Trials and Tribulations
It was the trial of the century, if not the trial of the millenium. News of the capture of Dragor Wyvern, the Saurian Casanova had spread across the Limbo like wildfire. Unless they were living in a black hole or too young to understand, there wasn't a soul in Limbo who hadn't heard about it. They whole thing was going to be televized. Dragor was being defended by the famous mutant badger lawyer, Charles Baner.
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/14/02 8:36:26 pm
Mikel30 Registered User
Posts: 45
(1/16/02 8:41 pm) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Media circus coulen't remotly describe the situation in the court room. Several cameras and dozens of reporters took up most of the gallery. There was even more media outside the courtroom, as well as heavy security. There was even a bomb threat call in during the opening statements.
Just about every household in Limbo tuned in to the trial. From Bedlama to Fense, people were talking about the shocking and very graphic testimonies and cross examinations and illustrations. The case was such a big deal jurors were threatened with prison if they discussed the trial with anyone, and they were kept in seclusion at an undisclosed location without access to any type of media. Most of the jurors came from outside of Limbo.
Re: Trials and Tribulations
One of the most emotional testimonies took place when Penelope Cash took the stand. There was no use in her trying to hold back her flood of tears as she described her ordeal.
"I told him I was a virgin, and he said that was good. I told him he was hurting me and he said he knew that. It felt like he was tearing me in half from the inside out. After he was done he asked me how it felt to be a woman now. I didn't answer him. I just cried. I couldn't stop crying. I was bleeding and scared. He said that was normal. When he realized I was bleeding a lot and it didn't seem to be stopping, he took me from the place in the woods and dropped me off in Bedlama City by a pay phone. He told me to call a medic to come get me. He said he didn't want another one to die like the one before me." Everyone pretty much figured out who the one before was. Katherine Lockup, the only one of Dragor's victims who didn't survive his attack.
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/19/02 8:06:35 pm
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Dragor rolled his eyes at the stares and glares that fell on him. "Sheesh, one little accident and suddenly I'm a monster." he commented. "They obviously never saw Mon*Star's handiwork at this type of business. And did she have to sugar-coat the whole incident?"
"Don't you ever take anything seriously?" his lawyer asked.
"Look, Chuck; if they can't kill me legally, they may as well murder me. Gods know half the courtroom wants me dead." His gaze looked deeper in the back. "Especially a certain insect."
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Even residence who lived in the Lightyear Limit were watching the courtroom proceedings. One trio of women in particular was watching the live feed on the holovision.
"I wonder if they'll give him the death penalty, Zan?"
"I hope they do. The only way to stop that pervert for good is to have him killed."
Whisper watched in silence. She wasn't even paying much attention to the broadcast. Her mind was burdened with other things. She was practically homeless. Her lover had kicked her out of the house when she found out the she was the one who captured Dragor for Warden Lockup. In a few days she would receive her half of the 70 million credit bounty. She wouldn't be in want of money for quite some time. Money was a good thing, but she still missed Echo, her lover. She was snapped out of her brooding session when Phantom tapped her arm.
"Hey, whaddaya think, Endora? You think he'll get the death penalty?" Whisper blinked, then slowly shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, you ok?" She shook her head 'no.' "What's wrong?"
[I miss Eliza.]
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/24/02 12:01:27 pm
Chajo Registered User
Posts: 117
(1/20/02 8:26 am) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Shaking her head Zan sighed softly. "If you want to talk about it, I'm willing to listen." It was a shame in a way. Even she could see what Eliza was throwing away.
Endora shook her head. [Maybe later] she signed.
"Ok. I'll be here when you do."
Zan leaned back into the soft cushions of the couch. She was of several minds. One wanted to sit here and watch the proceedings, to hand on every word uttered. Another wanted nothing to do with it all. To just shut it out, putting it all behind her. And a third was worrying over the details of Emily's rape and her own by the hands of Dragor.
