Author's Notes
To JP-Rider, getting such a finale was partially dependent upon having such a good build-up. I wonder how far we'll be able to take this story.
To shadowyshadow, if you like this, you'll probably enjoy what comes next as my style with Raven mixes with his usage of DC characters in unconventional ways.
To Angel of Azarath, I never left, but I had hit a bit of a roadblock on some of the other stories I was working on. The Demon's Hand is not a real object in the comics - it was a creation of the story's other writer JP-Rider. Raven just always seems to be a target because of her power, her heritage, and her mildly disrespectful attitude - but I think that there will be an ulterior reason revealed later on in the story.
Okay, I've decided that I will post the story two chapters at a time, so I will respond to all reviews for this chapter and chapter 4 in chapter 5's author's notes.
JP-Rider wrote the first, third, fifth, and seventh scenes while I wrote the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth. Just as an FYI.
And also, in a move inspired by JP-Rider (who did it with Beast Boy and the Titans North Girls), I decided to move the story from the Teen Titans category to the Teen Titans/Justice League crossover category.
Now, let's continue the story.
Soon after Raven's arrest, she has been taken into police custody as the Titans arrest Harley Quinn while the Joker's headless body and head are being retrieved to the forensics. Raven couldn't believe that she's going to be interrogated by the police. Will she get the good cop or bad cop like in the movies and television? She was always bad cop, but sometimes good cop when interrogating criminals.
She's inside the interrogation room as she is placed on a chair with an inhibitor collar around her neck. Her friends, the Titans all watch over the two-sided glass mirror. If Raven could have her collar off, she could feel her friends' anxiety. They all feel the same for her; nervousness, guilt, frightened, and hope that she gets out.
It was then the new hand picked Chief of Police, Hogan Grant. Raven inspects the man as he looks more strict and shallow. There is only one detail that made Raven nervous when she saw a cross around his neck.
He was Catholic.
"Alright, Raven Roth, you were pressed charges with the murder of twenty individuals, including both homicides and manslaughter." Chief Grant states as he glares at Raven with daggers "Now young lady, do you confess those charges against you?" he asked.
"Yes, but I wasn't in control of my actions at the time." Raven insisted as she claps her hands together as she twirl her thumbs nervously. Clearly she doesn't like the guy glaring her intensively.
"Do you have an alibi?" the Chief asked her again.
"I don't." Raven told him "I don't actually remember anything, sir."
"Then why don't you remember anything?" he continues to press on, making Raven sweat bullets as she gulps.
"It was the Demon's Hand." Raven told him as the Chief's hand strokes his cross necklace.
"The Demon's Hand?" Grant questions as he made a cold glare towards Raven as he asked "Why does that artifact work, Raven?"
Now Raven gulped as she looks away from the chief. Her heritage was a secret to only her friends know and she will never, ever reveal it to the public. No one but her four friends, and Slade, knew her secret.
"Tell me, Raven." the Chief told her as Raven can feel the intensity coming from the pressing man. It reminded her of Robin, or Slade. "If you don't tell me-"
"Demon." she muttered quickly.
"What was that, Raven?" the Chief demands in a cold whisper that almost can compete with Slade, or her father.
"I'm half-demon! The Demon's Hand controls demons! That's how the Joker controls me!" Raven blurted out as she confesses as she cries.
The Chief looked at her as he gets up and immediately placed handcuffs on Raven "By the state law of California, you are under arrest for 20 counts of homicide and manslaughter, and many accounts of thievery."
The Titans stood and gasped as the Chief brings the handcuffed Raven out of the interrogation room as he handed her over to officer Manson, as she holds onto Raven who lowered her head in shame.
"I'm sorry it has to be this way, but your teammate needs to pay for her crimes." Grant stated as Robin marches towards him.
"Excuse me, Chief, but I would like a request for a bail on Raven." Robin requested in hopes of helping Raven.
"I've already set the bail for 20 million dollars." The Chief responded as he saw Robin's reaction.
