejandro de la Calle could be brought forward on murder charges. Nacho wanted Rhys to find Mia alive and save Alejandro.

Right off the bat, Rhys smelled a rat. He had a hunch that these cases were related!

But the coincidences weren't over yet! Because, as Rhys meditated one day by a stagnant pond, he pulled out Mia's accomplice Castillo!

And the plot thickens!

From Castillo Rhys discovered Mia's whereabouts. He also discovered the identity of Jamie's murderer.

After that, for an experienced detective like Rhys, replete with his wife's advice moreover, it was smooth sailing all the way! Just a matter of laying hands on Mia. Slippery little eel, she all but escaped, but Rhys managed to keep sight of her. He also got an order to postpone Alejandro's trial. Then, armed with the brute facts, he had shipped for Terreli and just managed to arrive before the end of the court session.

So now a warrant had been issued for Don Gonzalo's arrest. Since he was taken by surprise, he had no time to rouse the mob in his defense. And in the hopes that he wouldn't get a chance to do so later on, he (and everyone else concerned with the case) had been shipped to Nova Terreli, where they awaited a hearing.

Now, with that behind us:

Rhys Thomson versus Don Gonzalo

Rhys Thomson has brought a charge of murder against Don Gonzalo. This charge will now be settled in the time honored way with an Eslandian jury.

Four active Eslandian members will be randomly drafted for jury duty (excluding those directly involved in this storyline). They will pronounce a verdict of guilty or not guilty (in other words, did Don Gonzalo kill Jamie, or not).

An available and unbiased Eslandian leader (Garmadon) will pronounce the sentence upon Don Gonzalo should he be found guilty.

If anyone would like to be counsel for Don Gonzalo, you're welcome to apply. Other wise I guess I'll have to do that part as well as Rhys Thomson's part... which probably won't end up too favorable to Don Gonzalo.

How does this work?

• After this post I'll draft all Rhys Thomson's evidence as to why Don Gonzalo did it.
  
• Then the counsel for Don Gonzalo will draft up all the evidence as to why Don Gonzalo did not do it (that post might be blank ).
  
• Then the jury can adjourn to their own little PM thread and come back in a few days with a verdict.
  
• The judge will pronounce a sentence.
  
• Then the plantiff (me) will have to MOC the results of that sentence.
  

This is obviously a case that is entirely "IC". Whatever happens will affect only the characters, not the players who have been using them in their storylines.

Questions? Anyone want to be Don Gonzalo's counsel?

[narbilu]

Are Corlanders allowed a seat? If yes, count me in...

[Kai NRG]

Are Corlanders allowed a seat? If yes, count me in...

You could be counsel for Don Gonzalo. By which I mean that you could try to come up with evidence that he isn't guilty (warning: there is no such evidence ). Otherwise, no, there's nothing available.

[gedren_y]

Should the Eslandolian members chosen designate a character to be the juror?

[Kai NRG]

Should the Eslandolian members chosen designate a character to be the juror?

They could, but there wouldn't be any obligation to. All they have to do is say guilty or not guilty.

---

Judge: The Court is now in session! Will the defendant please come forward?

Don Gonzalo: Sir!

Then came the formalities of the oath and preliminary questions. Don Gonzalo pleads not guilty. The witnesses are presented and give their evidence (see above).

Judge: The plaintiff will now be given leave to state his case.

Rhys Thomson: Thank you, sir. turns towards audience Put yourselves, my fellow citizens, in this case. A young man - a young guard - is the first upon the scene of a robbery, after his master. And though the robbery happened through no fault of his own - though no shadow could rest upon him - yet what does this angry murderer do but shoot him! Without remorse or regret or pity! The proof here is indubitable. The bullet was of a type known to be used by Don Gonzalo; the shot was heard by the butler here and many others; Don Gonzalo's furious anger is a proverb; and to cap it all off, we have here the fatal evidence of Mia, who saw with her own eyes the murderer standing over the body of his victim! Gentlemen of the jury, there can be but one verdict! I charge you to bring this murderer to justice!

murmurs of approbation throughout the court hall

---

Judge: The defendant's counsel will now state his case.