'When I get called up there to testify, what will I be asked? What degrading details are going to be demanded? I don't want to dredge up the past. It's dead and buried. That's the way I want it to stay.' She thought to herself. 'They are going to want to know why Em was there, who brought her and why. With Echo being called an accessory to the crime, what will they call me? Gods and Goddess above and below, how will they react to this on New Eden? Will I face a royal command to return if I'm charged with being an accessory since it was me that invited Em?' her thought started to circle into a tighter descending spiral.
As she sat there thinking, she had started to chew on her fingernails. Working each one down to nothing before moving on to the next.
Mikel30 Registered User
Posts: 47
(1/20/02 8:44 pm) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations
That evening, Eliza woke to the sound of a ringing pager phone. She fumbled around for it then answered groggily.
"Hello?"
"You have a collect call from (Dray) an inmate at Penal Planet Ten. Will you accept charges?"
"Yes."
"Hey, baby."
"Hi, love."
"Did I wake you?"
"Yes, but that's all right. I was about to get up anyway."
"Did you watch any of the trial?"
"Dray, I'm just waking up. I didn't see any of it."
"It wasn't too interesting, if you ask me. Prosecution put that Cash girl on the stand."
"I see."
"Chuck tells me tomorrow thier putting that courier on the stand. That should be interesting."
"Oh, really? Um, Dray, could we talk about something else?"
"Sure, babe. What's on you mind?"
"You are, of course. I miss you so much."
"I know. Hopefully we'll get to see each other soon."
"I hope so, too."
"Anyone approach you about testifying?"
"No, and if they do, I'll refuse. Very few people know about our son for a reason."
"I hear ya, love. Well, I gotta go. I'll call you again when I get a chance."
"All right, love. Talk to you then."
After Echo hung up she got up from her bed and went to the living room. When she turned on the news, they were giving highlights of the trial.
Gods, they make him seem like such a monster! He told me he didn't mean to kill that woman, and I believe him. I only hope they do too.
Chajo Registered User
Posts: 118
(1/20/02 9:21 pm) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations
It was the beginning of the second day of the witness' testimony.
"The Prosecution calls Phantom to the stand." A rustle went though the gallery as they waited for her to take the stand.
She stood up from her seat and walked to the front of the courtroom, taking her place on the witness stand. She was wearing her boots and black jeans. She also had on a white long sleeved shirt, a black vest and her fringed suede jacket.
The bailiff came to stand before her with a small rectangle box. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So sworn on all that is Holy to you?"
"I do" she said.
"You may sit."
Zan sat down in the chair. She didn't hunch over as if she was hiding something, but neither did she slouch back as if she didn't care. She took the same pose she used when she had high stakes business meetings. Upright, confident and self-assured.
The Prosecuting stood and walked to stand to the side of the witness box. "If you would, please state your name for the courts"
"Zannatasia Izzabella Vernadeua." She said. "Though I prefer to be called Phantom."
The Prosecuting Attorney nodded then spoke "How would you describe your encounter at the hands of the defendant?"
Zan nodded and thought a moment then went into a description of what she went through at the hands of Dragor. She did not cry and make a scene like the previous witness. She was calm and collected, her voice level. Her description of what happened was given in a very detailed, clinical method. She ended it with saying "Mediocre at best. I've survived much worse than him."
"Thank you Phantom." He said then turned to the defense lawyer. "your witness."
"Would you repeat for us please, your full name, madam, and any titles or rank you may hold?" Charles asked, approaching the lectern.
Zan Mental winced. This was something she had been afraid of. She had wanted to keep things quiet as long as possible. "Full titles and rank?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam. If you would favor us all so."
She took a deep breath and let it go. "Captain Zannatasia Izzabella Vernadeua. Retired Earth Air Force Combat Pilot. President, Owner and CEO of ZIV Enterprises Unlimited." She paused for just a moment then continued. "Duchess of Huntington New Eden, Knight and holder of the Star Cross of New Eden. Queen's Knight Champion."
