Trials: Quintus Antonius Pinaria and Herrenius Gerus

[Oznerol]

Two suspects of murdering Drusus hadn't still faced justice, because the term of the previous praetors had ended before they could start the trial of Quintus Antonius Pirania and Herrenius Gerus, both being accused of having killed the steemed senator. Scipio, as the newly-elected praetor was determined to close the case, and presided the trial from his silla curulis, escorted by six lictores and wearing the toga praetexta. He leans forward and with clear voice demands the first subject to be brought to his presence to face trial:

"Bring forth Quintus Antonius Pinaria, accused of senator Drusus' monstrous murder"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Pinaria is brought forth. The man is in chains and looks bedraggled. He had been in confinement since last year when he was implicated in Drusus' murder.

Ooc: any moderator can pick up here

[Oznerol]

"Today Quintus Antonius Pinaria faces trial for the murder against senator Drusus and disrupting the peace of the Res Publica"

Said the praetor,

"How does the accused declare himself?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"I am not guilty." The main maintained "And demand a trial." He saw what happened to the first conspirrator who declared his guilt - almost summary execution. And none of the tribunes had intervened.

[Oznerol]

"As you wish"

The praetor crossed his arms.

"Today we start the trait of Gaius Antonius Pinaria, shall Jove and Janus guide us through it"

He leaned towards a clerk.

"Well, sume up the evidence against the aforementioned man"

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: that's your job

[The Mad Skylord]

A tall man moves into the court. "I am Sextus Julius Iulus. I am here to represent the honourable Senator Quintus Antonius Pinaria." Iulus stalks in and gazes around dispassionately, waiting to hear the evidence.

[Oznerol]

"You?"

Said the praetor with displicence.

"According to the previous subject of trial Carnifex was accused of being behind the murder. Certainly, you appareance here only gives credence to his version, which was so swiftly discarded by the previous praetor"

Maybe we should call the pro-consul and throw him from the Tarpeian rock.

"You may act as his... defendant, if you wish so. Any man may do it"

[The Mad Skylord]

"Perhaps you should, Praetor. However, there is no evidence to support such a theory. Unless you wish to accuse Gaius Furius Sulpicianus as well? For having Ahenobarbus off the Tarpeian Rock for a crime he admitted to committing?"

[Oznerol]

"That's beyond the point. Besides, silence: you weren't allowed to speak yet, nor have you been addressed. This is a court, not a playground"

He gestured for a clerk.

"List the evidence"

He sums up all the evidence, including the witnesses and collaborators who dennounced the senators as the conspirators. Pirania was among those who masterminded the cruel murder of Drusus.

"Our colleagues past year have found ample evidence of his guilt, as you might very well see. Everything stands against the accussed: there is solid evidence of his association with Ahenobarbus, who has already being executed for his crimes"

[The Mad Skylord]

Sextus stood calmly and strutted about the Forum Romanum. He looked at the assembled crowds for a moment, then his client and finally to the judge - the Praetor. He began boldly. "There seems to be much doubt in the evidence, Judge. Lucius Delardius just happened to catch sight of a few men? Pro-Praetor Sulpicianus deigned to pull a few names out of a hat? One of those names happened to confess his guilt?"

Sextus threw his arms up in mockery. "Outstanding detective work! The only man Ahenobarbus - one of the men named by Delardius - named was Gnaeus Julius Iulus! Convenient it would be aimed at such a figure of authority! A man who could not be brought to trial because of his Imperium!

Ahenobarbus named one man! He demanded immunity for a name! He named a man whose guilt could not be confirmed.

He failed, however, to name my client. The only name on the lips of Ahenobarbus was Gnaeus Julius Iulus, not Quintus Antonius Pinaria. What evidence is there? What damning proof exists? I can tell you in a word - none!"

Sextus turns to address the crowd. "There is only one testimony, who heard a few voices and saw a silhouette. My client was not named, and nor was he seen in either plotting or performing the foul murder of Tribune Drusus.

There can be but one conclusion - Quintus Antonius Pinaria is an innocent man."

[Dirty Chai]

OOC: I'll RP Gerus when you get to him

[Oznerol]

"You believe yourself a lawyer now, it seems"

Said the praetor.

"The evidence was provided by my colleagues and praetors past year, questioning the validity of that evidence would mean you are questioning Sulpicianus' hard work past year. That cannot be, your objections are dismissed"

He wavered a hand.

"Marcus Livius Drusus was murdered in cold blood. A man whose objective was to grant citizenship to our Italian allies, his murder led to unrest and a war, where your kinsman Iulus proved his... murderous behavior. Our former consul wasted all the prestige of his victories, but indeed he would have gained much from that war, hadn't he foolishly thrown all away"

He smiled.

"Cui bono? By murdering Drusus, Iulus not only ensured the survival of his senatorial faction but triggered a conflict that was hugely benefitial for him. We know how power-hungry and homicidal he is, certainly he is capable of murdering his foes, we all witnessed that. He surely knew that killing Drusus would led to war, a war he could profit from, both in prestige and economically... Suspicious, to say the least"

[The Mad Skylord]

Sextus looked calmly at the Praetor. "Indeed, the point of trial is to question the gathered evidence. Perhaps you should excuse yourself if you refuse to hear rebuttal.

In addition, you yourself question Pro-Praetor Sulpicianus' efforts by attempting to blame a.man he cleared.

We are not here to try Gnaeus Julius Iulus Carnifex, I doubt the noble Praetor would have brought it up had I not been defending good Senator Pinaria."

Iulus looked calmly to the crowd. "Perhaps he is desperate - having done nothing his whole term he is terrified of censure.

Marcus Livius Drusus was horiffically murdered in cold blood, but there is no evidence to support the theory of the participation of Quintus Antonius Pinaria. To that end, I call Lucius Delardius to the stand, as the sole witness for the prosecution."

[Oznerol]

"Silence, fiend"

Said the praetor.

"The only one who should be fearing censure is your useless kinsman, that war-morgering mongrel. Perhaps we should delve further on how gravely has the butcher mishandled the campaign, a war he might have helped to create by murdering Drusus. But that's not the case today"

Scipio was seething with rage.

"Bring forth Lucius Delardius"

[Rhapture]

Lucius Delardius is brought forth in front of the Praetor

[The Mad Skylord]

"Then call him! I think you will find your authority to do so lacking.

And again, Praetor, I suggest you stop trying to silence the advocate of the defence! "

Sextus turns to the witness. "Lucius Delardius, on the night you refer to during your testimony, did you hear the names of any of the accused?"

[Rhapture]

"It was dark and crowded" The man still seemed in fear. "It was hard to hear"

[The Mad Skylord]

Sextus nodded compassionately. "So you couldn't see him, and you didn't hear his name? So what information did you give Pro-Praetor Sulpicianus that allowed him to make an arrest?"

[Rhapture]

" a description of him. Tall, dark skinned, broad shoulders.. .spoke with a different accent Decimus replied