Defendant: Jury! I call upon you to flee from this travesty of justice which, upon the basis of such a plausible tissue of lies, has been pressed upon you! Our client would never think of committing such a crime! The witnesses to his anger are known to be among those disaffected to him - for, like all other great men, there are always those who will slander and malign from pure spite. Then, those witnesses who testify to hearing a gunshot proceeding from his room - bah! What does that mean? It means nothing, save that the murder took place there, and that Don Gonzalo was not in time to stop it! Then, as for the evidence of this woman, Mia - her own evidence condemns her. Why did she so long keep silence? Why not speak up at once? Bah! She is nothing more than a tool in hands of those who wish, for their own unlawful ends, to be rid of this powerful competition in business. Her antecedents will bear no investigation. Jury! Do not be led astray into condemning my client upon such scanty and twisted evidence!

Rhys Thomson: under his breath What a lot of hot air!

Judge: to jury The jury has heard the evidence and the case from both sides; it may now adjourn.

[narbilu]

I decided not to interfere

Here is why: link

With special thanks to Phadeout

[Captain Dee]

I'm with narbilu on this one: best not to interfere.

When the accused is guilty (per the story), there's enough evidence for conviction, no evidence whatsoever of innocence and the the outcome looks rather predetermined... I see nothing to gain by getting involved.

Good thing I'm not a prospective juror.

[Kai NRG]

I'm with narbilu on this one: best not to interfere.

When the accused is guilty (per the story), there's enough evidence for conviction, no evidence whatsoever of innocence and the the outcome looks rather predetermined... I see nothing to gain by getting involved.

Good thing I'm not a prospective juror.

There's not a whole lot of leeway here, I'll admit. Mainly what I want this case to do, besides provide fuel for a few MOCs, is to streamline the Eslandola court system so we know how it works.

[Bregir]

But Kai, we already know that: Very slowly! ;)

[Kai NRG]

But Kai, we already know that: Very slowly! ;)

Well, I kept with the trend, since I only applied for the case on the last day of June.

[Kai NRG]

At the request of the Jury, a detail transcript of the court hearing has been prepared. Sorry if it’s rather bland, though I tried to lighten it here and there. But I did dread writing it.

---

Judge: The Court is now in session! Will the accused please come forward?

Don Gonzalo steps forward.

Judge: Don Gonzalo, you have been accused of the murder of a young guard, Jamie. How do you answer this charge?

Don Gonzalo: Not guilty!

Judge: The first witness for the plaintiff will now come forward. Mia, alias Roberta the Artist.

Mia steps forward and is sworn in.

Prosecutor: What is your name, Mia?

Mia: Mia, of course!

Prosecutor: Tautology is often required by law. Where were you on March the 18^th, 616?

Mia: I was in Terreli, at the de la Calle Estate.

Prosecutor: Did you hear a shot at any time that evening?

Mia: Yes.

Prosecutor: At what time?

Mia: I could not say exactly, but towards evening.

Prosecutor: Where did the shot proceed from, as nearly as you could ascertain?

Mia: The shot proceeded definitely from the basement of the estate. Most probably from Don Gonzalo’s safe room.

Defendant: Most probably? You could not be certain?

Mia: From the sound alone, I could not be certain.

Plaintiff: From the sound alone. Were there other circumstances that made the fact certain?

Mia: Certainly.

Prosecutor: What were they?

Mia: sarcastically The dead body in the room, for one thing.

Prosecutor: You personally saw the dead body in the room?

Mia: I did.

Prosecutor: And could you identify the body with Jamie?

Mia: Yes.

Prosecutor: And he had been shot?

Mia: Certainly.

Prosecutor: How soon after the shot did you enter the room?

Mia: Within a minute.