"An impressive list, indeed, Madam. Forgive me. Your Grace. That is the correct form of address for a Duchess, is it not? Your Grace?"
"Yes." said in a clipped tone of voice.
"Thank you, Your Grace. I would hate to offend the nobility of New Eden by addressing one of their number in a familiar manner. And you may rest assured, Your Grace, that I will not ask you to repeat again those particular experiences with relation to my client. But allow me to ask, Your Grace, how you came to be at Lady's Choice on the evening in question?"
"I was there by invitation."
"And who issued the invitation, Your Grace?"
"Eliza Nosferatu and her companion Endora Thornclaw."
"And did you socialize often with Ms. Nosferatu and Ms. Thornclaw. Your Grace?"
"No, I have business dealings with both Ms. Nosferatu and Ms. Thornclaw" she replied.
"And yet, Your Grace, they invited you and your companion to a dance club on what we have already learned was a celebratory occasion. Were you aware at that time of the relationship between my client and Ms. Nosferatu at the time of the invitation, Your Grace?"
"I did not socialize with either outside of business dealings. Though I did see them on occasions when I was at the Dance Club. I was aware that there had been a relationship between the two." She then clarified her statement. "Had been. As in past only."
"Were you aware, Your Grace, that Ms. Nosferatu and my client were still meeting on a regular basis during that time?"
"No, I was not aware of it." She sighed softly. "Correction. I knew she sent him Birthday gifts. But that was the extent of what I was aware of."
"So you were aware then, Your Grace, that she maintained contact with my client during their estrangement?"
"As I stated. I was unaware of anything outside the once a year contact."
"Your Honor, please instruct the witness to answer 'yes' or 'no.'"
She narrowed her eyes just a tad at his continuous use of her title. "Yes" it came out cold and with an underlying edge to it.
"Thank you, Your Grace. What was your reaction upon seeing my client at the club?"
"Shock at first. Then annoyance that he was there and interrupting what had been, until then, a good evening"
"And his admittedly disturbing reputation did not cause you concern for your own safety and that of your companion, Your Grace?"
"His reputation did not, in the least, concern me. I have faced worse then the likes of him and survived. If I had been aware of the extent of his obsession with my companion of the evening then I would have requested Trench the Bouncer to escort us to my ship."
"So you were no longer shocked enough at then end of the evening to request such assistance, Your Grace?"
"No. I was not. Though after he left the club, I switched to drinking coffee instead of other beverages."
"You drank alcohol during the course of the evening, Your Grace?"
"Yes. I am unaware of any law, and I have looked them up, concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages outside the Light Year Limit. I would have called Seymour's cab service to pick us up if I had not have switched to coffee."
"I'm sure you would have, Your Grace. Is it possible that, alcohol having the effect of reducing inhibitions in human, YOUR inhibitions were lowered that night?"
"Are you implying that I was asking to be raped by your client?" that dangerous edge was back in her voice. "Excuse me, Sexual assaulted."
"It's certainly not my place to imply anything here, Your Grace. I am merely asking if you could possibly have been affected in a very common manner by the alcohol you consumed."
"No, I have a very high tolerance level as well as a fast metabolism. The number of drinks I did have did not have any effect on me."
"I see." Shuffling papers. "You described your encounter with my client as 'mediocre' and that, and I'm paraphrasing here, that you have had worse experiences. Am I to take that to mean it was not the most unpleasant experience of your life, Your Grace?"
A frown. This was getting close to things that were better off dead and buried. "It was unpleasant, but it was not the worse I had been though. And yes he is mediocre in his chosen …. 'profession.'"
"Do you often take the time, Your Grace, to sample the wares of others in my client's...profession, as you put it?"
The prosecutor jumped out of his seat. "Objection, Your Honor. My colleague has mistaken the victim for the defendant."
The judge banged his gavel. "Sustained. Stay away from the witnesses personal pursuits, Counselor."
