Case 1-1: The Unfashionable Turnabout

[twotailedgenius]

[NOTE: Any links in posts or comments will lead to music that we feel fits the scene. Feel free to listen while reading!]

[The scene opens in a clothing store, where a pale yellow mare with a mane of teal with light teal streaks is having a bit of an argument with the store's owner: a red mane'd white stallion.]

I do not appreciate you disturbing my customers, and trying to steal them away. Please stop coming to my shop or I will have to-

[The stallion appears to smack the mare across the face.]

Ah don't appreciate ya stompin' up to mah store and harassin' mah! Y'all city folks're all th' same!

[The mare puts down a hoof indignantly.]

How dare you! That's physical assault, and I will alert the guards!

[Suddenly, the view goes dark, as a cry of pain erupts.]

Ahhhh...!

[And another sound, and a thump as somepony falls to the floor... and before long, another striking sound is heard, and the other falls to the floor as well. Suddenly, the view shifts to a pink and purple mare, with a nasty smirk on her face.]

Heh heh heh... this is perfect. I can frame her and get my revenge... If I can't have a fashion career, neither can she... 'kay.

[The place goes dark again.]

Comments

COURTROOM LOBBY

[twotailedgenius]

Courtroom Lobby
January 11th, 9:32 AM

(Uuugh... still half-asleep... and still nervous...

And only a half hour until the trial starts... I wish I had something with caffeine I could drink right about now...)

Re: COURTROOM LOBBY

[shyformerassistant]

[Coco's just as nervous as Tails. Even more so as she's the defendant of this case.

She has some bandages around her forearm where she got injured and she was currently standing around feeling uneasy.

Perhaps someone can break the ice?]

TRIAL DAY 1

[sunshineandpinecones]

Courtroom No. 1
10:00 AM

[The gallery is mumbling about each other, with ponies from all over seated and waiting for the trial to begin.

The gavel is then struck down, and a green mare with light green hair looks around before starting.]

... ... [Okay, give her a moment. It's her first time actually presiding as a Judge.]

Court is now in session for the trial of Coco Pommel.

[twotailedgenius]

(Okay, so if I remember, the defense has to say something... oh right.)

The... the defense is ready, Your Honor.

THE STAND (COCO POMMEL)

[shyformerassistant]

[Coco followed the bailiff to the stand, trying to ignore the glares from the stands.

She arrives on the stand and waits nervously.]

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

[Here we go. Time for standard procedure.]

Defendant. You are to state your name and occupation for all the court to hear.

DEFENDANT TESTIMONY #1

[shyformerassistant]

[ What happened during my visit ]

I visited Red Shirt to speak with him because he was causing disruption in my store.

I told him to please stop messing with my costumers and he refused. We argued a little and during the argument, he knocked me unconscious.

When I woke up, Red Shirt was already laying there dead. I have no idea what really happened during my blackout, but I didn't kill him.

[sunshineandpinecones]

So the victim was causing issues...? That doesn't sound good. And he even knocked you unconscious! Sounded like a rude person to me. .. N-Not that it justified his death, of course.

CROSS-EXAMINATION - WHAT HAPPENED DURING MY VISIT

[shyformerassistant]

[ #1 ]

I visited Red Shirt to speak with him because he was causing disruption in my store.

[twotailedgenius]

What kinds of disruptions?

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #2

[shyformerassistant]

I told him to please stop messing with my costumers and he refused.

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #3

[shyformerassistant]

We argued a little and during the argument, he knocked me unconscious.

[twotailedgenius]

He knocked you unconscious? With what?

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #4

[shyformerassistant]

When I woke up, Red Shirt was already laying there dead.

[twotailedgenius]

Did you notice anything strange about the body? Anypony else there at all?

(I know she said she didn't see anypony else, but I still have to ask.)

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #5

[shyformerassistant]

I have no idea what really happened during my blackout, but I didn't kill him.

OBJECTION!

[twotailedgenius]

"We argued a little and during the argument, he knocked me unconscious. My stab wound is from something else, nothing to do with this case."



[Tails has a hoof out as he yells that.]

(... Wow. That was a little nerve-wracking. But more importantly... her testimony clashes with two pieces of evidence.)

... Defendant, I'm afraid that's just not possible. Your own blood was found on both the knife and the red shirt as well as the victim's.

[He slams a hoof down, and then points out again.]

The wound had to have been inflicted around that same time!

Re: OBJECTION!

[shyformerassistant]

[She flinches at that as if she took damage.]

Um...

I...

I guess I forgot about that.

DEFENDANT TESTIMONY #2

[shyformerassistant]

[ The argument and struggle ]

We argued about his behavior with my costumers and I asked him to stop coming to my store. He was being disruptive with them and it was affecting my business.

He slapped me on the face and told me he didn't appreciate me "stomping" up to his store. Apparently he had something against "city folk" like me for some reason.

I told him that was physical assault and I threatened to alert the guards on him.

He came at me with a knife and cut my arm. I tried to fight back but he knocked me out before I could.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

...Little by little, we learn more and more. The knife is accounted for, but let it be noted that the stab wound on Red Shirt caused by it is nowhere mentioned in the testimony. Such a travesty should be fixed as soon as possible.

Cross-Examination: Defendant Testimony #2

[shyformerassistant]

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #1

[shyformerassistant]

[ The argument and struggle ]

We argued about his behavior with my costumers and I asked him to stop coming to my store.

Post Cross-Examination

[sunshineandpinecones]

[The judge slams down her gavel.]

