Trinsic, Trammel, Chesapeake (PaxLair Times) – July 25, 2011 – by Ashlynn – A surprising verdict has emerged from the long-awaited trial of Kendrick Morrow, an event full of twists and turns. What progressed as something that more resembled a show trial ended with the infamous mage and artifact dealer being found not guilty by a jury of his peers.
The trial was held in the open air in the square beside the Sons of the Sea in the City of Honour. Benches and other props had been erected in preparation for the event and after everyone had arrived and sat down, it wasn’t long before Commander Foxx appeared with Morrow in tow.
Shackling morrow to a stone column nearby, Foxx proceeded to inform us that he had been tasked with overseeing the trial by the Britannian Provisional Government (that one has now been formed is an interesting fact in itself). He then asked for nine volunteers to serve as members of the jury and after more than nine did so, he selected the jurors himself.
The jurors ultimately selected were: Bon Iver, Mayor Zanku, Elijah Cross, Rivi Ravenwynd, Celestial Knight, Sarberius, Ozog Giantfart, Maintsorc, and Jack the Warder. I have to question as to whether a goblin truly counts as a peer, but Foxx had no objections. It seems Ozog later stepped down and someone else took his place, but there is a little confusion over that.
The charges against Morrow were:
- The kidnapping and attempted murder of Lord Balandar.
- Impeding Royal Guard operations and causing the death of guardsmen.
- Laying siege to the townships of the realm.
Morrow plead not-guilty on all counts so before the trial got underway, Foxx asked for people to provide testimony against Morrow for his crimes. After proceedings began, several stood up to accuse him including Blackheart and Lady Phoenix (who questioned him at length), some even providing physical evidence at points. Ozog also stood up to accuse him of being behind the attacks on Pitmuck.
After being struck by Commander Foxx for not being silent enough, Morrow was then permitted to make his closing statement to the jury which he spent a considerable amount of time doing, replying to questions the jurors had and giving some plausible answers.
Before I go on to speak of the verdict given, I must express my own opinion on the whole affair. Regardless of the guilt of the man (I believe him to be guilty myself), I find the way the investigation and subsequent trial has been handled most shocking. My own moral compass may not always point in the right direction, but our founding monarch was a strong believer in the virtues and stressed the importance of them all, including honesty, justice and compassion. Of the first I have seen plenty, particularly the openly brutal way Foxx has behaved. Of the other two, very little.
Since his capture, Morrow has been dragged out on to the street and publicly tortured infront of a crowd by Commander Foxx (and in the City of Honour of all places). He has been strapped to some arcane device (and none know how it truly works) and had his mind invaded and possibly altered by Lord Balandar. He was struck by Commander Foxx in the middle of the trial and none were permitted to stand up and speak on his behalf. For a government founded on the virtues, some of them seem to be severely lacking. And let us not forget that Commander Foxx has been publicly drunk on duty on more than one occasion.
Still, the most surprising twist of the night was the verdict. While not unanimous, the jury decided in the end that Morrow was not guilty on all charges. Foxx had no choice but to let him go, though still decided to strip him of all lands, titles and property.
While some were pleased, not all were happy with the result, particularly Lady Phoenix who decided that a few stones were to be hurled through the windows of Mayor Zanku’s manor in Nidaros. Ozog on the otherhand feared for his safety and warned several others to be careful in the days ahead believing that Morrow would seek his revenge for their testimony against them at trial.
What precedent this all sets, none can say. The consequences of the trial are equally unclear although if Morrow truly is guilty, there is a powerful mage with malign intentions and no doubt a heart of vengeance at loose. And what of this new provisional government? When will we hear their first official proclamation?