"Yes, Your Honor. Do you routinely accuse those you've had bad sex with of rape, Your Grace? Withdrawn," Baner said before the judge or prosecutor could interrupt. "I'm through with her."
"To answer your question. No. For clarifications to the court, I was a POW, a Prisoner of war, for two years under the Demon Clan pirates. They made Mon*Star look like a boy scout on a Sunday School outing. I stopped counting the number of times I was raped when it reached 500." That was the last thing she said.
"The witness is dismissed with the thanks and apologies of the court."
Nodding to the judge as she stood up and stepped down from the witness chair when he dismissed her. Head held high, she ignored the looks and left the court room.
"I'm finished with the witness, Your Honor. There's no need to make any further statements at this point."
((Thank you MH for the help with this one!!!))
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/25/02 8:43:13 pm
Re: Trials and Tribulations
"Now I got why she was so broken in!" Dray commented. "Sheesh, and they call me a monster."
Mikel30 Registered User
Posts: 49
(1/21/02 4:22 pm) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations
On her way out of the courtroom, Phantom was mobbed by reporters, microphones, and holovision cameras. She was being bombarded with questions as camera lights flashed and reporters pushed to be the first to get a statement. Phantom didn't speak to any of them She just wanted to get out of there and get home. She didn't want to spend another second anywhere near the courtroom or even speak of the days proceedings. The drama was nowhere near an end. There was still one more witness to take the stand the following day. Emily Hart, one of Dragor's most badly injured victims, besides Katherine Lockup. After that, the defendant was supposed to take the stand, inspite of the advice of his lawyer. He felt if anyone could set the record straight it would be him.
Re: Trials and Tribulations
There was a twitter in the courtroom as Emily walked up to the stand. She was without her armor, a state few people had seen her in. Her silk shirt was a deep green, and her leather pants were black.
She was sworn in, as the rest of the witnesses were, and asked her name for the record.
"Emily Heart."
"Will you describe the events that occurred on May 16 of last year?"
Emily began her testimony, describing everything she remembered in detail. She could see the looks of revulsion and horror in the court audience, and the jurors. Her voice was calm and steady, but tight. Anyone who knew her would be able to tell the strain she was under. She went on about every cut, beating, and torture she was subjected to; including the design carved into her arm, the one that matched the tattoo on her shoulder. As she spoke, even she was amazed by what she had endured. She went on to describe the list of injuries that she had by the time she and Zan were released. The entire court listened in silence, and even the defendant had straightened up and listened to her words.
"Thank you Ms Heart." The prosecuting attorney said; then turned to the defense lawyer. "Your witness."
Charles asked Emily as he had asked Phantom "Would you repeat for us please, your full name, madam, and any titles or rank you may hold?"
"Sergeant Emily Heart; Interplanetary Forces Special Unit Silverhawks"
"And how did you come to be at Lady's Choice on the evening in question?"
"I was attending the twentieth anniversary celebration with Phantom."
"And did you know about this establishment previously?"
"Yes, I have been to Fense several times, and there has been no history of trouble at Lady's Choice."
"Were you aware that Eliza Nosferatu and her companion Endora Thornclaw would be there?"
"Yes."
"Were you aware of Ms Nosferatu's relation to the defendant?" Charles pressed.
"No."
"And did you socialize often with Ms. Nosferatu and Ms. Thornclaw?"
"No I did not socialize with them before that night."
"And how did you know Ms. Nosferatu and Ms. Thornclaw?"
"They are known bounty hunters that have worked with Warden Lockup on previous occasions. All arrests made by bounty hunters are recorded at Hawk haven."
"What was your reaction upon seeing my client at the club?"
"Surprise," Emily replied, "and then annoyance. The evening was going smoothly before then."
"And his admittedly disturbing reputation did not cause you concern for your own safety and that of your companion?"
"No. I had already had one encounter with the defendant; and there was no reason to believe that he had not left the premises when requested to do so by the owner."
