Night's Pardon (25th September)

[brightwitch]

Once in a while, the Night Council review their list of wanted criminals and convicts and decide, whether for political reasons or to save on paperwork, that this list could do with trimming. That time has come around again, and it just happens to coincide with the purge of ex-Circle Midnight witches from the city. Those who suspect no mere coincidence would be right: this was Sylvia's idea. She's aware that there are a minority of witches who sympathise with the plight of Circle Midnight even after they pledged their allegiance to the Islington Nest. And because it is important for leaders to show mercy as well as strength, this is her show of mercy. Even if no Midnight witches are acquitted, she can still say that the offer was made.

And so here it is: the Chamber of Justice, a large circular courtroom in the Night Council headquarters. It looks much like any regular courtroom except that the five Night Council members sit in place of a judge, and there is no jury, only a select audience to watch the pardons being granted. There is no guarantee that any plea will be accepted, only that it will be heard. One by one, the condemned party and their sponsor are invited to come to the stand in order to make their case.

"Step forward." Sylvia waits for both parties to stand before addressing the sponsor. "Please make your statement on behalf of the condemned."

The sponsor is allowed to make an opening statement outlining their case, which must last no longer than five minutes. After that, the Night Council may question either the sponsor or the condemned until they are satisfied that they can reach a decision. The verdict must be unanimous in order for the pardon to be granted.

Comments

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl follows up behind them, keeping a distance. He was there to be called upon as a character witness, but that didn't mean he had any right to stand where they were. Instead, he hung back near the barrier that separated the small audience from those currently petitioning. Arms crossed and fingers curled into the armholes of his vest while he waited to be asked to speak either by Faolan or the Council. They might not even choose to ask him to come forward. So hanging back seemed like a good idea until he was needed.

[brightwitch]

Now this is an interesting case. It's fair to say that all members of the Night Council are intrigued by this one: a convicted murderer, imprisoned for twelve years and then on the run for another year. Sirius Black is notorious among supernatural law enforcement and now here he stands, with a Guardian pleading his case. There are murmurs around the courtroom when Faolan proclaims his innocence. Framed! Surely not. How could such a thing happen?

It's Yasmine who takes the lead now, seeming to uncurl herself from her seat. "Forgive me," she says. "I wasn't on the Night Council so long ago. I think that's true for most of us. But the report made it very clear that Sirius was guilty. Now you're claiming that he was framed. How? What happened?"

Black's story, whatever it is, must be very different to the official report. And while the question of his innocence or guilt doesn't strictly matter to this plea (they could pardon him even if they believe him to be guilty), it would certainly be relevant if there's good reason to believe in his innocence...

[constantprisoner]

Sirius suddenly snaps to attention, realizing that it's his turn to say something. This is his story, and as much as Faolan is speaking up for him, he has to take some responsibility in this. Doesn't make it any less terrifying though. What happens if they don't believe him? There's no time to think about that now, though.

He takes a breath, and a step forward, forcing himself to meet Yasmine's eye.

"It was a Halloween night. I was out with some friends, enjoying ourselves until we received word of the murder. In my shock, I ran to my friend's, the victim's house, mostly because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Of course, when I got there and saw what happened, I suppose I broke a little. That was really the last thing I remember clearly, as when I came to my senses I was in prison. From what I was told, whoever framed me had anticipated my arrival at the house, and placed further evidence to condemn me."

[brightwitch]

It so happens that Sylvia is the only one of the current Night Council who was there for the original trial and she frowns at Sirius' story but keeps quiet for now. She wants to hear the full details before stepping in. So it's Yasmine who continues with the questioning, and though she is inclined to be generous to another shapeshifter (even if he is a dog), she can't help thinking that his story is full of holes.

"If you were with friends when the murder happened, then couldn't they provide an alibi?"

[constantprisoner]

Sirius, admittedly, had been expecting this question. And trying to wrack his brain for an appropriate answer, which had been more difficult than he'd hoped. All he could really remember was how out of it he had been at the trial and was not even sure if his friends had even been there.