"20 million!? Sir, isn't that a little high up!?" Robin frantically asked "She has helped our city along with us, don't you think it's not fair for Raven?"
"I will not give her a free pass since she's a hero for this city. Your friend will have to pay for her crimes, even if she's not in control of it." Grant told him as Robin sighed bitterly. He watched the Titans left the police station with sadness in their eyes.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Point, and please put your hands together for your host, glorious G. Gordon Godfrey!"
Applause rang out in the studio as G. Gordon Godfrey, a middle-aged white man with blond hair and a tailored suit stepped out onto the stage. The smirk on his face was oddly creepy as he emerged, ready for his show. The man greeted, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. How many of you believe that demons are real creatures?"
Nobody in the audience responded to the question. Godfrey continued, "You may think that old Godfrey was crazy for asking that, but I wanted to know how many of think demons are real. Why? Because they are real."
Godfrey walked over to a projector screen and began to explain, "The Teen Titans. Justice League Junior set in Jump City, California." Images pop up of Titans Tower in the horizon. "The members, Robin, the former side-kick of the goddamn Batman and the leader." Audiences give a chuckle as they heard Godfrey swear, with a picture of Robin popping up followed by images of the other Titans as Godfrey introduced them. "Cyborg, an ordinary human badly injured in a laboratory accident, necessitating the addition of machine parts, making him half-robot. Beast Boy, former member of the infamous Doom Patrol, and a shape-shifter. Starfire, an alien princess from a warmonger world."
Godfrey took a pause before finishing, "And lastly, the reason I brought up the demon question, Raven, the mysterious witch of the Titans. Turns out she's not a witch, but a demoness!" The audiences give a considerable gasp as Godfrey continued, "How many of you would trust her now knowing that she is hell's spawn?"
One member of the audience yelled out, "No. I never trusted her, and I never will." Godfrey congratulated, "Bravo! Same here. Now you may be asking why I am bringing this up, well look at Jump City?"
Suddenly, pictures of nineteen people come up on the projector, before a picture of the Joker came up. "These twenty people were all murder victims of Raven. Captain Leslie McCullen, a Jump City police officer. Charlie McCullen, the Captain's wife. Evan McCullen, his son. Janis McCullen, his daughter. Drury Walker, better known as Killer Moth. Kitten Walker, his daughter who was three months pregnant. Frederick DiCaprio, also known as Fang and Kitten's fiancee. Pauline Brady, known to the criminal world as Adonis. Stage magician Mumbo Jumbo. Neil Richards, a former smuggler and another Jump City criminal. Edward Dowd, an auto mechanic. Johnson Ranier, better known as Johnny Rancid. Professor Hao Chang. Malcolm Hodgkins, former Chief of Police. Sam Rufio, father of three and an accountant. Tina Wilder, a nightclub owner. Jessica Kade, Sam Rufio's sister. Quincy Adiles, a retired baliff. Francis Deese, a firefighter. And lastly, Gotham's clown prince of crime, the Joker.
"Now, I have brought two guests here to discuss Raven and what the hell happened to her. So, please welcome stage magician Zatanna Zatara and Professor Emil Hamilton." A female with long black hair and a tailored suit walked in from the right of the stage and an old professor with graying facial hair and a bald head.
The two each took a seat as Godfrey joined them at his desk. He greeted, "Welcome Ms. Zatara, Professor Hamilton."
The doctor replied, "Pleased to be here, Gordon."
Zatanna added, "Nice to appear on The Point."
Godfrey began, "Now, do either of you two know about Raven?"
Zatanna answered, "Yes. She is the daughter of Trigon the Terrible, a Demon Archfiend also known as Scath."
"Scath? Like the Gem of Scath?"
"Raven is the Gem."
Hamilton asked, "Zatanna, are you telling me that one of the Titans was actually a portal for her demon father to conquer everything on Earth?"
"In her defense, Emil, Raven is only half-demon. Her mother was human, and Raven did get rid of him."
Godfrey skeptically added, "So why did she bring him here in the first place?"