"You said you had already had one encounter with the defendant. Can you describe that encounter?" Upon whish Emily launched into a brief description of the incident at the Sini*star diner.
"You described a ritual scarification allegedly made by the defendant. Can you show us this scar?"
Emily rolled up her sleeve to show the Celtic design that had been carved on her arm.
"Was this original artwork?"
Emily frowned. "No, it is a replication of a design on my shoulder."
"Another scar?"
"No, a tattoo."
"And can you show the court the tattoo?"
"To do so would require me to remove my shirt, which is inappropriate in a courtroom."
"How long have you had this tattoo?"
"Objection!" cried the prosecutor. "That is irrelevant to the case!"
"Sustained." Said the judge. The defense will not ask about the witness's private pursuits."
Charles changed his tactic quickly.
"Had you been drinking alcoholic beverages that night?"
"Two." Emily's voice was cold.
"And is this not a breach of protocol?"
"No, it is not. Fense is outside Silverhawks jurisdiction, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages by officers off duty is well documented."
"I see. Do you think the alcoholic beverages may have impaired your judgment that night, Sergeant Heart?"
"No, I do not."
"I'm finished with the witness, Your Honor. There's no need to make any further statements at this point."
"The witness is dismissed with the thanks of the court." Said the judge.
Emily exited the courtroom with a glazed look in her eyes. Few noticed the crescents of blood in the palms of her hands.
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Finally, the moment every reporter in Limbo was waiting for had arrived. The defendant was to take the stand.
Down on Bedlama, just about every eye was on a holovision screen, including Damian Wyvern, the defendant's son. He made sure he would be awake for this. And he wasn't watching the trial alone.
"Thanks for waking me up, Kit. I didn't even hear the alarm."
"I figured you'd be out of it. How are you taking all this anyways?"
"I don't know what to think. On one hand, I'm completely disgusted by what my father did to all of those women. On the other, I love my father. Without him I wouldn't even be here. And I know he loves me and my Mum."
"By Jaga, this all must be so hard for you."
"You have no idea."
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/24/02 12:07:51 pm
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Dragor had just been sworn in and took his place at the stand. "It's about damn time." he commented.
"State your name, please." the prosecutor started.
"Dragor Wyvern."
"You have about four charges of rape in the first degree and one charge of murder one against you since your escape. Do you deny this?"
"I deny the murder charge, that's for certain."
"Could you tell us, in your own words, the happenings of May 7, twenty-three years ago?"
"With pleasure. I was undergoing a transfer from the Asylum Planet to the Penal Planet."
"And the reasons for your transfer were..."
"My doctor found out I've been going out of my cell and leaving little love notes on her desk. She suggested I be confinded to a more secure location."
"I see. Have you made previous attempts to rape or seduce your doctor?"
"No. Well, only if you count the times I asked her to run away with me, but unfortunately, the poor woman was too loyal to that dumb mate of hers."
"You knew she was married?"
"Knew? She's had to remind me everytime I asked her out, along with the policy that it's inappropriate for doctors to date their paticents."
"Can you describe the events that led to the death of your doctor?"
"My pleasure." Dragor told, in exact detail, the events of that one day. Most of the court was disgusted and horrified by his bluntness. "Even when I pinned her down to the floor," he continued. "She still struggled. I tried to make her stop resisting me, but she wouldn't give up. I left the scene the instant I heard the authorities coming. She was unconcious by then."
"You didn't know that she was dead?"
"Hell, no. I didn't find out about that until the paper came out with her obituary."
"Did you, under any circumstance, wanted the deceased dead?"
"Of course not. I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a murderer. Besides, she was a lot more fun when she was alive." That brought about a disturbance from the back of the courtroom.
Edited by: Charra Loon at: 1/26/04 9:29 pm
Re: Trials and Tribulations
On Fense, all eyes in the Sini-Star Diner were glued to the screen as they watched secutiry officers grab Jeremiah Lockup as he screamed, cursed at, and threatened the defendant in the middle of his testimony.