Prosecutor: Was there anyone else in the room, that you could see?

Mia: Don Gonzalo was in the room.

Prosecutor: What was his attitude?

Mia: Devilish.

Prosecutor: No, no – I mean, his posture, his looks.

Mia: Devilish, too.

Prosecutor: How, specifically?

Mia: He stood holding a pistol still pointed at Jamie, in an attitude that expressed barely cooled anger.

Prosecutor: Did he endeavor to explain in any way?

Mia: I expressed my astonishment, and he told me to look around and see if I could guess what had happened.

Prosecutor: What conclusion did you reach?

Mia: There were open chests scattered on the floor. I told him that it seemed like he had been robbed.

Prosecutor: What was his reply?

Mia: That his son had stolen a small fortune and made off with it to the new world.

Defendant: There could be no possibility that Jamie had stolen it, and caused his master’s anger?

Mia: There could be no possibility. There would have been no reason for Don Gonzalo to conceal that from me and charge his son instead.

Prosecutor: Did Don Gonzalo attempt to explain Jamie’s death?

Mia: Indirectly, by telling me that Jamie had been upon the scene when he discovered the theft.

Prosecutor: And you took that as an acknowledgement of guilt?

Mia: It very clearly was. The exact words were, “Jaime is dead because he is one of the guards and was here when I found out – anger can be a terrible thing, can’t it Mia?”

Judge: Does the plaintiff or defendant wish to further examine this witness?

Plaintiff: No.

Defendant: You did not actually see the murder.

Mia: grudgingly No.

Defendant: to judge That is all.

Judge: The next witness for the plaintiff will now come forward.

Castillo steps forward and is sworn in.

Prosecutor: Your name?

Castillo: Castillo

Prosecutor: Where were you on March 18^th, 616?

Castillo: At the de la Calle estate.

Prosecutor: Did you hear a shot at any time during that evening?

Castillo: Yes.

Prosecutor: Could you ascertain its origin?

Castillo: It came from Don Gonzalo’s safe room.

Prosecutor: You are certain?

Castillo: I was organizing the room directly across from Don Gonzalo’s safe room. I am absolutely certain that that is where the shot came from.

Prosecutor: Do you know who was in Don Gonzalo’s safe room?

Castillo: I had seen Don Gonzalo enter it, accompanied by Jamie, only a few seconds before.

Prosecutor: Did you enter the office after the shot?

Castillo: Not for days.

Judge: Does the plaintiff or defendant wish to further examine this witness?

Plaintiff: Did you have reason to fear Don Gonzalo’s anger?

Castillo: Yes, sir.

Plaintiff: Would you have said that he was violent?

Castillo: Yes, sir.

Plaintiff: That is all.

Judge: Does the defendant wish to further examine this witness?

Defendant: No.

Judge: The next witness will now be called in.

Witness III steps up and is sworn in.

Prosecutor: Your name?

Witness III: Samuel Grevs

Prosecutor: You buried the body of the dead guard, Jamie?

Samuel: I did, sar.

Prosecutor: At what point and from whom did you receive the body?

Samuel: From mister – beg par’n – Don Gonzalo hisself, sar.

Prosecutor: When?

Samuel: The ev’n of the 18^th of March.

Prosecutor: Could you tell how he died?

Samuel: He mos’ clearly as had been shot, sar.

Prosecutor: Did you extract the bullet?

Samuel: Yis, sar. Here it is, sar.

Bullet is brought forward.

Plaintiff: May we call witnesses to testify to Don Gonzalo’s ammunition habits?

Judge: In a moment. to prosecutor Continue.

Prosecutor: How long had the body been dead, as nearly as you could tell?

Samuel: I canna say ‘xactly, sar, but sartinly that same day.

Prosecutor: That will do.

Judge: Does the plaintiff or defendant have anything further to ask this witness?

Plaintiff: No.

Defendant: No.

Judge: Samuel Grevs may step down. The witnesses for the bullets will come forward.