Zatanna struggled to maintain her confidence in the face of Godfrey - even the Justice League had problems with his persuasiveness as he cut through any of their arguments. She answered, "It was a prophecy, set in stone ages before any of us were born. Trigon's coming was guaranteed to happen and Raven was just one of the many children he had sired to ensure it happened."
"Why didn't they summon him if she's so squeaky clean then?"
"She was the only one that made it to childhood, let alone adolescence. The others died during infancy or in the womb."
Emil pondered, "You're raising a contradiction, Zatara. If Raven was responsible for Trigon's coming, why did she send him back and also why would she be a Titan?"
Zatanna explained, "Raven wasn't raised on Earth, but in another dimension known as Azarath, where they trained her to suppress her demonic side, which came at the expense of her mind being broken, unable to feel without risking his coming. She was a member of the Teen Titans because she wanted to stop her father, or if that couldn't happen, at least have some sort of karmic credit to make up for what she was born to do."
"You seem to know a lot. How did that happen if you've never met her?"
"I did meet her about four years ago, when Raven first came to Earth. She asked for help from the Justice League to defeat her father. At that time, I was a bit less even-headed and I rejected her before trying to attack her. Now, I realize that it would have been for the best if I advised the League to help her."
However, Dr. Hamilton countered, "No, Zatanna. You did the right thing before. You should have rejected Raven. Your failure was not killing her before she could get away. If I were in your shoes, I'd have her locked away in a cell she could not escape."
Godfrey noted, "Much agreed, Emil. What idiot would think that allowing a demon that is very well the anti-Christ to live?"
Zatanna protested, "And what kind of monster would murder a child before she could be trained to counter her taint? What monster would prejudice her for her parentage rather than her person?"
The host then inquired, "Dr. Hamilton, do you know what Raven will be facing once she is found guilty?"
Zatanna interrupted, "You don't know that. All the 'crimes' she committed were under the control of that monster the Joker, and his death spells a huge relief for the world."
"What makes you think that your argument will persuade the court to let her go? Anyway, Professor?"
The Cadmus scientist explained, "From what I've heard, she's going to be shipped off to prison and never heard from again."
"And isn't that a relief for everyone here? When we return from the commercial break, learn how a cotton shortage will affect clothing prices this year."
After watching the show from the screen, the Titans are now at the Hall of Justice so Batman can talk to them about Raven's trial. Robin had already sent a team to watch over Jump City (Kid Flash, Jinx, Argent, Bushido, and Herald).
"Raven's trial will not be a good one." Robin stated as he and his team minus Raven are at the lounge. Batman stood as he face the Titans sitting on the sofas of the lounge.
"Man, I can see it now," Cyborg spoke as his face showed solemnity "This is going to be another Salem Witch trial, but like the O.J. Simpson trial in the mix, but replace witches with demons."
"As a result of after watching Godfrey's show, viewers will have a considerable opinion on Raven." Batman stated "But her charges will be added more than nineteen counts of first-degree murder and one count for manslaughter."
"How bad are we talking?" Robin asked his former mentor.
"Because of what is revealed in the show, the police have added treason in her charges."
"Treason!? But isn't that a little harsh?" Beast Boy asked frantically.
"The counts added to Raven's charges are four counts of espionage for a dangerous power; one counts for each year she's been here as a Titan. There's also one count of illegal entry since she never have legal permission to enter the United States, and two counts of treason for the murders and opening a portal for Trigon to rule over the earth."
"But she have defeated Trigon and saved the world." Starfire told in Raven's defense.
"The court system's a tough system, Star. No matter what good you did, the law will declare you a criminal anyway." Beast Boy stated as he slumped onto his chair. 'If anyone who should be put on trial for treason, it should be Terra, not Raven.'
"The best case scenario at this point would be that Raven will just be found guilty for Joker's murder only." Batman said "I know there will be people who will be relieved to know that he's dead."
"So when's Raven's trial going to be?" Robin asked.
"Soon." Batman replied to his son "I have already sent a good lawyer for Raven. Either she is declared innocent she might get let off. However, if she's found guilty by the jury, she might get a lower sentence. Ten years to be exact at minimum. But if we're not lucky, she'll get life."
