Post by Elita-1 on Jul 2, 2011 12:14:29 GMT -5
OOC: Defense can add their closing onto this thread if they wish.
All the witnesses have been called, all the evidence presented. There remains only for the two sides to provide their summations, to give the jury members their last thoughts to ponder. Elita-1 cycles air slowly as she gathers her notes to her, reviews them, and finally sets them back down on the table before rising and moving out into the room. She walks about the room, making eye contact with jury, counsel, judge, and audience members alike as she gives her closing arguments.
“Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, we are all very aware of the very morally gray area in which we are all treading with this trial. The question of whether or not we even have the right to hold these proceedings has been a hotly contested idea from the moment of its inception. Do we, a motley group of Autobots from such varied realities, even have the right to judge another in this reality for war crimes perpetrated in another reality, here where the evidence is largely circumstantial and the witnesses few? Is it right to hold an individual responsible for acts done as a Decepticon when he did not start out as one, or instances where he was only ‘following orders?’”
“You have asked yourselves these questions, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, many times I am sure. You are still asking them, will possibly still continue to ask them of yourselves even after you have rendered your verdict. I know that I will.”
“Nevertheless, we cannot shrink from setting a precedent simply because it is seems unpleasant. We must, all of us, do our duty to insure that not only are our own safe in the now, but that they will also be safe in the future. In instances where we could not prevent devastation or disaster we must insure that those who fall during this war, those who are forcibly harmed or violated, are given the best justice that we can give. More often than not, that justice comes on a battlefield, yes, but sometimes, like now, it comes in the courtroom. ”
She turns and gestures toward Hook. “The defendant has entered a plea of Not Guilty. Not. Guilty. The defendant does not claim not guilty by reason of insanity or mental incompetence even though circumstances would perhaps make it a reasonable plea. The entering of such a definitive plea tells the court that the defendant’s counsel is secure in their client’s mental stability. A client who has testified himself that his mind is not the mind with which he was created. By his own admission and by his own relation’s testimony, the Hook who sits now in this courtroom is not the Hook who built Crystal City.”
“However, he is the Hook who was responsible for its destruction. The Hook responsible for multiple attempts to destroy planets.”
“He is also the Hook who attempted to forcibly reprogram the Crystal City’s guardian, Omega Supreme- the same Omega Supreme who is currently a member of our group and whose testimony you have previously heard. “
Elita-1 turns back to the jury, “You heard Omega’s testimony. You have seen what the defendant’s actions have done to him. For the rest of his existence, Omega Supreme will live an emotional cripple thanks to the efforts of the Constructicons. Thanks to the efforts of the defendant!”
“There can be no other outcome to this trial, no other verdict from you, the jury, but Guilty”
All the witnesses have been called, all the evidence presented. There remains only for the two sides to provide their summations, to give the jury members their last thoughts to ponder. Elita-1 cycles air slowly as she gathers her notes to her, reviews them, and finally sets them back down on the table before rising and moving out into the room. She walks about the room, making eye contact with jury, counsel, judge, and audience members alike as she gives her closing arguments.
“Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, we are all very aware of the very morally gray area in which we are all treading with this trial. The question of whether or not we even have the right to hold these proceedings has been a hotly contested idea from the moment of its inception. Do we, a motley group of Autobots from such varied realities, even have the right to judge another in this reality for war crimes perpetrated in another reality, here where the evidence is largely circumstantial and the witnesses few? Is it right to hold an individual responsible for acts done as a Decepticon when he did not start out as one, or instances where he was only ‘following orders?’”
“You have asked yourselves these questions, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, many times I am sure. You are still asking them, will possibly still continue to ask them of yourselves even after you have rendered your verdict. I know that I will.”
“Nevertheless, we cannot shrink from setting a precedent simply because it is seems unpleasant. We must, all of us, do our duty to insure that not only are our own safe in the now, but that they will also be safe in the future. In instances where we could not prevent devastation or disaster we must insure that those who fall during this war, those who are forcibly harmed or violated, are given the best justice that we can give. More often than not, that justice comes on a battlefield, yes, but sometimes, like now, it comes in the courtroom. ”
She turns and gestures toward Hook. “The defendant has entered a plea of Not Guilty. Not. Guilty. The defendant does not claim not guilty by reason of insanity or mental incompetence even though circumstances would perhaps make it a reasonable plea. The entering of such a definitive plea tells the court that the defendant’s counsel is secure in their client’s mental stability. A client who has testified himself that his mind is not the mind with which he was created. By his own admission and by his own relation’s testimony, the Hook who sits now in this courtroom is not the Hook who built Crystal City.”
“However, he is the Hook who was responsible for its destruction. The Hook responsible for multiple attempts to destroy planets.”
“He is also the Hook who attempted to forcibly reprogram the Crystal City’s guardian, Omega Supreme- the same Omega Supreme who is currently a member of our group and whose testimony you have previously heard. “
Elita-1 turns back to the jury, “You heard Omega’s testimony. You have seen what the defendant’s actions have done to him. For the rest of his existence, Omega Supreme will live an emotional cripple thanks to the efforts of the Constructicons. Thanks to the efforts of the defendant!”
“There can be no other outcome to this trial, no other verdict from you, the jury, but Guilty”