Chapter 34
"Judgment Day"
So, the eight judges went into their chambers to decide on who should be found guilty or not guilty of crimes against Pokemon and humanity. Sitting around a large square table, each of them had five folders of evidence related to each defendant and what they were accused of. For three days and nights, they each carefully looked over the evidence against each defendant and were careful to decide on that defendants fate.
"We are agreed," said Judge Avery. "That four or five votes will be required for the finding of guilt."
"Now if the judgment is less," suggested Judge Russell. "Shouldn't we consider a firing squad for the military defendants?"
"I disagree most strongly," replied Judge Roberts. "The bullet is for the adversary, not for the butchers."
"I say hanging," suggested Judge Biddle. "At the World Trade Center site."
This made everyone stop what they were doing and stare at Judge Biddle with wide eyed expressions. To them, killing the defendants at the former World Trade Center site where 3,000 people were murdered would make the punishment more severe.
"What good will that do, John?" asked Judge Russell.
"It would serve as poetic justice," said Judge Biddle. "Plus, it would be fitting to have the guilty parties be put to death where 3,000 men, women and children were slaughtered. We couldn't do this for Bin Laden, but we will do it for Giovanni."
"Agreed," replied Judge Avery and the other judges. "We will take the defendants in the order they were indicted. First, Sakami."
He banged his hand down on Giovanni's profile while the other judges followed suit and for each time they decided on a verdict they placed the folders into two piles, one for guilt and the other for innocent. By the time that the judges came to John Fuji, the man who helped create Mewtwo, one of the judges was starting to feel sympathetic for him.
"John Fuji is the most tragic figure in my view," said Judge Russell. "It would be a meaningful gesture for us to spare his life."
"The man who created Mewtwo?" remarked Judge Jones. "No, for creating a Pokemon of pure evil with no soul with evil intent, he should hang."
So, on Monday September 5, 2011, which was Labor Day in the United States, the eight judges arrived and when the time came for the verdict, the defendants were brought down to the courtroom for the last time, walking side by side with the soldiers who had escorted them down to the courtroom with their handcuffs on each other. As soon as the judges sat down, the whole courtroom was silenced as Amanda and I stood there with our teams, looking nervous as we awaited the fate of the defendants in question.
"Each defendant will stand as their name is called," said Judge Avery. "To hear the judgment on the five counts applicable to them and the sentence if found guilty on any of the counts."
Now, the tension was beginning to build as we silently prayed for almost all of the defendants to be found guilty.
"The counts numbered one through five are," continued Judge Avery. "Conspiracy to commit aggression; The commission of aggression; Crimes in the conduct of warfare; Crimes against Pokemon and Crime against humanity."
He then turned his attention towards his first defendant and that was Giovanni Sakami himself. Giovanni showed no emotion nor any remorse as the judges sat there seemingly ready to decide the fate of him and his fellow defendants.
"Defendant Giovanni Sakami," said Judge Avery and the leader of Team Rocket rose to his feet to learn his fate. "The tribunal finds you guilty on all five counts and sentences you to death by hanging."
A light murmur feel through the courtroom as the man who led Team Rocket through the War on Terror was sentenced to die. Judge Avery then turned to Archie, the leader of Team Aqua who was wanted for crimes committed against Pokemon and Human on the high seas.
"Admiral Archie Aorgro," continued Judge Avery. "On the charges of conspiracy to commit aggression, the tribunal finds you not guilty, but we find you guilty on counts three, four and five and we here by sentence you to imprisonment for life."
He then turned to Maxie Matsubasa, the leader of Team Magma who was wanted for overseeing his organizations handling of several natural disasters including the Asian Tsunami and the tampering of the levee system in New Orleans.
"Maximillan Matsubasa," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on all five counts, the tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Defendant Cyrus Akagi," said Judge Biddle and the leader of Team Galactic rose to his feet to hear his sentence. "The tribunal finds you guilty on all five counts and sentences you to death by hanging."
"Ghetis Harmonia," continued Judge Biddle as he moved on to the leader of Team Plasma. "Guilty on counts three, four and five, death by hanging."
Now, we were satisfied by what we saw and that four out of the five leaders would be sentenced to die. It was too bad that Archie got life imprisonment, but out of all the leaders, he was the one who mostly committed piracy and thus, deserved to spend the rest of his life in prison. Now, it was time for the executives of the organizations to face judgment, starting with Team Rocket.
"The defendant Mondo Apollo," Judge Jones said as he rose to his feet. "Guilty on counts one and two, the tribunal sentences you to 10 years imprisonment."
"Ariana Athena," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on counts two and three, the tribunal sentences you to 10 years imprisonment."
"Peter Petrel," said Judge Roberts. "The tribunal finds you not guilty on counts one and two. But you have been found guilty on counts three, four and five and sentences you to death by hanging."
"Paul Proton," said Judge Avery. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts four and five. Death by Hanging."