"So all we have to hope that Raven can get off on good behavior." Beast Boy said.
"All we need is for the lawyer to convince the Jury of all the good Raven has done." Robin told his team in reassurance.
After the Titans had left the police station following Raven's arrest, the half-demon was immediately treated like a prisoner, just awaiting her trial. Her uniform had been taken away as evidence in the case and she now wore a black and white striped prison jumpsuit, like the classic outfits worn by chain gangs, in its place. She had her fingerprints placed on record with ink and had her prison identification picture taken. Raven did find it demeaning that she was short - her father was a demon lord and she was smaller than her human mother.
Now, Raven was waiting in one of the prison's interrogation rooms, having been informed there will be a visitor for her any moment. She continously tapped her fingers on the table as her fingers were free, but she was still in handcuffs and her feet had been chained up to the chair, ensuring that she could not run away. Considering she was a Titan, the police had labeled Raven as "extremely dangerous" and taken proper measures, including a power-suppressing collar.
After a minute, she met her visitor, a woman in a regular suit with a tie and skirt. Her skin bordered between white and black and her hair was a dark black with green eyes and glasses. She introduced herself, "Isabel Zavalos. Your attorney." Zavalos slid Raven a business card which read ISABEL ZAVALOS, ATTORNEY WAYNE ENTERPRISES.
Raven asked, "How did you get assigned to me?"
Zavalos replied, "Bruce Wayne was sympathetic to your cause and asked me to be your lawyer. From what I've heard, there aren't a lot of lawyers, if any, who are willing to help you. Hell, well I'm sorry for that pun, but regardless, there are a number of lawyers who are volleying to be the prosecutors. They want to see your head on a silver platter, and this case is all but certain to be unpleasant."
"Unpleasant won't even begin to describe this case. It's an utter shithole. I know my fate has been decided, ever since The Point came on about me, everybody has turned against me. All I have left are the Titans and maybe an ally or two in Justice League but that's all. I'm screwed no matter what. This isn't a trial, it's a sentencing."
"Part of me believes that too. I take it you have heard that the police have added charges beyond the nineteen counts of murder, one count of manslaughter, and eight counts of grand larceny."
"Yes. They've added treason to the charges, as well as espionage and illegal entry. I'm going away for life, I'm sure of it, aren't I, Miss Zavalos?"
"No, that isn't a certainty. But it is a highly probable scenario. Your only chance would be if the jury is in a good mood and they believe the truth."
"Even though I can't use my empathy, I know you know that won't happen. Whose word would they believe? That of an untrustworthy, hated demon freak who saved them for years or the uniformed officers always celebrated? The truth is just going to get buried. All this trial will be is if I should go away to prison because I'm half demon."
"Don't sell yourself short, Raven. You're better than you think you are. Now, we need to get down to business. Because of the level of the charges and your heritage, the jury is probably going to gun for the maximum sentence, which as you said earlier was life."
"You want me to put in a guilty plea?"
"It'd probably help your case, knowing that you pleaded guilty, so the jury may agree to give you a shorter sentence."
Before the two could talk any further, the guards knocked on the door and Zavalos noticed, "Unfortunately, my time is up here."
Raven asked, "Will the next time I see you be when I'm in court?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Hopefully things go our way." The door opened and Zavalos was escorted out of the room and then out of the prison. Then, two more guards came in and proceeded to unchain Raven and then brought her back to her cell, just a simple cot and blanket, a toilet, and a sink. They removed Raven's handcuffs before leaving and locking the door.
Now alone in her cell, Raven climbed up on her bed, curled up, and began to weep silently, knowing that her fate has been sealed. It was only a matter of time before she was escorted to the prison that would hold her for the rest of her life.
In the courthouse of Jump City, where the trial of the State of California vs. Roth was going to be taking place. Raven and Zavalos are now waiting in the courtroom for the trial to start. They have already met with the attorneys who are going to prosecute her, Jack Vernes, and Rita Quinten.