Three witnesses (a, b, c) step up and are sworn in.

Prosecutor: to a Can you identify this bullet with those used by Don Gonzalo?

Witness A: Yes sir.

Prosecutor: On what basis?

Witness A: I have often seen him shoot at targets, and have never seen him use any other bullet.

Defendant: But he may have used another bullet, without your knowledge?

Witness A: Certainly.

Prosecutor: to b Can you identify this bullet with those used by Don Gonzalo?

Witness B: Yes sir.

Prosecutor: How so?

Witness B: I am in charge of cleaning his pistols and charging them. Only on very rare occasions have I ever charged with any other type of bullet.

Plaintiff: Before March 18^th, when had you last charged his pistols?

Witness B: I charged them that morning.

Plaintiff: With this type of bullet?

Witness B: Yes sir.

Prosecutor: to c Can you identify this bullet with those used by Don Gonzalo?

Witness C: Yes.

Prosecutor: How so?

Witness C: I often have sold him bullets, and always of that mold.

Defendant: But you sell bullets of that mold to many other people?

Witness C: Yes sir.

Judge: Is there anything further to be asked of these witnesses?

Plaintiff: No.

Defendant: No.

Judge: The witnesses for the defense will now come forward.

Witness X, for the defense, comes forward and is sworn in.

Prosecutor: Your name?

Witness X: Quelf.

Prosecutor: That is your name? Not just a sobriquet?

Quelf: Not just a whadyeequit?

Prosecutor: Your name, not just your nickname?

Quelf: If it ain’t my name, I never has known my rightly belongin’ one!

Prosecutor: Your testimony?

Quelf: Jes’ this, sar, which is as how Don Gonzalo is jes’ the uprightingingiest man as has ever lived, an’ you don’t dare gwo off an’ ‘ang him, for as a crime which as he couldna never ha’ committed!

Judge: Does the plaintiff or defendant have any further questions for this witness?

Plaintiff: How long have you known Don Gonzalo?

Quelf: Wh-y ye-s! I has known him… morrenless… weel! I heard his name in the tavern las’ sennight, and they did say as how ‘e didn’ have a friend to ‘is name, an’ would be mighty glad av summon ‘ould stan’ up for ‘im!

Plaintiff: That is all.

Judge: Does the defendant have any further questions for this witness?

Defendant: disgusted No.

Judge: The next witness will now come forward.

Prosecutor: There are no more witnesses.

A stir among the bench.

Judge: Then the plaintiff will now be given leave to state his case.

More whispering along the bench.

Plaintiff: quickly Sir, I beg leave first to present a new witness, just arrived.

Judge: The new witness will step forward.

The new witness steps forward and is sworn in.

Prosecutor: Your name?

New Witness: Thomas Ward.

Prosecutor: Do the court the favor of explaining your story.

Ward: Well, sir, last summer I was restocking the basements of De La Calle Estate, when I heard a noise. I hid in an empty container when the voice increased. A brief moment later I heard a shot and when I peeked over the edge, I saw Don Gonzalo and a woman leaning over the dead body of my old friend Jaime. Minutes later, they were both gone and when I stepped out of my hideout, I found a weapon lying next to Jaime. I took it, so I could come forward when an arrest were made.

Prosecutor: Where is this weapon?

Ward: When I told this story to my Captain, he counseled me not to interfere. He took the pistol and tossed it into the ocean.

Prosecutor: But you still determined to appear before us?

Ward: No sir, I had decided against it. But then, a relative of my old friend Jamie convinced me otherwise.

Prosecutor: You were present in the safe room when the shot was fired?

Ward: Yes.

Prosecutor: Did you actually see the murder committed?

Ward: No sir, I was hidden inside the barrel and could see nothing.

Prosecutor: Did you recognize any voices?

Ward: Yes sir. I distinctly recognized Don Gonzalo’s voice.

Prosecutor: Did you recognize any other voice?

Ward: No one else talked at all, until the woman came in the room.

