OK this is why a detroyer cannot be anywhere near the pirate while pirating.
Say the trader had a pair of fighter's as escort. Now the pirate demand's money, and the escort goe's after the pirate. The cruiser can always say i did not help the pirate because i did not shoot at the trader. I only engaged the fighter's. WELL that would be helping/being part of the pirating.
Look in sanction's. Not sure how far back you need to go, but there have been cap's sanctioned for being with pirate's/grouped to pirate's in the past.
I am not saying in this incident the desi did anything wrong, but you can see where the temptation for the desi to jump in and help, or be a fear factor in the pirating.
DO not take me wrong. i do not want to see anyone sanctioned. Was just making some point's.