Raven was dressed for the trial rather than her prison uniform. She was in a light blue suit with a matching mid length skirt and blue heels but she is still wearing the inhibitor collar and is still in cuffs.
Later on Raven saw her friends as they attend to join the audience in front row seats. She waved at them as Robin noticed that she barely had any sleep last night. Raven saw the worried looks in their faces as they're going to be the future witnesses for the trial.
It was then the bailiff marches forward as he shouts "All rise!" He shouts as everyone stands up "The State of California vs. Roth, here comes Judge Frollo!" He finish as a old man with a white beard and wears a black robe as he steps towards to his stand.
"Now for today's case," Judge Frollo speaks as he reads the trial with his glasses "ah yes, the State of California vs. Raven Roth, did I say that right dear?" Raven nodded, he seems like a fair judge. "Now please for the defendant stand and the audience sit down." He orders as everyone did as they're told.
"Now according to Ms. Roth's plead, she pleaded guilty for the murder charges, larceny, and illegal entry, but refused to do so for treason and espionage charges." The Judge states as he look at Raven "Is this true, deary?" He asked while staying neutral.
"Yes, I plead guilty for the murder charges, larceny, and illegal entry. But I will not be sentenced for something I don't have any control of." Raven stated with solemn in her voice "I wanted to do some good so I can make up for my other half. I am not proud of being a half-demon, but we all don't pick who my father is, don't we?"
"Well I do have to admit I as well as the rest of the people in the court room can agree with that last statement. However, do you understand what the charges will be young lady?" He asked her.
"I've feared this day since I was born, sir." Raven replied as she sat down just as the judge motions her and her defendant.
Judge Frollo can only give a neutral look as he reply "Well then, let the case begin." He then smash his gavel so the trial can officially begin.
However at the audience, the Titans begins to suspect one more witness, a key witness for this trial. Robin look around as he place his hand on his chin in deep thought.
Where was Harley Quinn?
The trial had been going on for a few hours when Judge Anton Frollo called a recess for lunch. The jury was sequestered away, as was Raven, who was placed in a small holding cell with Zavalos standing outside. At this point in the trial, the prosecution has called forward several police forensic technicians who served to confirm the evidence they found tied Raven to all of the crimes but nothing about the Demon's Hand used to manipulate her. And things weren't looking too well for Raven as they still have more witnesses to call, at least one of whom was a devout Catholic priest as a character witness.
The other Titans, who were denied a visit to see Raven, were waiting in the empty courtroom. They had all been given subpoenas to testify at the trial, but neither side had yet to call any of them up to the stands. It would have to be the character witnesses of the Titans and other residents of Jump City that be the ones who save Raven from the crosshairs of the jury.
Beast Boy asked, "You know, dudes? Have any of you seen Harley Quinn?"
Robin informed him, "From what Batman has told me, Harley's already been shipped back to Gotham for trial. I submitted a plea to have Harley tried in Jump, but I was denied. Odds are that she gets put in prison."
Cyborg added, "Dammit! Harley will just get away scot-free while Raven's going to prison for a long time. She just easily escapes from Arkham, so what will make this any different?"
"Batman and Gordon spoke with the district attorney, who confirmed that Harley has been approved to be tried as mentally sane, and will likely be looking at a prison term in Blackgate's maximum security ward. So, she probably won't be getting a karma houdini. But, they were unable to get the district attorney to allow them to bring Harley here so she could testify. Though, knowing her, she'd almost certainly lie and provoke a guilty reaction for Raven."
Starfire commented, "I do not know about the rest of you, but I think that the prosecutors looked more than hungry for food."
"You're right, Star. I heard that Vernes and Quinten personally requested, if not begged for the job. Raven has more than a few enemies that aren't our rogues. The media is going to have a field day, saying that the heroic Vernes and Quinten successfully put away the bitch in sheep's clothing Raven for the rest of her life. I mean, Zavalos is good, but Vernes and Quinten are just as good, and the two of them together will basically suffocate Raven into a cell."
