2008-10-12 - TILLS V. GRIKE

Somber and cold, this large chamber is ringed about three of its sides with simple, blue cushioned benches descending to stage-like floor at to the north. Here, two long desks: one of polished black plasteel, the other of white, sit humbly before the imposing edifice of the Podium. Standing four meters tall over the desks and benches, more than likely the highest seat on Coruscant, the Podium is constructed of simple silver durasteel, polished and glimmering even in the subtle lighting of the Courtroom. Behind, like a simple downward strok of paint, hangs a blue flag bearing the Seal of Republic Law.
The chamber's roof is pointed, and on all sides for the north it is flanked by an army of columns. To the south there is no wall, and a walkway leads through the columnade into the Palace Gardens that share this Eastern Summit.
Bail Organa and the few dozen or so junior justices are seated. The Supreme Justice, looking a bit tired and severe nods. "Lets begin? Will counsel step foward and identify themselves."
Meena Tills rises. "I speak as plaintiff and council."
Grike peers at Meena, still in lasercuffs. He is unsure what to do, not familiar with Republic court code.
Meena Tills frowns. "Has no lawyer been appoitned to represent the defendent?"
Bail glances around and shrugs. "I was not aware the Republic is obliged to appoint counsel for plaintiff or defendent."
Meena Tills shrugs. "No, I suppose not. Let us proceed then."
Grike glares around and just sits there bored.
Bail nods and sets aside one pile of datapads for another. "As there was no third-party available, the Court has decided to move on. Plaintiff, please present any witnesses you have to testify and submit to cross examination."
Amongst the gallery, Anneke is sitting there with a datapad on her lap and her attention towards the front of the court. Here to observe and take notes, it seems.
Meena Tills rises, and proceeds to play the tank recordings from Nissa Sarcat's and his tanks, which basically shows the events indicated at arraignment.
Bail watches the recordings and then rewinds and watches them again. Several times, he looks at Grike and shakes his head. Finished, he says. "Defendent, do you wish to cross examine Meena Tills regarding his recording?"
Grike looks to Bail, "No."
Bail nods and makes a mark on a datapad. "Defendent, you may now present any witnesses you have to testify."
Anneke actually blinks in surprise at that. Though then she hurriedly types in some more things into her datapad.
Nissa slips quietly into the courtroom, moving to find a place to sit.
Grike answers in his low usual growl of a tone, with a rough edge. "I have prepared no witnesses prior to this trial."
Bail replies, "well, why you don't tell the Court what happened, in your own words. Please be brief and to the point."
Meena Tills stands still, letting Grkike speak.
Grike clears his throat and speaks in a loud commanding voice. "I arrived on Coruscant, moved to the walkway where a battle was taking place. A quick assessment showed victim James Loro being assaulted by Zrasssk, a Trandoshan. I stepped out from the crowd with my blaster on stun to assist in apprehending Zrasssk. I disregarded two commands from Meena Tills and was fired upon by a J3 Juggernaut Tank."
Bail nods and whispers to a droid. As he does so, he glances at Tills. "Chairman... cross examination?"
Meena Tills pauses. "Grike's factual statemennts are correct. I gave the reasons for the actions at arraignment. That he is here summarizing the events demonstrates that I made every effort to use less than lethal force in a situation where everyone but he had dropped weapons."
Meena Tills says, "So no, I don't think it's necessary to cross-examine.""
Anneke quickly starts to hammer in some more notes as Nissa sits down next to her, and then? Then she blinks. Though she tries to keep typing notes, she does look over towards Nissa to whisper something.
Anneke whispers to Nissa.
Bail nods and sets aside a stack of datapads for another. "Let's begin Aponomy with motions for dismissal or transfer? Anyone?"
Meena Tills shakes his head. "I'd prefer the trial be concluded expeditiously."
Nissa tilts her head as she listens to Anneke. She frowns, turning to look at the yound woman for a long moment. Finally, she speaks in low tones back to her.
Nissa whispers to Anneke.
Grike looks up at Bail again, "If I may, I'd like to add that even though Zrasssk was disarmed, he was still attacking James Loro. I fired after the military failed in capturing him."
