Law & Order: Leanbox
Guilt Tripped
by Derald Snyder
Part 4- Plutia's Verdict
DISTRICT COURT
TRIAL PART 34
MARCH 15, 10:12 AM
"Detective Crisco," Ian Huntsman addressed Bennie at the witness stand. "Would you please tell the court how Lady Plutia got involved with your operation to bust up the trafficking deal?"
"Well, you could say she's a friend of a friend," Bennie began. "She's friends with former Staff Sergeant Peach Macintosh, who worked with my partner Eddie Green and I on a previous murder case. My partner was checking out the training gym that she and her fiancee were setting up, and Lady Plutia happened to be visiting that day... When she heard about the operation from Eddie, she insisted on joining to help bring down the perps."
"So, just so we're clear," Huntsman said, "Lady Plutia joined out of a desire to help save innocent children, not to just torture people for her own pleasure?"
"That's right," Bennie nodded. "She said, and I quote, 'Anybody who's willing to subject innocent little kids to such horrible fates deserves to get spanked hard,' end quote. She was in HDD when she said that, by the way."
"And did she help or hinder your operation?"
"She was a great help. Sent most of the perps running, and we saved all the children with no casualties on our side."
"Thank you, detective. Nothing further. Your witness, Mr. McCoy," Huntsman said, returning to his bench.
Jared stood up, taking a moment to think as he approached the witness stand. "Detective Crisco... When you saw Lady Plutia's HDD for the first time, what went through your head?"
"Well, I think the first thing that went through my head was 'holy shit, she grew up fast'. The second thing that went through my head was, 'I hope we're not getting in over our heads with her'..."
"And what did you think when she attacked Mr. Gunther?"
"Well, I thought, 'okay, that's maybe a little excessive'. Even the kids thought so," Bennie pointed out.
"I'm sure they did. Nothing further," Jared said, walking back to his bench.
"Redirect, Your Honor?" Huntsman spoke up.
"Go ahead," the judge nodded, Ian promptly walking back up to the stand.
"Detective, I just want to clarify something. Was it only the criminals that my client attacked?"
"Yeah, that's right," Bennie nodded. "Mr. Gunther, and another perp who tried to hold her at gunpoint."
"So did she ever threaten you or any of your colleagues?" Ian pressed.
"Well, there was a young officer who wouldn't stop staring at her HDD form... so she raised her whip and said something along the lines of, 'Don't stare too long, or you might get leather burns.' He backed off, and that was the end of it."
"Well, I suppose we can't blame this young officer for being unable to control his libido... withdrawn," Ian quickly said before Jared could object. "Nothing further." He returned to his bench.
DISTRICT COURT
TRIAL PART 34
MARCH 16, 12:13 PM
"Has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge asked the foreman.
"We have, Your Honor," the NPC responded with a nod.
"The defendant will rise," the judge ordered, Plutia and Ian promptly standing up. "On the sole count of the indictment, aggravated assault in the first degree, how do you find?"
The foreman stated loudly, "We the jury, find the defendant, Lady Plutia of Planeptune..."
NOT GUILTY
The gallery began muttering at this, while Plutia turned to her lawyer. "What does that mean?" she asked.
"Congratulations, Lady Plutia," Huntsman smiled. "You've been cleared of all charges. The jury believes you were in the right when you took down that trafficker Mr. Gunther."
"...Oh." Plutia looked down at this. "Well, I still don't feel right..."
"That's no longer my problem. My work here is done," Huntsman said. "But I can drop you back off at the Basilicom, at least."
"Okay," Plutia agreed...
OFFICE OF
DA ALLEN CURMUDGEON
MARCH 16, 1:01 PM
"Can't say I'm surprised at the verdict," Rizzoli said to Jared and Allen. "I don't think any jury would have wanted to convict a CPU..."
"I didn't like doing that any more than you did," McCoy replied.
"Well, now that that farce is over with," Allen spoke up, "perhaps you can get back to prosecuting the real criminals. How are we doing with Mr. Gunther?"
"He still refuses to testify against the madam," Rizzoli shook her head. "I tried bringing in his mother, but no dice. It almost seems like he views the madam as more of a mother figure than his actual mom..."
"No surprise, if Alicia Gunther sold him for drugs years ago," Jared said bluntly. "While the madam at least puts a roof over his head..."
"...Wait," something occurred to Rizzoli. "Has the madam provided any legal assistance for Mr. Gunther?"
"Not as far as we can tell," Jared responded. "Contrary to what Mr. Gunther thinks, she's probably already cut him loose, just let him rot in prison. Why?"
"I've got an idea," Rizzoli mused. "I just hope she's willing to help us after what just happened..."
"I don't like the sound of this..." Allen grumbled.
*To be continued...*