[ WEEK THREE – TRIAL ]

[sheriffexe]

TRIAL

In the morning, the town comes back to life. Birds crow overhead, a snake nearby hisses, a lingering coyote dips behind a shop before disappearing into the wild. It's a frightening contrast to the stillness of yesterday but it doesn't mean it's over yet. After all, today is the trial. The Sheriff stands on the porch of the Town Hall and brings his hand up to his mouth to let out a whistle. He'll thumb back to the Hall behind him and very clearly state -- "Trial time, folks. Get in here and figure out who did it." And then he'll turn to leave before pausing and adding on, "Bring a snack or somethin' too. The Town Hall is set up more like a court house, a Judge's bench at the front but instead of at center, it's off to the side as if more for observation than participation. There's a table at the front of the room already holding a small box and a pad of papers and pen, for voting apparently. A side room containing only a metal gurney is next and today it's obvious why there's a gurney there at all with the corpse, resting right on top of it. Aside from that, there are rows for everyone to take a seat and it's only after everyone is inside and settled, that the doors close and the Sheriff speaks. "Well, have at it. You've got till nine." And then, he points to a clock on the wall that reads 12:00. Good luck. Welcome to the trial post! Characters are free to discuss everything related to the trial here. They won't be let out of the room until 9PM when voting ends. Every character must vote and the voting post can be found here. If there are any questions, please shoot a message to this journal or to robowest.

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Comments

SUBGROUP - Nui's murder

[sidearmofthelaw]

[ Nisha's gonna jump in on this one. ]

So, Nui. She was headshot, probably from a distance, and her corpse was dumped in the chemical vat. Her clothes were also burnt a bit. That means she had to have been by a fire. And it means our culprit was a good shot, whether or not the shot was the killing blow, and it means whoever it was dragged her corpse over to the pit. Am I missing anything?

[thatsthespirit]

[Milla's here too, since she one of three people who heard the gunshot]

She was also killed at or around midnight, based on what Natalie, Yuna and I overheard. Otherwise, that covers everything.

[sidearmofthelaw]

Might be interesting to know if that was before or after Annabeth was burnt... but I'm not sure that's gonna get anywhere. Let's assume the murders all happened independently for now, since we weren't thinking of it like that before.

[thatsthespirit]

Yes, that seems wise. It's what we should have done from the beginning.

[instead of assuming that they were connected somehow. god. she's gonna be mad at herself for that for a while]

[sidearmofthelaw]

So... what do we have to go on other than shooting skills?

[ Nisha considers. ]

The girl wasn't popular, seems like. I bet plenty of people could talk themselves into it being a justified kill. And, way less brutal than the other two. More like a practical job from someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy it.

[thatsthespirit]

Which, I think, makes it far more likely that her murder was by a Bandit.

Someone who didn't want to be one, and was trying to be as merciful as possible while taking out a perceive threat.

[sidearmofthelaw]

If we're talking about someone real excited about taking out potential threats, your friend who got lost in the mines was all over that, but it sounds like he was out of commission.

[ Given that Sei is currently missing a limb. ]

Was there anyone else on board with that?

[thatsthespirit]

[frowns]

Not that I know of, unfortunately. But that doesn't mean someone didn't feel the same way as Seizaburo and just kept silent about it.

[sidearmofthelaw]

Yeah. Seems likely whoever it is is keeping a low profile.

[dmails]

Now that you mention it, his leg was cut off, and Riku was... [also. hacked up.] --Shit, someone should ask him about that.

[sidearmofthelaw]

He got pulled down in the mines. Dunno what happened down there, but you think Riku's killer used that somehow? Or...?

[sweats]

How many people here can shoot a rifle like that? It would require experience. Best to be honest about it too so, well, I can make a shot like that -- but I'm accounted for, so.

[sidearmofthelaw]

I've already said I could do it. I bet Ocelot could've, too, but he's... out of consideration. Dunno about anyone else. Anyone know of anyone with the skills who might not be admitting it?

[a_sin_for_him]

A quick, immediate shot like that, from long range, suggests either a professional or someone who wished to offer a swift, surprise death out of mercy. Or both.

[sidearmofthelaw]

Well, not necessarily the second one. I've shot plenty of people in the head from long range without meaning to be merciful. But it sounds like here they would've had plenty of other options.

[a_sin_for_him]

Still. Simpler shots to make would be just as deadly, if not as immediate, wouldn't they? And compared to the other deaths...

I do think it's worth considering that we may be looking for a skilled killer who's possessed of compassion.

[sidearmofthelaw]

Maybe so. Still doesn't get anywhere until we find people who fit that description, though.

How about Ezio? Isn't he mister mercy-kill?

[a_sin_for_him]

[...Nisha has a point. One Lust doesn't like. She's rather fond of Ezio.]

He does believe in merciful killings, but he's a bladesman, isn't he?

[sidearmofthelaw]

That's all we've seen of 'im so far, but that doesn't mean that's all he can do. Would be nice to have evidence, though.

[a_sin_for_him]

He hasn't been shy or coy about his abilities.

[uraniumnumnum]

[ it's hard to believe all the murders are by different people, honestly. Ash narrows his eyes. ]

Is it possible the three killers were working as a group? This all seems too convenient.

[sidearmofthelaw]

It's possible at least two of them were. Sounds like one volunteered independently. Do you have some idea on how that'll help us figure out who they are?

[ Since that's the important part now. ]

[uraniumnumnum]

If they were killed by separate people, it seems to me like the one who killed the girl in the stocks and the one who killed Nui were working together. It isn't unreasonable to assume that Nui was burned by the fire from the stocks rather than the bonfire - that one is contained, and she already knew about it.

[ he doesn't think she'd just accidentally fall into a fire, though - so someone must have shoved her into it on purpose. ]

I only wonder why she'd be near the restaurant in the first place. It's unfortunate her roommate is dead. [ a beat. ] Then again, killing them both prevents us from getting information out of either. And Annabeth had nobody to watch over her at all. This was planned.

[sidearmofthelaw]

If you've got a theory, spit out names, we don't have a lot of time left.

[uraniumnumnum]

I find Barnham suspicious. And Seizaburo, but he's been injured. Then again, one of the victims was immobilized, wasn't she? Both of them actively speak to and listen to most of the townsfolk, and both of them seem more than willing to kill for justice - or revenge.

[ a shake of his head. ]

... However, there's not enough evidence to conclude anything. I hesitate to even call it a theory. I suppose you humans would call it a "gut reaction."