That's enough. I believe we've gotten all information that we can out of Ms. Pommel. And... it looks like there's more. What is the prosecution's thoughts?

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The Great and Powerful Trixie still stands by the motive, yet the defense brings up a logical point. The motive is bought up into question, but that will simply be rectified. If you will, Trixie requests a recess so she is able to prepare the witness to the murderer's heinous crime.

COURTOOM LOBBY - RECESS

[twotailedgenius]

Courtroom Defense Lobby #3
11:45 AM

(That was too close! For a first case, this is definitely nerve-wracking... I was almost sure it was going to be over!)

Re: COURTOOM LOBBY - RECESS

[shyformerassistant]

[Coco is trying to keep herself calm. That was indeed a close call. If he hadn't pressed further, they would have been done for.]

I wonder who the witness is?

TRIAL DAY 1, PART 2

[sunshineandpinecones]

Courtroom #1
11:55 AM

[The gavel is struck.]

Court is now back in session. Is your witness prepared, Ms. Trixie?

... Additionally, it seems the court has allowed the defendant to act as co-counsel with Mr. Tails.

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

The witness is well prepared. Let it be known that Trixie never makes a mistake as one you would suggest.

Trixie shall call the witness that had seen all that had transpired.

THE STAND (SURI POLOMARE)

[everyponyforherself]

[Suri walks up to the stand with full confidence.

She gives a smirk over to Coco, but then looks away and remains quiet.]

Re: THE STAND (SURI POLOMARE)

[shyformerassistant]

[Coco flinches once more as if that smirk damaged her and her eyes widen.

Just what in Celestia is she doing here? Wasn't she supposed to be in Manehatten?!]

WITNESS TESTIMONY #1

[everyponyforherself]

[ What I witnessed ]

I was walking by myself when I heard a loud noise from inside the store. When I peeked from the door, Mr. Red Shirt and that lady over there were having an argument, mm'kay?

[She points a hoof towards Coco when she mentions "that lady".]

They were having some dispute and she suddenly took out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

She fainted afterwards. Either 'cause of guilt or the sight of the blood, 'kay?

[sunshineandpinecones]

[She seems to be deep in thought for a moment.]

Hm. So the defendant took out a knife and stabbed the victim... [It seems really off. But she's going to give the honors to the defense to object later.]

Cross-Examination: Witness Testimony #1

[everyponyforherself]

[See above]

I was walking by myself when I heard a loud noise from inside the store. When I peeked from the door, Mr. Red Shirt and that lady over there were having an argument, mm'kay?

They were having some dispute and she suddenly took out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.

She fainted afterwards. Either 'cause of guilt or the sight of the blood, 'kay?

OBJECTION!

[twotailedgenius]

"They were having some dispute and she suddenly took out a knife and stabbed him in the chest."



(Strike one.)

So you claim the defendant had the knife on her, correct? You're absolutely sure about that?

WITNESS TESTIMONY #2

[everyponyforherself]

[ What really happened ]

Okay, so she didn't stab him. They were arguing when he slapped her across the face. She got mad and tried to attack him but he took out a knife and cut her with it.

They struggled for a bit until she forced the knife from his hooves and stabbed him in the chest.

She apparently fainted 'cause I heard her fall when I started to run. I didn't want some stranger to go after me and end my life to silence me.

[sunshineandpinecones]

[She nods.] That seems logical. And also points out that he didn't use magic at all to wield the knife, but his hooves.

Defense, you may begin your cross-examination.

Cross-Examination: Witness Testimony #2

[everyponyforherself]

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #1

[everyponyforherself]

[ What really happened ]

Okay, so she didn't stab him. They were arguing when he slapped her across the face. She got mad and tried to attack him but he took out a knife and cut her with it.

OBJECTION!

[twotailedgenius]

"She apparently fainted 'cause I heard her fall when I started to run. I didn't want some stranger to go after me and end my life to silence me."



(Strike two.)

... Some stranger, huh? Ms. Polomare, do you really think we're going to buy that?

Re: OBJECTION!

[everyponyforherself]

W-what? What do you mean by that?

WITNESS TESTIMONY #3

[everyponyforherself]

[ After the murder ]

After Red Shirt was dead, I checked on Coco Pommel to see if she was still alive. When I was sure she was okay, I left to go get the guards.

She may have ruined my career, but you have no proof that I did it.

[sunshineandpinecones]

... Defense, you may begin your cross-examination.

Cross-Examination: Defendant Testimony #3

[everyponyforherself]

CROSS-EXAMINATION - STATEMENT #1

[everyponyforherself]

[ After the murder ]

After Red Shirt was dead, I checked on Coco Pommel to see if she was still alive.

Post Cross-Examination

[twotailedgenius]

(N...no way! Without the right proof, her testimony is airtight!)

Re: Post Cross-Examination

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

And thus we are back to where we have started: The witness having no motive and the defendant having a very strong one.

[Trixie takes a gracious bow.]

And thus, the final words have been written down, the epilogue intricately scripted.

Post-Breakdown

[sunshineandpinecones]

... [She clears her throat.] ... U-um. I can't say I was... expecting this at all... Mr. Tails, you seem to act like another defense attorney I once knew. He used to find the true murderer in trials just like these.

Prosecution, what are your thoughts on what just transpired...?

[cape_and_wizard_hat]

[Trixie's just... slumped over the desk, her hooves hanging off and chin resting on top.]

How could this have happened... My first case, and I lose... What a lousy first impression...