Chapter 5: A trial and the incarceration
November 27, 1888
The next day, Coolsville was buzzed by the news of Daphne's arrest. The Coolsville Gazette had the following headline:
"ARRESTED!
Daughter of industrial tycoon Blake arrested by sheriff's department, facing 11 counts of murder"
That morning, Shaggy was reading the newspaper and he had came close to rip the newspaper in anger.
"That nut-head Graham! He can't arrest Daphne!" He shouted angrily.
He then calmed down and turned to Scooby as he said, "Oh Lord, Scoob. Like, Daphne's in trouble."
Soon, there was a knock on the door and Shaggy went to answer it. Standing on the other side of the door was Alice Masters, a long time friend of the gang who is now a lawyer and doctor.
"Oh, Shaggy, Scooby!" She said as Shaggy opened the door.
"Alice! Like, what brings you here?" Shaggy asked as he and Alice shared an embrace.
"I heard about Daphne's arrest for the murders, and to tell you the truth, I was rather shocked."
"I know. Deputy Graham arrested her based on circumstantial evidence. I suppose you're here to ask if we'll let you represent her in the trial."
"That's exactly it, Norville." Alice replied, using Shaggy's real name for the first time. For a while, Alice had developed feelings for Shaggy, but he didn't return those feelings and ended up developing feelings for Velma. Despite this, she and Shaggy remained close friends. Secretly, she had also tried to win Fred over, who had helped her on her path to become a lawyer and doctor, but Fred wasn't entertaining the idea of cheating on Daphne.
Soon, the trio met up with Daphne and her parents at her cell, where Alice offered to represent Daphne in the trial, something George and Elizabeth Blake agreed to.
However, after Alice took her leave, as the Blakes, Shaggy and Scooby left the station house, George went over to Shaggy and Scooby.
"Norville, Scooby, I need you two to do me a favour." George said.
"Like, at your service, Mr. Blake." Shaggy replied as Scooby nodded.
"I want you guys to investigate those Ripper murders. My dear Daphne can't be the killer!"
"Well, Scoob and I had our suspicions that the bloody knife was planted at Daphne's room, Mr. Blake. We will hit these cases down and hard and find out who our real killer is." Shaggy said with determination in his voice.
George nodded. "Good. The sooner this is cleared up the better."
He and Elizabeth then turned to leave, but then George turned back and asked, "Norville, I just wanted to ask you something before we part ways."
"Like, go ahead." Shaggy replied.
"Do you love Daphne?"
For a moment, Shaggy was silent, but then he nodded. "Like, Daphne felt like a sister to me, Mr. Blake. Reminded me of the sister I never had."
Shaggy had a sister named Maggie, but she had died years ago during an influenza epidemic in 1870 as an toddler. Daphne was the only person who Shaggy shared the sad news with and helped Shaggy to deal with his loss.
George Blake nodded. "I understand. I just wanted to know, Norville." He then placed his hand on Shaggy's left shoulder and wished him and Scooby luck with their case before taking his leave.
January 29, 1889
During the two months in preparation for Daphne's murder trial, Shaggy and Scooby hit the Ripper Case down and hard.
They questioned witnesses. They questioned the sheriff's investigators, some of whom had a dislike to both the sheriff and Deputy Graham and are happy to lend Shaggy and Scooby a hand. They reviewed the investigation reports and took notes on any inconsistencies. They drew up copies of their own reports and soon had a list of inconsistencies in the original reports.
It was during this time that Scooby noted that the killer seemed to have the skill of a surgeon. However, with dozens of surgeons working in the city, it was difficult to draw up any suspects.
In the meantime, Shaggy and Scooby had offered to testify at Daphne's trial for the defense, but Alice turned them down, saying that she can handle the trial.
During Daphne's murder trial, Shaggy and Scooby were at the courtroom with Daphne's parents and sisters. They were all skeptical of Alice's claims that she could handle the trial on her own without having Shaggy and Scooby added as her witnesses, as she did literally nothing in objecting to the prosecution's statements.
That day, Shaggy, Scooby and the Blakes were at court when the verdict came through. The jury, comprised of all men, found Daphne guilty!
Soon, the judge banged his gavel as the jury found Daphne guilty for murder. He then announced the sentence.
"As a result of committing those horrific crimes, Miss Blake, there is only one penalty that suits as a sentence: The supreme penalty! I sentence you to death!"
Shaggy, Scooby and the Blakes mouths dropped in unison. They were shocked to see Daphne being sentenced to death.
And so, Daphne was shipped to a women's prison, where she awaits her execution that is scheduled to take place in a month.
That is something that isn't good, indeed. Wonder what happens next? Please read and review!