Trial of Caesar Minor

[M D]

Out in the open of the forum, the trial of the son of Julius Caesar is to take place. Charged with conspiracy and treason, he is expected to come and answer for these accusations. The judge is the Praetor, Spirius Octavius Cilo. The jury is composed of equites. The Praetor has not yet arrived, but the prosecution and defence are expected.

[RVFVS]

Lucius arrives, his mother Cornelia, a well respected Pleb of the Cornelii Meteli stock comes with him.

"I have come to answer for my so called "crimes."

[Celsius]

Titus Felix Celatus arrives. Representing the Persecution

[M D]

The silver chair of the Praetor is brought in, and the lictors stand by it.. Cilo enters and sits,

"Right let us not take too long, Lucius Caesar you are charged with treason and conspiracy. Prosecution, please state your case."

He then looked Titus in the eyes,

"And if there is no evidence, I shall ensure personally that you are tried for contempt of court."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Consul Cincinnatus arrives

[MuttonChops]

Numerius' daughter, Octavia arrives. No doubt to inform her father of the results

[molonthegreat]

Senator Quintus arrives.

[Celsius]

"Of Course Praetor."
Titus stood and cleared his throat
"This man, Lucius Caesar, stood outside the Curia, where he read a letter from his father, the Pro-Consul Tiberius Caesar. The letter, in a short sentence, was inciting rebellion against the Republic. Saying Rome is at war with itself, and that the Roman Citizen will win, whatever the cost. Not only this, Lucius added to it by saying and I quote "Now go and do what you know must be done, by ANY means necessary." end quote. This does not sound like a man vying for peaceful solutions, but a man, who like his father, is attempting to destroy the foundations of the Republic and its governing body by inciting the people to rise up and rebel! Several Senators and Senate Officers were present when he said this, and they will tell you that he did indeed say it. There is no denying that Lucius Caesar, and perhaps even the Caesar Dynasty, wish to see the fall of the Republic, so that they may rise up to become the false heroes. This is not acceptable in today's society. Romans are better than this, but not all of us Romans can see through the lies that spout from mouths of the Caesars..."
Titus looked at the Lucius, then sat

[Okmin]

Quaestor Marius arrives.

[M D]

"And Lucius Caesar? what do you have to say, to answer these charges?"

[RVFVS]

"And Lucius Caesar? what do you have to say, to answer these charges?"

Lucius stood.

"I grieve, most honorable Praetor. I grieve for the Republic and it's people. The day when a man cannot speak his mind to the people without being prosecuted...that is the day our free Republic is most truly dead. What did I mean when I said do what must be done? I meant simply this: the people must fight for their rights. If the Tribune does not follow the will of the people, which he most certainly does not as shown by the people destroying his home, he must be kicked out of office! If the Consul speaks against every single popular bill in the Senate he must be removed from office!"

He motioned to the crowds.

"Is violence necessary? No. I did not order the crowd of honorable citizens to kill anyone, rise in rebellion or destroy the state, no. I simply told them they must do what they think is right. This entire prosecution, Your Honor, is a personal vendetta against my father, an honorable man with honorable intentions. A man who at this moment fights for his country."

He looks at the Praetor.

"I hereby ask that you remove this foolish prosecution from the docket for lack of evidence, grounds and abuse of the courts. I also ask you hold Senator Titus Celatus in contempt of court for wasting the time of the court, lack of viable evidence and abuse of the court. I also ask the Senator pay reparations to my father's household for the costs that we had to put toward preparing for this trial. It is an outrage."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus whispered to Titus

Since when has inciting rebellion been a protected freedom? His father should have hired a lawyer...

[M D]

The Praetor chuckles,

"Oh there is more than enough evidence... Perhaps you should have spent some of your money on counsel rather than parties. It is clear you broke the law, and Senator Titus is within his rights to charge you. You are not a senator, nor a ,magistrate and have no reason to meddle with the people. "

Spirius turns to the jury and speaks in hush tones to a senior equate, he then looks back at Caesar

"Due to your age and status, it is obvious this is not your idea, you are merely executing for a much more major player. Therefore I only find you guilty of inciting public violence. The punishment is a fine of 500 Denarii and a bar for you from speaking to public gatherings."

[RVFVS]

The Praetor chuckles,

"Oh there is more than enough evidence... Perhaps you should have spent some of your money on counsel rather than parties. It is clear you broke the law, and Senator Titus is within his rights to charge you. You are not a senator, nor a ,magistrate and have no reason to meddle with the people. "

Spirius turns to the jury and speaks in hush tones to a senior equate, he then looks back at Caesar

"Due to your age and status, it is obvious this is not your idea, you are merely executing for a much more major player. Therefore I only find you guilty of inciting public violence. The punishment is a fine of 500 Denarii and a bar for you from speaking to public gatherings."

"There is no law saying I cannot speak to the people and, as I said, I did not seek to incite violence."

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: the fine is paid to the public treasury

[M D]

"The verdict is said, Caesar. Pay your fine, and do not speak to the public in large gatherings. And yes, I can."

The Praetor left

[RVFVS]

"The verdict is said, Caesar. Pay your fine, and do not speak to the public in large gatherings. And yes, I can."

The Praetor left

Lucius shrugged. He was but one hand of his father, there were many more.

[Celsius]

Titus gathered some scrolls, and left the court.

[Okmin]

Marius leaves.

[molonthegreat]

Quentus shook his head and left, utterly disgusted that reading a message on behalf of ones father was the same as inciting violence these days.