[Cult Leader's Trial] Stand accused of cold seduction

[thepull_npc]

Who: A Judge and 12 Jurors, an OPEN gallery of onlookers.
The Defense: (Poor DAs), The Defendant (The Cult Leader known as "The Prophet", Miss Sylvia C. Alcázar)
The Prosecution: Franziska Von Karma (backed by an AGI Legal Team)
Testifying Witnesses: Ciel, Alois, Liquid Snake, Allen Walker, Magneto, Fratley and Veser.
When: Monday, April 4th -

Comments

Fratley

[dancing_pierrot]

This next witness was a police officer; thus, he had been participant in the rescue efforts in the line of duty to his work. While Franziska tended to prefer to have the police testify first in straight-forward cases such as this, the rescue attempts had been so wide-spread that in the end, she had not deemed it necessary. It was a curious thing, however, to behold Officer Fratley in person; while she had thought she had become accustomed to his appearance due to their occasional conversations over the network, his appearance was still somewhat disconcerting. Well, she wouldn't let it put her off her game; after all, while Fratley was among the stranger of the people she had met in the city, he certainly didn't qualify as the strangest.

"The prosecution calls the witness to the stand."

[by_your_leave]

Strange-looking or not, there was a businesslike cadence to Fratley's walk as he made his way to the stand. He wasn't armed, of course, but he was still wearing his police uniform, altered as it was. When he stepped up to the stand, he pulled his hat off.

His hair was considerably shorter than the last time Franziska had seen him, even on the network; one of the Jokerized residents had blasted him with a gun converted to spew chewed-up gun, and his hair had taken the worst of it.

[dancing_pierrot]

On closer inspection, there was something different about Fratley's appearance that Franziska could not quite place; yet, it was not important for now, as she knew the court's reaction to seeing him at all was what would have to be most closely monitored. Well. No better way to start this than the usual questions.

"The witness will state his name and occupation for the court." Although the uniform made the latter more than obvious, especially when juries were involved, Franziska knew better than to rely on assumptions, as sensible as they would be, to direct court proceedings.

[by_your_leave]

This would be the first time Fratley's ever come before a court, and to say he was nervous would be an understatement. It's one thing to know the law in theory, and another in practice. Franziska's voice was almost soothing.

It provided a focus, anyway. Minutely, his shoulders straighten, and he speaks, his voice clear and calm for the court's benefit. "Fratley. An officer of the Siren's Pull Police Department."

[dancing_pierrot]

“Officer Fratley, then,” Franziska continued, leaning forward as she tried to look him in the eyes, “please tell the court what roles and duties your position in this city’s police department entails.” It was a very basic sort of question, but it was necessary to re-establish the role of police offers for the jury, at least, and set up for her next question, which would establish him as a member of the rescue efforts.

[by_your_leave]

Catching his eye was easier than it typically was, given that Fratley didn't have his usual fringe of hair to hide behind. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, but his voice was steady as he answered.

"As an officer of Siren's Port, my duty is the protection of the life and property of the city's residents, primarily by enforcing laws and ordinances. My regular activities consist of patrols and preliminary investigations. I may also be called upon to participate in other operations which require my experience and capacity as a police officer."

[dancing_pierrot]

Now confident that if the jury and observers didn't understand the role of police, they never would, Franziska moved onto her next question -- that was to establish Fratley's relation to the case at hand. "And when did you first come to know about the crimes that took place in this case that is currently under trial?"

aaah sorry for my fail!late; i lost my tag mojo for a while orz

[by_your_leave]

"I first became aware of the cult's criminal activities through the kidnappings that were reported to the precinct, as well as, ah--" He faltered a little. "--those that were accidentally broadcasted to the network." He straightened, ears flicking. "I was also part of the team that sought to find the place where the cult overrode AGI's broadcasting signal." Visible care taken in pronouncing those unfamiliar, technical words.

Don't worry, I didn't get much tagging done this weekend, OH LJ.

[dancing_pierrot]

Franziska indulged in a small nod or two as Fratley gave his testimony. Once he had answered her question, she looked more directly at him then asked, "And did you find it?"