"Wow. He looks like he's gonna blow a gasket!" Bandit commented.
"I would too, if that was my wife!" Cyclops added.
"Damn! What the hell does Echo see in that Dragor guy? He's obviously nuts!" Spike shouted.
"Well, for one thing, he's better lookin'," Bandit teased. Spike threw his empty glass at him.
"Will you guys pipe down?" Harry complained. "I'm trying to hear!" Everyone got quiet as they listened to the rest of Dragor's testimony. Things got quite interesting when the prosecutor asked Dragor about his relationship with Eliza Nosferatu.
Edited by: Detia1 at: 1/25/02 8:45:20 pm
Re: Trials and Tribulations
"My relation to Eliza Nosferatu." Dragor stated. "Well, first off, she's the mother of my son (who, unfortunately is nothing like me except for looks). Other than that, she's what one would describe as my official girl."
"Your offical girl?"
"Uh-huh. We've been seeing each other since that time I kidnapped her during her attempt to gain that bounty on my head. There was a little estragement when I started screwing around, but we got back together a few years later."
"I see. Did you know that Ms. Nosferatu was a bounty hunter when you first met her?"
"I suspected, but I took my chances." Dragor then turned towards the judge. "Did you really have to drag that insect out of here? I thought he would be interested to know that whatever futile plans he had for revenge through his 'number one bounty hunter' seriously backfired." He then started laughing at his own personal joke.
Re: Trials and Tribulations
Damian sat up when he heard what his father said about his mother. He knew nothing of the true circumstances under which they had met. He had been told a more romantic version. He realized that his mother had started out as one of his father's victims. He listened intently as the prosecutor continued to question the defendant. By that time, a better composed Warden Lockup returned to the court. He wasn't quite prepared for what he was going to learn about his number one bounty hunter.
Mikel30 Registered User
Posts: 57
(1/28/02 9:20 pm) Reply
Re: Trials and Tribulations She was protecting him all that time! And to think I took pity on her and gave her that desk job!
He continued to listen as the prosecutor continued to question him about his vicitms, particularly all the ones who had previously taken the stand in the past few days.
Re: Trials and Tribulations
"Oh, you already asked them." Dragor answered. "But what can I do? I am under oath." He basically repeated what the victims said, only he told it in more graphic detail. "And that's the end of it, kiddies!" he concluded. "If you can't stomach that, tough."
"Mr. Wyvern," the prosecutor started. "Are you aware that your testimony will have you on death row on the quadruple rape and double murder charge?"
"Pardon? Double murder? Look, only one woman got killed by me, and that was an accident."
"Yes, a woman did die by your attack; a woman who was also pregnant at the time of her death." That took Dragor by surprise.
"Wha--pregnant? Kate?"
"Yes, Mr. Wyvern. The autopsy reports tell us the fetus was two weeks old at the time of your attack, and it died with its mother. What do you have to say about that?"
"Oops." This caused an uproar in the court.
"You raped and murdered a woman who was two weeks with child and all you can say is 'oops'?!"
"Well, it's not like I knew her oven was baking! And I know she didn't know either or she wouldn't have volunteered to escort me that day. Well, that explains why that insect has been such a pain in my a**."
Re: Trials and Tribulations
On Brim*Star, Dragor's fellow Mobsters were watching the trial.
"Damn, I knew Dragor was sick but...oh, I don't even know what to say to that!" Zero commented, shaking his head.
"Jester, how could you vork vith someone like that?" Glycerin shouted.
"Hey, look, we're just business partners, ok. It's not like I knew all his personal business. Hell, I didn't even know he had a kid!"
"Well, folks. Looks like the fate of the Saurian Casanova is sealed," Windahammer stated. They all wondered what direction the defense was going to take the case now.
I knew I shouldn't have let him take the stand, Charles thought to himself as he got up to cross examine the defendant. He hoped he could undo some of the damage his client had done. Edited by: Detia1 at: 2/2/02 10:00:48 pm
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