Lawsuit Against LN, Cdre.Malaign, and BHG|

[Malaclypse 666]

"Counsels Cutter, Tanner, Murphy and DeVirgo, in my Chambers immediately!"

The courtroom stood in unison as Magistrate Oates rose and walked to a side door near the Bench. The Attorneys for Deaths|, BHG and the Liberty JAG followed the Judge, glancing at each other with confused looks.

"Be seated, gentlemen," said Magistrate Oates, as he opened a folder containing the documents placed into evidence so far.

The elderly Judge went slowly and silently through every piece of evidence, placing them into three separate piles before him. He finally closed the empty folder, and looked at each of the Attorneys in turn.

"First of all, gentlemen, this court will tolerate no further "external" interruptions. All video, audio, and holographic feeds from the Courtroom will be terminated immediately. Anyone leaking information, condoning comments from witnesses or or other extraneous parties without the Court's permission will be cited for Contempt."

The Magistrate then turned to the Deaths' Attorney.

"Mr. Tanner, do you seriously expect this Court to hear and adjudicate charges against two separate organizations within the same Proceedings? Not only is that contrary to any precedent, but it also multiplies exponentially the chance for a mistrail, not to mention confusing the pants off myself and a Jury, should one be deemed necessary." Oates picked up the pile of evidence presented by the Deaths' attorneys and tossed it across his desk to the open-mouthed Tanner. "You will withdraw your case immediately, and refile separate Motions and Charges against each Defendant."

Magistrate Oates then picked up the small stack of material presented by the Bounty Hunters Guild.

"Guildmaster DeVirgo, while I do not question that you do indeed hold a Degree in Law, I do question the propriety of having a Sector Guildmaster presenting the interests of the BHG. While i am declaring the current proceedings as closed, I strongly suggest that the Guild avail itself of Counsel with less possible conflict of interest, Sir. I have no doubt that the Deaths will be refiling their charges against your Member, and if it is assigned to my Court, I will be looking very carefully at any alleged Guild complicity or connections."

Oates finally looked at the JAG Attorney. "Commander Murphy, I do not know this "Jeffrey Keenan, nor his Secretary. What I do know is that they have not been presented as witnesses to this Court, and the statement presented smacks of intimidation. You sir, are the Attorney for Defendants Liberty Navy and Officer Malign. Any witnesses or depositions you wish to present in that Defense will be cleared through the presiding Magistrate at your new Proceedings." The Magistrate held the "relevant" document in his hand a moment before turning and throwing it in a nearby trashcan.

"Now gentlemen, we will all return to the Courtroom together, and you will stand silently and respectfully while I declare this whole shambles dismissed as a Mistrial. Cutter and Tanner, go home and refile separate Motions. And I will want a list of witnesses and corroborating evidence presented along with the filings, so that Attorneys for Defendants will have ample time to review." I do not know which of the two cases will be assigned to my Court, but whichever it may be, I will expect decorum and etiquette at all times."

Moments later, the Magistrate's gavel echoed, and the Courtroom began to empty of spectators, leaving four befuddled Attorneys shuffling papers and punching madly at keypads on their communicators.

Magistrate Oates simply smiled, and tried to decide where he would go for lunch.

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