cartesianism | Week 2

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's plausible, and would mean less blood getting on the culprit's clothes.

You think it'd stay together though?

[Duct tape is powerful but can it really keep the knife on there???]

An unusual, awkward weapon like that would explain the mark on the ground.

You're right about that. I can think of another explanation, but that one does make the most sense.

What's the other explanation you can think of?

I think the guestbook says Sandalphon can use lasers, there's always a chance that's what made the mark.

...That seems way harder to use than just a normal knife.

Right? Who would do something that dumb?

[Silently looks at Nine.]

[well. that can't be helped.

but seriously]

Also, mops are kind of... You know, floppy. Even if it was taped together, wouldn't that be an issue?

Yeah, it'd be bottom heavy if you didn't take the moppy part off.

Can that mop head be unscrewed?

That depends on the mop... can you check?

(no subject)

kingbomber - 2018-10-13 18:06 (UTC) - Expand

pecker - 2018-10-13 18:23 (UTC) - Expand

cartesio - 2018-10-13 18:25 (UTC) - Expand

pecker - 2018-10-13 18:26 (UTC) - Expand

I dunno. But, there are a couple of other things that are weird too. All that motor oil around but none of it actually went up in flames. Is that stuff even flammable?

Huh? Well... Gasoline is, so isn't oil too?

Gasoline is far more flammable than motor oil. You’d have to heat it up. The fumes, or vapors created would be flammable however.

I see...! [Niwa looks so impressed!]

Whoever did this may not have known that either. Maybe we should ask all the suspects if they've ever owned a car, hehe.

The liquid itself is not, but the fumes are.

What's that mean?

As the oil evaporates, the vapors releases are flammable. The oil itself however, typically isn’t.

unfashionably - 2018-10-13 18:01 (UTC) - Expand

Motor oil is flammable.

So we just caught it in time or somethin'? I thought that might point at somebody who didn't know their stuff, but guess I was wrong.

It needs a certain temperature before it catches, so if the flames weren't hot enough yet, it's possible it didn't. But that's more of an issue with vehicles, because their parts can reach high temperatures.

carbide - 2018-10-13 18:07 (UTC) - Expand

quickpersuader - 2018-10-13 18:13 (UTC) - Expand

I don't know. Put a knife on the end, run at the guy than back up after he's been stabbed and wait. It could work if they knew where to aim... Still stupid when there's a lot easier stuff around.