"I assume that they would. However, I was not really aware of my surroundings at the trial, and so I honestly can't say if they were there or not. Though not for lack of trying to remember, I assure you."

[brightwitch]

It's now clear that Sirius has nothing to offer by way of a coherent story and so at this point Sylvia decides it is time to step in. She clears her throat, staring at Sirius rather like a headteacher would regard an unruly child.

"I was at that trial, Mr Black, and you provided no alibi. If what you say is true, you have poor friends. Unfortunately it was not the evidence that condemned you, damning though it was. You condemned yourself. The neighbour who discovered the body was there when you returned to the scene of the crime, and he described how wild you were, the way you threatened him. He felt lucky to escape with his life. His testimony describes how he alerted the Night Council as soon as he discovered the crime. He didn't contact anyone else, so there was no way that you could have found out about it, unless of course you yourself were the murderer. That was our conclusion at the original trial, based on the evidence that was presented to us. If you are going to base your plea on your innocence, I would hope to see some real evidence to the contrary."

A garbled story is convincing to no one, not even Yasmine who is the most naturally sympathetic to Sirius's case. She looks disappointed by what they've heard so far.

[constantprisoner]

Sirius could feel his heart sinking. Had he really been that bad? His memory of that night was still hazy and distorted, and not helped by the fact that he had probably spent years turning it over in his head to convince himself. And while he'd been looking for evidence, it's not like he had any to reveal. That only happened on television or movies.

Not knowing what else to say he glances at Faolan and Daryl.

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl met Sirius' gaze, then drifted to Faolan. He didn't know if he should step forward or not. He was there for a specific reason and had yet to be called on. And he didn't want to screw Sirius more by interrupting and speaking out of turn.

[reticence]

Faolan clenches his teeth hard. He will admit, Sirius isn't selling things for himself very well, nor had he done so in the moment of the trial itself for that matter. But he supposes that's where he should come in. He was not there at the original time of the crime itself. But he is here now.

"One of his closest friends had been murdered," Faolan protests. "Would any of you be accountable for your own actions if someone you cared for lay inexplicably dead at your feet? The neighbor was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it's unfortunate that Sirius threatened him, but he should hardly be held accountable for what he might have said at the time. Was there any physical evidence linking the man to the murder?"

He glances between the members of the council. "Was there any further investigation done into the crime itself? I doubt it. Finding a smoking gun at the scene is not the same as proving it is the gun that shot a man, however. It was simply convenient to tie Sirius to the murder and let the whole matter be put out of sight out of mind. And perhaps that was the intention in the first place. A fact which might have been uncovered at the time, if anyone had ever cared to look for the clues."

[brightwitch]

"We are all accountable for our actions, Faolan," Sylvia contradicts him. "Even at such a difficult time. But you're hinting. Do you have any actual evidence to present?"

Really, it had seemed an open and shut case. No further investigation had been carried out because it hadn't been deemed necessary. The case report they have written in their notes seems clear-cut and Sylvia is the only one who remembers the trial itself, the other Council members looking to her as Faolan questions them. Here is a Guardian questioning the integrity of the Night Council at the time, and by extension the integrity of the President.

It's a bold move.

[reticence]

It is a bold move, and Faolan knows that he is toeing the line here. But he also believe in his hunters at Hillingdon, and he believes in justice (and vengeance, for that matter). And Sirius certainly did not receive justice, when he had been accused of such crimes.

He bows his head slightly at her, understanding what it is she is saying and what she is not. "I have no evidence to prove his innocence, no," he confirms. "But there was never any evidence to prove his guilt for that matter either. It was my understanding that the Night Council's pardon might offer him a clean slate, and with your blessing, that is what we request. Sirius will be accountable for his actions from here on, just as any man should. But he is not a murderer. And he deserves the chance to prove himself."

Faolan can only hope that he is making sense. The more he talks, the more he's aware of how this could count against him, the more he questions the Council's judgment, the more danger there is for him personally. He would really rather not wind up a statue for trying to argue his case, even if it was in the name of a good cause.