Prosecutor: Did you recognize the woman’s voice?

Ward: No sir.

Prosecutor: Would you recognize it if you were to hear it again?

Ward: Yes, I think I would.

Prosecutor: Mia, speak.

Mia: Yes sir.

Prosecutor: Could that have been the same voice?

Ward: I believe it is.

Prosecutor: But you are not certain?

Ward: Not completely.

Prosecutor: In what attitude was Don Gonzalo when you first looked out?

Ward: He held the pistol grimly and stood over the body of Jamie while talking to the woman.

Prosecutor: And to the best of your knowledge, there was no one else in the room?

Ward: No one else in the room.

Judge: Does the plaintiff or defendant have anything further to ask of this witness?

Plaintiff: No.

Defendant: You are from Corrington?

Ward: Yes sir.

Defendant: Why were you in Terreli, restocking basements?

Ward: I had shipped on a Corrington trading vessel. I was taken ill during the voyage and left at the port of Terreli. As I regained my health I decided to work wherever I could before I was quite strong enough to go back to sea. Don Gonzalo’s overseer hired me.

Defendant: That is all.

Judge: Are there now no further witnesses?

Prosecutor: There are no further witnesses.

Judge: The plaintiff may now state his case.

Plaintiff (Rhys Thomson): Thank you, sir. turns towards audience Put yourselves, my fellow citizens, in this case. A young man - a young guard - is the first upon the scene of a robbery, after his master. And though the robbery happened through no fault of his own - though no shadow could rest upon him - yet what does this angry murderer do but shoot him! Without remorse or regret or pity! The proof here is indubitable. The bullet was of a type known to be used by Don Gonzalo; the shot was heard by the butler here and many others; Don Gonzalo's furious anger is a proverb; and to cap it all off, we have here the fatal evidence of Mia, who saw with her own eyes the murderer standing over the body of his victim! Gentlemen of the jury, there can be but one verdict! I charge you to bring this murderer to justice!

Murmurs of approbation throughout the court hall.

Judge: The defendant's counsel will now state his case.

Defendant: Jury! I call upon you to flee from this travesty of justice which, upon the basis of such a plausible tissue of lies, has been pressed upon you! Our client would never think of committing such a crime! The witnesses to his anger are known to be among those disaffected to him - for, like all other great men, there are always those who will slander and malign from pure spite. Then, those witnesses who testify to hearing a gunshot proceeding from his room - bah! What does that mean? It means nothing, save that the murder took place there, and that Don Gonzalo was not in time to stop it! Then, as for the evidence of this woman, Mia - her own evidence condemns her. Why did she so long keep silence? Why not speak up at once? Bah! She is nothing more than a tool in hands of those who wish, for their own unlawful ends, to be rid of this powerful competition in business. Her antecedents will bear no investigation. Jury! Do not be led astray into condemning my client upon such scanty and twisted evidence!

Rhys Thomson: under his breath What a lot of hot air!

Judge: to jury The jury has heard the evidence and the case from both sides; it may now adjourn.

[Umbra-Manis]

I, Revon de Crocodil, speak on behalf of the jury.

After much deliberation, myself and the remainder of the jury have unanimously reached the decision that Don Gonzalo is found Guilty. He was determined to be guilty of the murder of the Late guard, Jamie, and is hereby turned over to the judge for sentencing.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Umbra-Manis

[Garmadon]

Judge: Hear, hear! I, the civil magistrate appointed to pronounce the sentence as required by - in short, the judge, do condemn Don Gonzalo, found guilty of willful and inexcusable murder, to the elongation of the esophagus until - in short, until dead, in accordance with the laws of the nation of Eslandola in such cases. The prisoner may be removed. (Pounding with gavel) Order, order in the - well, nevermind. This court is adjourned anyways.

[Kai NRG]

Thanks Garmadon. I'm out of town so there will be a bit of a delay with MOC of the results, but it should hopefully be forthcoming in a month or so!