Beast Boy wondered, "So, what do we do now?"
Cyborg noted, "All we can do is wait. And when it's our time to go up to the stand, we just have to make sure the jury sees Raven in a sympathetic light."
"That's easier said than done, Cy. The prosecutors will try to use Raven's 'unpleasant' personality to force us to reveal our problems with her. We just can't let that happen. We can't perjure ourselves or Raven gets in even more trouble. Besides, she wouldn't want us to risk our own reputations to help her out."
It was another day of trial before the Titans were called up as witnesses.
Cyborg was first as a witness stand as he place his robotic hand on the Bible the bailiff holds as they both raise their hands up.
"Cyborg, do you swear on the truth, the full truth, and nothing but the truth?" the bailiff asked the tin man.
"I swear it on my mother's grave." Cyborg replied as he sits down as Jack Vernes, a sleazy looking man that you see in crime dramas march forward to the big titan.
"So Mr. Borg, or Cyborg, or Cy as they call you.." Verne began.
"Hey, only my friends calls me Cy, not some sleazy attorney." the tin man replied as he narrows at Verne.
Verne ignores the remark but felt nervous around the big guy as he starts "Well Cyborg, what can you tell me about the defendant, Ms. Roth over there?"
"Well she's quiet, very defensive, but she's a good mechanic in my book." Cyborg replied with confident smile.
"Mechanic?" Jack asked.
"She sometimes helps me fix the T-Car, my pride and joy." Cyborg states with a proud smile "She would help me out at the garage after she finish reading her books. Anything else, Vermin?"
"It's Vernes and no further questions." Jack respond in defeat as he couldn't get something from the cybernetic Titan.
"Beast Boy, you have a bit of a history with working with Ms. Roth, don't you?" Jack asked as he stares at the green titan.
"Well yeah, I knew her." Beast Boy replied to the man in question.
"What can you tell us about Ms. Roth's...behavior?" Jack continues to question. If he has done any research thanks to an interview with Control Freak, the changeling has to be the stupid one of the Titans and blabs a lot.
"You know Vermin, it's not nice to badger the witness." Beast Boy states as he morph into a badger and growls at the lawyer, earning a few chuckles from the jury, the audience, and the Titans. Especially Raven who only forms a ghost of a smile.
"Please answer the question Mr...Boy." Jack scolds as the changeling changes back into his normal self.
"Sorry, always wanted to do that." Beast Boy apologizes meekly as he clears his throat "Well about Raven, she has her reasons with her justifiable behavior. She's a bit broken by her fractured emotions and is a caring person. She's really good with kids, ask Melvin and her brothers, they can confirm it."
Jack narrowed his eyes at the changeling as he thought up a trump card for the counter "Well then, is it true that she threatens you to send you to another dimension? Plus I have ask some Jump City civilians that there are evidence of her mildly abusive behavior towards you?"
"It's just the way she is, Vermin." Beast Boy replied simply as he cross his arms. "As for the countless times she hits me, I can take it. I'm a masochist."
Jack made a dumbfounded and baffled expression on his face as his eye twitched "Why do you defend someone who does nothing but belittled you!?" Jack questions the changeling.
"Well what she's done to me doesn't even compared to what happened to my life before I was a Titan and a Doom Patrol." Beast Boy countered.
"Oh please, how can a swell guy like you can have a harder life worse than the accused?" Jack asked smugly.
"I don't think I can tell it to the audience since it's so unpleasant, I'll whisper it to you." Beast Boy replied as Jack leans in so the green titan can whisper in his ear. Everyone saw Jack's expression turning from disgust, to mortified as he then grew pale as he steps back from the smirking changeling.
"No further questions...and I need to sit down." Jack stated as he sits on his seat as he pulled a garbage can as he throws up.
"What can you tell us about Raven, Starfire?" Rita Quinten started as she takes her partner's place to ask the witness.
