The Court Martial of Larissa Syndel (Part 2)

Posted on 12/08/2020 @ 11:35pm by Rear Admiral Josiah Rynott & Lieutenant Commander Wilbur Winchester JD & Lieutenant JG Jonah Webster JD & Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel
Edited on on 03/02/2021 @ 6:20pm

Mission: S3E1: Time of Change
Location: Court Room #3, Starfleet Headquarters, Earth
Timeline: Day 90 at 0930

Lieutenant Joral straightened his posture. "As I stated before, Lieutenant Syndel appeared battered, bruised, and not how she normally is aboard the Crazy Horse," replied Jodon. "That was her physical state when we came across her."

"Was she able to walk?" Alex asked.

"Yes," Jodon replied.

"Was she able to communicate with you?"

"She was able to inform us she and the Chief had been taken and that the Chief was missing. So, yes, very much so."

"So when you say that she did not seem how she normally was aboard the Crazy Horse, what exactly did you mean?"

"I mean that the Orion guards had done a number on her," Jodon replied. "She looked like a prisoner, at least the kind that aren't fortunate to end up in a Federation facility."

"Can you be more specific about what you meant by that? Did she have clothing? Was she emaciated? Were there bruises or cuts on her?"

Jodon was nervous, but also becoming a bit agitated with the questioning. It was as though he were being asked the same question over and over. "I believe I stated she looked bruised, tattered, and not like she normally did aboard the Crazy Horse, that she looked like a prisoner."

"At some point, you left with the Defendant. Did she have a phaser on her when you found her?"

"I did not leave her. Once we found her, she was near myself and the others at all times. As I said, I do not remember her having a phaser when we found her. It was unlikely that she did, but she had one when we entered the room where the Chief was deceased."

"Do you know how she obtained a phaser?"

"I can only speculate it was handed to her by one of our security personnel."

"When she had the phaser, did you see the setting that it was set at?"

"No ma'am I did not. It is standard protocol for Federation phasers to be on a stun setting unless the circumstances during a mission call for them to be adjusted to a higher or different setting," replied Jodon.

"And is that trained at the Academy?" Alex asked, knowing the answer.

"Basic training for enlisted personnel, at the Academy for cadets aspiring to be officers, and at the Academy's OTS/OCS extension. So, yes, that is covered at the academy regardless of your pathway into Starfleet."

"Earlier you said that you saw the Defendant increase the setting of the phaser before shooting the guard. Did you see what setting it was on before she increased the setting?"

Jodon shook his head. "No ma'am, I did not. I only saw the lieutenant adjust the phaser setting, but not what it was adjusted to nor from."

"Did you have an opportunity to see the phaser after it was fired?"

"No, ma'am. Normally, I would, but the situation was more complex than that. If you'll indulge me for a few moments longer..." Jodon began. "The Chief's body showed no phaser or disruptor burns, there were no stab wounds. I examined the body, but I am not a medical examiner nor physician; however, it looked suspicious and upon closer examination, there was foaming around the mouth. I suspected a toxin of some sort which I did not know how it could be transmitted if at all, but I had been extremely close to the body. So, lieutenant Syndel was taken into custody on my order and I immediately had the room cleared and the immediate area. I recommended the away team go through an extra measure of decontamination, and I requested a shuttle to extract myself and the body where I chose to place myself and the Chief's remains under quarantine until we were determined not to be a risk to the rest of the ship and crew. So, no...I did not have the opportunity."

Larissa listened to JJ's questioning and thought for a moment before turning to Wilbur. "He was right by me when we entered the room, he would have noticed my phaser was set to stun, the guard not having a hole in his chest yet for a start." She told him. "And I offered him the phaser as soon as he asked for it."

Wilbur looked at Larissa and nodded. "We will cross-examine him. He looks like a cat up high that is reluctant to come down, practically shaking up there. We can shoot holes through his testimony."

Jonah listened in on the conversation, something did seem off on the testimony. "Lieutenant Gallagher is on the list, we will see if his testimony matches up with Lieutenant Joral's," Jonah asserted, his voice in a low whisper as well. He looked over toward Rahmer as if he could sense what she was up to. Of course, he couldn't, but still... the lieutenant commander then continued with her questioning.

Alex continued, "I am going to run the holo of the security cameras at the Auction House. Can you tell me if everything that you see in there is accurate and unaltered, to the best of your recollection?"

Wilbur sprung to his feet "Objection," he said clearly and shot a look at the judge. "security camera evidence? The defense was not made aware of security cameras nor holo footage of the auction house which need I remind the court was not located in Federation space, was not a Federation station, and the 'guard' was not a Federation citizen," defense asserted. "This witness has answered prosecution's questions several times over to points of teetering on badgering.

Rynott raised an eyebrow. "Counsellors," he said the word in a flat, even tone. "Please approach the bench," he commented evenly. "Please explain the discrepancy in evidence?" he said to the prosecution lawyer. "Also gentlemen. This is a Starfleet courtroom... Not a circus."

"Explain the discrepancy?" Alex asked confused. "What discrepancy? All evidence has been provided to the defense. If there is some sort of error that they did not receive the security camera evidence, I cannot explain it. We have hidden nothing. If the defense needs time to review the evidence before proceeding, I have no objection."

Rynott regarded the two counselors before him, he lightly tapped his fingers on the desk before him as he waited for an explanation.

Alex looked at her opposing counsel and wondered at his incompetence, simply waiting for his response.

Wilbur had approached the bench and looked directly at the judge. "Defense has not received this evidence, your honor. We request time to acquire and review said evidence," added Wilbur contemplating a potential motion. "Defense requests a recess," he stated glancing over at the prosecutor with a look to indicate that Wilbur wanted to talk.

Rynott raised an eyebrow. This was a surprise to him and he was not the type who liked surprises. "Very well then. The recess is granted. The court will resume one week from today..." he commented before picking up his gavel and banging it once. "I'd suggest that the two of you go sort this mess out please..." he added in a quiet tone.

A Post by:

Rear Admiral Josiah Rynott
Presiding Judge

Lieutenant Jodon Joral
First Officer
USS Crazy Horse

Lieutenant Commander Wibur Winchester, JD
JAG for the Defense

Lieutenant Commander Alex Rahmer
JAG for the Prosecution

Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel
Prisoner