Now, they moved on to the Team Aqua executives whom we were expecting to get a light sentence, but the judges were once again the ones who would be the ones deciding the fate.
"Matthew Ushio," said Judge Avery. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three, four and five. The tribunal sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Shelly Izumi," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on counts four and five, death by hanging."
"Defendant Amber Shiuzu," said Judge Jones. "Guilty on counts three and four, death by hanging."
So, two out of three would be put to death, that wasn't bad on our extent. Now it was time for the Team Magma defendants to face judgment.
"Courtney Kagari," said Judge Jones. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three four and five and sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Thomas Homura," said Judge Roberts. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three and four and sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Blaise Hokage," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on counts three, four and five and we sentence you to 15 years imprisonment."
Well, that was unfortunate; the executives for Team Magma were to spend the rest of their lives in prison while their leader was put to death. Now it was time for the Team Galactic defendants.
"Defendant Melissa Mars," said Judge Avery. "The tribunal finds you guilty on all five counts and sentences you to death by hanging."
"Jessica Jupiter," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on counts two, three, four and five. The tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Samuel Saturn," said Judge Roberts. "Guilty on counts two, three four and five. The tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Christopher Pluto," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on all five counts and the tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
Once all of the Team Galactic defendants were sentenced, Amanda and I shared a victory glance with each other on one group of people who would be heading to the gallows.
Now, it was time for the Team Rocket scientists to face judgment for their crimes. Even before his name was spoken, Dr. Fuji nervously rose to his feet.
"John Fuji," said Judge Biddle. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts four and five and sentences you to death by hanging."
The Team Rocket scientist who was remorseful for his actions slumped in his seat and we couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Nevertheless, however, he created Mewtwo and had to pay somewhat for his crimes.
"James Namba," said Judge Avery. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts four and five and sentences you to death by hanging."
"Joseph Zager," said Judge Biddle. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three, four and five. Death by hanging."
"Sebastian Shimuno," said Judge Roberts. "Guilty on all five counts and the tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
With all of the Team Rocket scientists sentenced, the judges then turned their attention to the Team Rocket agents including Jessie and James. Ash and his friends were also looking keenly on this as Jessie and James were hoping to avoid the death penalty as they had always wanted.
"Butch Yamamoto," said Judge Avery. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three, four and five and sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Cassidy Minamoto," said Judge Biddle. "The tribunal finds you guilty on counts three, four and five and sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Tyson Tatsumi," said Judge Roberts. "The tribunal finds you guilty on all five counts and sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Wendy Gingie," said Judge Jones. "Guilty on counts three, four and five. The tribunal sentences you to life imprisonment."
"Arthur Atilla," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on counts one, two and three. The tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Henry Hun," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on counts one, two and three. The tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Ann Zanner," said Judge Roberts. "Guilty on all five counts. The tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
"Olivia Zanner," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on all five counts and the tribunal sentences you to death by hanging."
As the sentences were nearly completed, our two teams were looking forward to the end of this trial and that we each felt that the swift hand of justice was already coming down.
"Flint Pierce," said Judge Roberts. "Guilty on counts two, three, four and five. The tribunal sentences you to 20 years imprisonment."
"Domino Williams," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on counts four and five. The tribunal sentences you to 10 years imprisonment."
"Victor Vicious," said Judge Biddle. "Guilty on counts three, four and five. The tribunal sentences you to 25 years in prison.
"Mondo Von Shirach," said Judge Avery. "Guilty on counts four and five, 20 years imprisonment."
So far, everything was going along well, but then my flexibility had to kick in with what was said next in regards to the Pokemon Gym Leaders.
"Sabrina Saffron," said Judge Avery and she got up nervously, her lips trembling and her body sweating. "Not Guilty."
Upon hearing those words, Sabrina's eyes welled up with tears and she sat back down sobbing quietly, relieved that she was found not guilty.
"Kevin Koga," said Judge Biddle. "Not Guilty."
"Michael Surge," said Judge Roberts. "Not Guilty."
Now, it was time for Jessie and James to learn of their fates as everyone in the courtroom held their breath in anticipation of their fate.
"Defendants Jessie Musashi and James Kojiro," said Judge Avery and the two agents rose to their feet, trembling in fear much like Sabrina did when her sentence was read.
"The tribunal finds you both not guilty on counts one and two," continued Judge Avery. "But you have both been found guilty on counts three, four and five. Jessie Musashi, James Kojiro, the tribunal sentences you both to 20 years imprisonment."
At that moment, it seemed like a victory and yet it was a loss for Jessie and James as 20 years of their lives would now be spent within the confines of a prison wall. However, it was a victory because they avoided the gallows.
"The work of this tribunal is now complete," said Judge Avery and he banged his gavel ending the long trial.
The trial in Viridian City was over and it was soon time for the executions at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood…