Meeting the Prosecution

Posted on Sun Dec 10th, 2017 @ 1:07am by

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Doolittle's office
Timeline: current

ON:

"Admiral Doolittle will see you now." the Flag Secretary called from the open door. "Come this way please..."

Winston nodded and followed the secretary, straightening her uniform as she did so. Moments later, she was standing before the Admiral's desk, trying her best to look calm.

Doolittle coolly appraised the younger woman standing before him. She didn't appear to be the type that would do anything rash where her duty as a prosecuting attorney was concerned--and her record in Starfleet didn't bear that out either--but as he well knew, appearances *could* be deceiving.

"At ease, Commander..." he said after a moment. "Have a seat."

Janice sat doen, crossed her legs and sat at ease studying te Admiral.

"I've read your personnel file and I have to admit I'm impressed," he said. "According to your file, you've done quite well for yourself. But in my years in Starfleet, I've found that personnel files don't always tell everything there is to know about a person. That is why I've asked you here. Your list of wins is impressive - but as you well know, we don't always win. Tell me about some of your losses and how you dealt with them." He then sat back and studied the commander, waiting for her response.

"Well sir, I have lost cases in the past and of course, when one usually loses a case, they feel that they failed in prosecuting. But I have learned that with each loss, there is something you have gained. You look back to see where you possibly have gone wrong and you strive not to make tje same error again..I know that sometimes it doesn't always work but you strive to not make the same error twice. It does hurt sir when you lose a case but I have learned you can't always win no matter how you try.

"So you believe there is always the possibility of a no-win scenario?"

"Yes. In law there is always the possibility of a no-win scenario. I have been in two such cases and no matter how hard and how much evidence I had against the defendant, the defense won. I was upset yes but I learned from each experience", she said flatly.

"I'm guessing you at least know the basics of this case concerning one Marine Major Lo'Mah?" he asked. Doolittle wanted to know that she was familiar with the case without being prejudiced one way or the other about it.

" I am very familiar with the case. I have been studying the information and have studied the reports. I will be interviewing several people in connection with the case including engineering. From what I have heard, they have information that is relevant to the case. If the information is concrete and any more evidence that is found that I can use against him, I don't think the defense can poke holes in the prosecution. However, nothing is a sure thing when it comes to the actual court martial", she said calmly.

"You're right about that," Doolittle agreed. "I learned that when I was still a practicing prosecuting attorney. I remember one case in particular right after I made admiral that I thought was an open-and-shut case. Clearly a case of dereliction of duty against a captain who put her ship in a precarious position and wound up getting the ship destroyed. Prosecutor presented the case magnificently but a crafty defense lawyer named Arredondo got her off on a technicality and the captain walked away with a slap on the wrist." He looked at the PADD in front of him for a moment, then back at Winston. "You're going up against a defense attorney named Commander Dawn Summers and from what I hear she's a pretty savvy attorney. You know anything about her?"

"Yes I do know Dawn. She and I butted heads years ago on a few cases. We had a good fight bit four out of five cases, I won based on the evidence and in one, I had the advantage of being able to not only recreate the murder of the crew but I had an engineer who was able to retrieve the entire record from a secondary system that was overlooked by the defendant. Dawn was pissed since she figured she had it won. We are friends yes, but when it comes to work, that is were the friendship stops and we are all business. She is good, I will admit, however, she sometimes gets to over confident and that is where she makes her mistakes. It is something I have learned to look for in her work. When she makes that mistake, I take the initiative and go to work proving my points and case.", she said smartly.

"Sounds like this trial is going to be...interesting...to say the least," Doolittle said. Then, consulting his PADD once again, he continued by asking "Have you been told what the charges against this Major Lo'Mah are going to be?"

"All I know is that he is up for murder and treason. Apart from that, I am sure I will find out from you", she said as she listened to him continue.

"There will actually be five separate charges," he said, reading from the PADD. "Two counts of murder, plus one count each of treason, conspiracy to commit sabotage, and aiding and abetting a known criminal organization. There are paralegals in the JAG office that you can call on for help in any research you need. They will also draft any subpoenas you need to call witnesses. Now, do you have any questions?"

"This criminal organization, I am assuming is this Organization that I have had the misfortune of losing once to. They are a well organized bunch of treasonous people bent on destroying the Federation and for which it stands for. This should prove a good challenge. As for his treason, that I can win with the help of the crew. Sabotage is also going to be some what of a challenge unless the engineering crew along with security tapes can prove he did it. Murder...I know a crack engineer who can pull rabbits out of a hat if I need one. He can find anything that was thought to have been erased from the computer. If I need him I can get him here in two days. I will need to get subpoenas for a few witnesses and records as well. Some people won't be happy testifying but it must be done if I am to do this right. No doubt Dawn will pull out all the stops to prove he was an unwilling participant in this mess, but it is my job to prove he is the guilty party. It just grinds me to think he could have done this and now say other wise", she said.

"As president of the Court, you know of course that I have to remain neutral to this case so I will not voice an opinion as to my belief in his guilt or innocence. I will, however say this..." he spoke slowly and carefully. "Let the evidence speak for itself and let IT prove either guilt or innocence."

"Absolutely! What evidence I can come up with will speak for itself. No fabrication will appear. You have my word on that sir!", she said very assuredly.

"Do you have any other questions or concerns, Commander?"

"No sir, but if I do I know who to come to. Thank you sir", she said, getting up.

"In that case, I'd say we're done here," he responded. "See you in court - and you are dismissed."

Turning on her heel, she quickly left his office and headed for her quarters.

Doolittle watched her leave and shook his head slowly, muttering to himself. "Something tells me there's gonna be one hell of a fight..."

OFF:

RAdmiral J. H. Doolittle (ONPC - Jim)
Judge Advocate General
Starfleet Command

Commander Janice Winston
Prosecuting Attorney
USS Wellington