Week 2 - Trial

[cartesio]

Week 2: Trial

The day still is April 13th. It's now the afternoon

Just like he said he would, the Sergeant went to everyone and told them to go to the courthouse. It wasn't difficult to find -- three of the tourists already knew where it was. What nobody, not even these three thought, was that the courtroom would be so much populated this time.

All of the visitors went into the only trial room in the courthouse. In the center there were several podiums, formed into a circle. Each podium had a small notepad and a pen, and a slot on the top part of its surface, presumably to insert your vote in it. Each podium has a small placard showing who it belongs to -- except for Moloch von Zinzer's podium. That one is draped with black velvet.

The tribunes at the sides of the courtroom are higher than where your podiums are. During the trial Sakura, Wayne and Millium attended those tribunes had been empty, but this time they're not. Quite a lot of the townspeople are sitting there, talking with each other and observing all of the tourists with different expressions. Confusion, disdain, shock, all kinds of emotions, all united by the feeling of morbid curiosity. What did the tourists do? What will happen? That's what they're wondering.

And above all of them, on the judge's seat...the Sergeant. None of the townspeople's paying attention to him, he's sitting on his chair and twirling the gavel in his hand. He still is very pleased a murder happened, and once it's time to start, he says:

"We have gathered today for the trial to find the culprit for the death of Moloch von Zinzer. It's your task to discuss, find the truth of this murder and bring it to light. For the sake of not letting you bunch run in circles, I have decided to lend you a hand and give you the five most likely suspects -- the culprit being one of them"

And indeed, five small photos appear on your podium.

            

"When it's time, you shall cast your vote. Write it on paper or put the photo inside the slot, I don't really care about how you do it. What matters is that you actually do it. With no further ado, I wish you good luck!"

The trial room went completely silent, all the visitors can feel the attentive stares of the townspeople gathered to watch. It's up to you now to find the culprit.

Let the trial begin.

Links

Evidence
Guestbook
Voting

[Welcome to the trial! Please remember to cash your votes here!. Your deadline is 8:00 PM EST. Good luck!]

Comments

[clearities]

[ While Sakura doesn't have much to say in the way of discussing the murder itself, there is one thing that she can't help but bring up, aloud. ]

This is... different?

[ There's definitely quite a bit of differences this time. ]

[quickpersuader]

Different how?

[Kino's side eyeing the crowd they have, but not much that can be done about it now.]

[clearities]

We didn't have a suspect list last time... and there wasn't a crowd around, either.

[quickpersuader]

Then why the change now...?

[Hn.]

Continuing to raise suspicion...?

[linearcrash]

Maybe he found he gets off on their reactions or something.

[ Pointing over to town people ]

[quickpersuader]

He already made us lose their trust.

[Sounds plausible.]

[clearities]

Maybe, but... I think we should focus our efforts on the trial and talk about this later.

[burgerprince]

Could be a fan of gameshows. A panel of contestants, put in your votes, see who wins the prize at the end.

[quickpersuader]

[...]

Does the Sergeant strike you as that type?

[Kino's tone is neutral. As always, it's a genuine question.]

[streetwolf]

Makes you wonder how they'll take the 'prize' don't it?

[linearcrash]

Huh? Different how? [ S'up small fry ]

[clearities]

[ Well, you see... ]

[streetwolf]

[He's quiet, not enough that he can't be heard. He's not capable of that but he's trying.]

It's like he's making it entertainment.

[clearities]

I don't like it... [ Her voice is low, too, but it's audible enough, thankfully. ]

[streetwolf]

[He's pulling his hood up.]

Yeah with the paper from the other day, and showing them all one of us killed someone...Damnit...

[relieable]

I mean, if they wanted entertainment, I would've been happy to tell a bunch of jokes, or something.

[streetwolf]

I don't think jokes will make this guy laugh.

[relieable]

You're right, Sarge wouldn't laugh. But the rest of the town might. I can be pretty funny!

[the Sergeant is just a sadistic freak]

[streetwolf]

I think it's a tough crowd. I'm pretty sure this isn't how murder trials are supposed to go.

[relieable]

Pretty sure you're right. But I've never been to one myself.

[protectandselfserve]

Honestly, there being an audience isn't that unusual to me. Trials are open to the public where I"m from.

[streetwolf]

And I'm guess that's to make sure no one does anything sneaky right?

[protectandselfserve]

Something like that. It's part transparency... part also entertainment, considering what goes on there. Why, back in December, someone cross-examined a parrot right in court!

[streetwolf]

A parrot as in...Couldn't they just teach it what to say?

[protectandselfserve]

Well, there is some evidence to suggest someone involved retrained the parrot to hide evidence... but apparently they got what they needed out of the parrot’s testimony anyway.