The Trial of Publius Sempronius Lucullus

[Pontifex Maximus]

Presiding Magistrate: Severus Caecilius Metellus

Prosecution: Spurius Cilo

Defense: Undetermined

Charges: Mismanagement of the Provinces

Severus' lictors quiet the crowd by hitting the marble floor with staves and waving the fasces. As the crowd settles the proceedings begin with Metellus standing to address the defendant.

"Publius Lucullus, you have been charged with the mismanagement of the province of Sicily and Africa. Your failure to dole out the proper funds to maintain the provinces' standing army caused the desertion of 2,100 men and a cost to the state. Do you have an advocate to plead your case?"

[Sonke]

''No I haven't got an advocate to plead my case.''

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Praetor shifted his weight in his Curule chair and rested his head on his closed fist.

Will you be defending yourself then, Lucullus?

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus walks into the court,

"I will act as defence if you wish Senator Lucullus."

Gnaeus nods to him, he would always defend his business partners reputation as that was the reputation of his business...

[Pontifex Maximus]

Excellent. We will now allow Cilo to take the lead and make his case against Lucllus.

Severus gestured for Cilo to begin

[M D]

Cilo enters, apologising for his lateness..

"When, O Lucullus, do you mean to cease abusing our patience? How long is that madness of yours still to mock us? When is there to be an end of that unbridled audacity of yours, swaggering about as it does now? I have done my research, senator.. I have found out that you have visited almost every senator in Rome who can breathe, perhaps the jury would wonder why these visits were occured. Even to my home, during a festival did you come and ask what punishment I sought. That which was above all things to be desired, O judges, and which above all things was calculated to have the greatest influence towards allaying the unpopularity of your order, and putting an end to the discredit into which your judicial decisions have fallen, appears to have been thrown in your way, and given to you not by any human contrivance, but almost by the interposition of the gods, at a most important crisis of the republic. For an opinion has now become established, pernicious to us, and pernicious to the republic, which has been the common talk of every one, not only at Rome, but among foreign nations also,—that in the courts of law as they exist at present, no wealthy man, however guilty he may be, can possibly be convicted. Do not let Lucullus be the latest in this. And if you come to a decision about this man with severity and a due regard to your oaths, that authority which ought to remain in you will cling to you still; but if that man's vast riches shall break down the sanctity and honesty of the courts of justice, at least I shall achieve this, that it shall be plain that it was rather honest judgment that was wanting to the republic, than a criminal to the judges, or an accuser to the criminal."

The Opening statement finished, Cilo sat.. Letting the thoughts hang in the air

[Dark Storm]

"I would like to object your honour."

James spoke politely to Severus, before turning to Cilo

"I apologise my learned friend, however, is it not customary to begin a trial with an outline of the defendants crimes, alongside with at least some explanation as to the nature of the trial rather than make accusations that are backed by no firm evidence and at this point are entirely superfluous to the trial itself. It is with this in mind that i move to plead with our most honourable presiding magistrate Severus Caecillius Metellus, to disregard my learned friends previpus statement, as fallacy and slander upon my client, due to the personal nature of the speech, which seemed to accuse him of mockery of our beloved republic. Furthermore, i would like to remind my learned friend, that my client has complied fully with the wishes of the court and has only acted within his rights as a citizen in co-operations since the charges have been brought against him. Your opening statement makes a mockery of his current co-operation and furthermore does not pertain any information that could be considered valid."

[M D]

OOC: Actually what your saying is highly irregular, well, if you read any Cicero you'd see that

[Dark Storm]

"If however the Magistrate does not wish to disregard my Learned friends previous statemen, i wish for him to bring in his witnesses too testify that point, of course too make that statement you would have witnesses, wouldn't you Cilo?"

[M D]

Cilo sighs and looks to the Praetor,

"Does Senator Claudius know how a trial in this city works, or does he merely wish to waste all our time.."

[Dark Storm]

"I do not wish too waste anyones time i just wish too know where that conclusion came from Senator."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Enough, the opening statements will be taken into account. Proceed with your defense, Gnaeus. We all know what the charges are and the evidence is publicly known.

[Dark Storm]

"I would like to openly state that my client has fully acknowledged the mistake he has made, and has paid for it, out of his own pocket, not only has he paid for the upkeep of the soldiers but he has also paid the wages of the deserters so that more can be trained in their place. Consul Lucullus made a mistake, one he has rectified, and i am almost glad of his mistake. It has shown us who the true soldiers of Rome are, those that didn't run are true Legionaries, those that did, can not even be considered above dogs, they deserted their republic, and they are unfit to be Legionaries. While Lucullus made a mistake in the end he strengthened the republic by weeding out those who would have brought her down from within."

[Roxas]

The Censor, who was in the audience coughed and muttered under his breath.

"More like the the Republic abandoned it's soldiers..."

OOC: Got bored.

[Lucius Malfoy]

deleted

[Pontifex Maximus]

Does Cilo wish to offer a counterargument?