Anneke whispers to Nissa.
Meena Tills says, "After twice ignoring commands to drop your weapon," Meena Tills replies. Bt I thought we were done with testiomony and cross-examination.""
Anneke continues to whisper back to Nissa, voice low enough no one should be able to hear it but the Mon Calamari. And then taking more notes on the statements.
Bail nods and makes a note. "Plaintiff and Defendent," Bail ignores the interruption from both sides, "are the facts of the case in dispute? That the Defendent entered the walkway, refused to obey lawful commands from legitimate law enforcement officers, and fired his weapon at a sentient being?"
Meena Tills says, "Those are the facts as I understand them."
Grike narrows his eyes, "They are correct."
Nissa lets Anneke continuing with her writing for a minute, turning her attention to the front. Her frown deepens, before she leans towards Anneke once more.
Nissa whispers to Anneke.
Anneke whispers to Nissa.
Bail nods. "The Court is prepeared to render Summary Judgment if requested. Otherwise, we will move on to Archonomy."
Meena Tills says, "I would prefer a summary judgement unless defendant prefers to have extended argument.""
Grike shakes his head.
Anneke nods to Nissa, and then looks to the front, leaning forward a bit and ceasing with the notes as she waits for the results.
Bail sighs and shakes his head. "Very well. It is the Summary Judgment of the Supreme Court that the defendent is Endonomous of all charges presented. Does the Plaintiff have a sentencing recommendation?"
Meena Tills frowns. "I have never dealt with this kind of case. I will trust to the court's customary handling of such cases."
Bail looks at Grike and strokes his chin. "Do you have anything to say before the Court decides your sentence?"
Grike just watches Bail, "Any statements I make are futile to the decision of this case."
Nissa nods carefully to Anneke, before she shifts where she sits, attention to what is going on in the courtroom.
Anneke grimaces at bit at Grike's reaction, and just starts to shake her head as she returns her gaze back to Bail to listen to the next bit...
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) A smooth, young female voice says, "Brae Terienn to Bail Organa. Is Your Majesty available?"
Bail's head tips forward and he pushes his fingers through his hair. "The Court orders Grike remanded to the custody of the Republic Guard. The Guard is ordered to keep him detained in an appropriate facility for not less than fourteen days. And... Grike is ordered to pay a hundred credit fine. This case being cleared, the Court is adjourned."
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) Bail Organa says, "One moment please, Senator."
Anneke takes a deep breath, but remains where she is sitting after the judgement is rendered. She does take final notes and places her datapad away in her purse before brushing her bangs back and leaning back in her chair.
Nissa looks down at her comlink as it buzzes, retrieving it from her boot to listen. A glance towards the front of the courtroom, and she simply nods.
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) Bail Organa says, "Senator, Organa here, I'm /just/ about to leave Court. What can I help you with?"
Grike glares and steps forward, "What would the cost be for immediate release?"
<FONT COLOR=#FBB917>COMSYS:</FONT> (single channel) A smooth, young female voice says, "Oh. Sorry to bother you, sir. It is no rush. I sent you a message and you can respond at your convenience."
Bail and his fellow justices start to leave the chamber. Grike's question catches the Supreme Justice off guard. "Well.... shall we say... ten thousand credits? Plaintiff? Do you have anything to say on that?"
Nissa looks to Grike as he asks the question, frowning. She sits back quietly, though.
Seeing that Meena Tills is busy with another matter, Bail shrugs. "Ten thousand credits and a month's probation. That is the Court's offer for imediate release."
Anneke blinks as she takes her datapad back out and begins to type things into it again. Seems this wasn't expected to her either.
Grike dips his head in agreement, "I accept these charges."
Grike pays you 10000 credits.
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TILLS V. GRIKEJustice Bail Organa has entered a new judgment and it reads:. . . the summary judgment of the Supreme Court. . . the defendent is Endonomous of all charges. . . the Court sentences him to one month probation and orders him to pay a ten thousand credit fine.Signed,Justice Bail Organa
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Category: October 2008 RP Logs