"Well there is a time where me and friend Raven switched bodies thanks to the Puppet King. I have learned so much about Raven's powers and emotions and we are so alike even if we're opposite." Starfire states. "She can by shy around people. I remembered how she was shy when being around with Aqualad for the first time, and is also shy whenever the Titans have annual parties."
"Why is she so shy?" Rita asked as she just rolled her eyes as she thinks 'Aliens.'
"The reason she is not so opened was the fact that she fears of becoming like her father. She wants to be more peaceful like her mother." Starfire told sadly as she saw Raven nodded her head slowly.
"Alright, bring in Boy Wonder." Rita chipped as Starfire gets up from her seat as she float towards her seat as Robin walks towards his seat as a witness stand as he gives a narrow stare towards Rita, who was nervous around the former sidekick of Batman.
"Now Mr. Robin, what can you tell us about Raven?" Rita asked with a stern look.
Robin gave a deep thought in mind as he sigh and responded "I remembered the time when I thought my greatest enemy returned. I was over the edge, obsessed with capturing Slade. But if it weren't for Raven's mental bond with me I would've died." he said with a warm smile "Raven's been like a little sister to me, to all of the Titans in our tower. She's a good person who's just another victim; she struggles with her heritage and what others thought of her."
"If I recall during the first year of the Teen Titans, Raven has some questionable methods of dealing with criminals, like say Doctor Light?" Rita stated "If I recall, she traumatized the villain to the point of therapy."
Robin sighed as he countered "Raven's methods are similar to mine's and my mentor Batman. She's good at scaring her enemies and if she were in Gotham, she would be a better Robin than me." This earns a couple of laughs from the audience "Though I do admit she may have gone a little far with Dr. Light, but you must remembered that Light does have many counts of rape and sexual assaults, am I right?"
"It's true your honor." Zavalos stated to the Judge "Dr. Light does have a known history of raping a lot of women in the past."
"Hmm, so it is, no further questions, right Ms. Quinten?" Judge Anton Frollo asked the prosecutor.
"No sir, no further questions." Rita muttered as she sits down as Judge Frollo bangs his gavel.
Two more days of court proceedings followed before both sides concluded their case and it was now up to the jury to determine Raven's fate. When the Titans looked at Raven, all they saw was her fear and anxiety eating away at her, her gaunt face as if the trial had prematurely aged her.
It took the jury four hours of deliberation before they returned with a verdict. When the jury returned, Judge Frollo asked, "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
The foreman of the jury, Willow Musgrave, responded, "We have your honor."
The judge dictated, "Will the defendant rise? And will all be quiet until Mrs. Musgrave finishes?"
Raven rose as all the Titans froze, in such tense anxiety, waiting to see if the jury was sympathetic to Raven, or if they had been prejudiced by Raven's heritage.
Musgrave began, "On charges of treason, we find the defendant not guilty." The Titans let out a huge sigh of relief, as one of the more outstanding charges was removed, but there was still a long way to go as she continued, "On charges of espionage, we find the defendant not guilty." Things were starting to look up for Raven.
Until the rest of the verdict flew right in. "On nineteen charges of first degree murder under influence, we find the defendant guilty. On the involuntary manslaughter charge, we find the defendant guilty. On charges of illegal entry into the United States, we find the defendant guilty. On eight charges of grand larceny, we find the defendant guilty. All charges have been accounted for." The Titans were left aghast - the jury did not give Raven the benefit of the doubt on the many crimes she had committed under the Joker's thrall.
Judge Frollo ruled, "For the severity of the crimes the defendant has been found guilty of, and taking into account her guilty plea, I hereby sentence her to ten years to life at Belle Reve Penitentiary in Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisana. This court is adjourned."
If the shock compounding all of the Titans was not big at the moment, it was enormous now. Belle Reve was where the worst of the worst were incarcerated, and now Raven was going to be sent there for the rest of her life!? She was no criminal, she was a hero, and all the other inmates would odds are gang up on her. And without her powers, the Titans doubted Raven would last more than a year at Belle Reve.
The baliff proceeded to grab Raven from her seat and took her away through the rear exit, preparing to send her off to Belle Reve.