[Ministry of Justice] Allerian Empire vs. Malkaer Andares

[Shorty]

10th Kalendryas
Era XIII (pf)
the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

Allerian Empire vs. Lord Malkaer Andares

The Court of law within the Imperial Forum was reserved for those special cases- usually political crimes or crimes involving the upper echelons of the Imperial Government. On the first floor of the Ministry of Justice this court could be found. It was a small affair to keep the curious away, and well guarded to keep the interested away. There was three rows of benches for observers, wooden pews uncomfortable and unyielding to the back side. At the head of the room was a large Judge's platform from which the the His Lordship, the Chief Tribune would hear the case.

The gray haired halfling male entered the room dressed in his robes and carrying a copy of the AoI. He was round with living the good life, yet he did not survive as long as he did as an Imperial Jurist without being hardnosed and highly intelligent. A nearby Baliff cleared his throat and motioned for those attending to stand...

"All rise. This court is now in session- Chief Tribune Anfred Underhall presiding."

The halfling banged the gavel and read the charges.

"Lord Malkaer Andares," He said in a surprisingly loud voice, "You are charged with violating Article 111 of the Articles of Imperium. Speak and you shall be heard..." Tribune Underhall looked Malkaer in the eyes before nodding to the prosecution to begin.

"Rogator, you may begin with your opening statement..." The Tribune leaned back and carefully listened to the testimony to come.

OOC: Alright I've talked to you both and I think we all agree to the following outline for this case (shamelessly copy and pasted from AIM chat with Ogabe)-
Prosecution opening statements
Defence opening statements
Prosecution witnesses/evidence, with each witness offered up for cross examination
Defence witnesses and cross
Rebuttal witnesses if necessary
Prosecution closing
Defence Closing

If everyone's in agreement- Ogabe's up first.

[Ogabe K'tinga]

Ali Ben-Shazzar stood slowly, gathering his thoughts and going over his initial argument for the fiftieth time before he stepped to the small podium before the bench. A long coat of deepest blue with a modest amount of gold embroidery was the most formal attire the Rogator could manage, but it still suited him well.

”Your Imperial Honor, we are witness here to a true rarity in the court system: a case where the material facts are not in dispute. For all his skill, Observator Desren cannot, without soliciting perjury, contest that the actions and words of the Defendant were said and done. I have no doubt that the Defendant can, and will, assign benevolent motives to his actions, but the fact remains that such acts are explicitly prohibited by law. I have no doubt that the Defendant can and will attempt to cloak his actions under the protection of the Articles of Imperium as free speech. He will say that the hard stance he took was merely a political gambit to reach a compromise in what he viewed to be negotiations.”

“Unfortunately for the Defendant, ignoring one’s fealty to the crown is most definitely not a suitable, or legal, negotiating tactic. Unfortunately for the Defendant, the duties of the Imperial Judicator, as well as his authority, are most definitely not subject to negotiation. And most unfortunately for the Defendant, he does not have the legal standing to pick and choose which of the Articles of Imperium apply to him, and which do not. We, as an Empire, cannot tolerate such behavior in any form, and this is why we are here, to call the Defendant to account for his actions, and exact justice upon him.” he concluded, offering a short bow to the cether at the bench and retaking his seat.