I Want To Cop A Plea

Posted on Tue Jan 9th, 2018 @ 5:11pm by

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Admiral Huffman's Office

Dawn held her briefcase as she was admitted to Rear Admiral Huffman's office on New Earth. This was the first time she'd met with the judge presiding over the case she was defending, and with the reassignment of Commander Winston to a case of apparent more importance, she didn't even know who opposing counsel was anymore. But, with any sort of luck, she wouldn't need to. Her talks with the Major had given her more than enough ammunition with which to make a deal that would not only keep Lo'Mah alive but could also make her own career. Commander Winters, even Captain Winters sounded just fine to a woman who was the first of her family to go through Starfleet Academy and make more of herself than her cousins, who had remained at lower enlisted ranks. Even Admirals bars might not be out of the question, should the outcome of this work in her favor.

That brought a smile to her face as she walked through the door and came to attention in front of the Admiral's desk and threw a proper salute to him, "Sir, Lieutenant Commander Winters reporting. Thank you for agreeing to see me as quickly as possible."

"Any time. Thankfully I don't have much else to deal with on my docket just yet. A lot of time has been cleared up for this Wellington business but Admiral Marquette has told me she spoke with their Captain... They both want this resolved quickly." Huffman said. "What can I do for you, Commander?"

"I believe that I can make this whole process quick and painless, sir." Dawn sat on the edge of the chair in front of the desk and opened he briefcase, pulling out a PADD and activated it, sliding it to the Admiral. "The charges are fourteen Murder Ones, one Attempted Murder, Treason, Conspiracy to Treason and Malicious Sabotage. To be quite honest, it would be interesting to try this one, but I would like to make a deal." She smiled, "In return for cooperating against the terrorist group known as the Organization, possibly even bringing it down entirely, I would like to propose my client pleading Guilty to One count of Murder in the First, one of Negiligent Homicide and one of Attempted Murder, no death penalty, he does thirty years on the Mars Military Penal facilit after which he is given parole hearings,which if paroled, he spends another thirty years under constant supervision, twice a week with his parole officer. This, of course, to also be accompanied by a dishonorable discharge and loss of all rights an privileges associated with such."

Huffman pondered this for a moment. Certainly the information could be valuable, and it did not deserve to go with Lo'Mah to his grave. They'd been wanting a dent in the Organization for some time now, and he knew this could deliver it. "Are we assured that he will cooperate?" Huffman asked.

"Given that the alternative would be a trial that could end up with him facing a firing squad? Yes, I am confident he will cooperate." She thought for a moment, "If it would please the court, I believe we could insert a performance clause that states specifically that if the Major does not cooperate to his fullest ability that the original charges will be reinstated in full with an exemption made for statute of limitations."

"It would certainly throw the last few weeks of preparations and evidence gathering out the window for everyone. But... This could take months. The material could also be collected and entered into any potential future Board of Inquiry, which brass higher than Admiral Marquette are pressing for. Generally when most of a senior staff gets wiped out... Starfleet wants to know what happened." Huffman said. "But that's for another judge. If it even gets to a Board. I would agree to those terms, and I suspect the prosecutor would as well. There are many compelling arguments to allowing someone like Lo'Mah to provide information."

"The prosecution was remarkably... Hostile when I asked if any sort of deal of any kind was possible." Dawn agreed, "But while the Major may or may not be a part of the conspiracy to kill the senior staff of the Wellington," She had to term it in the unknown, "I believe he can at least provide information that can bring the people who did do that to justice, along with Gul Kasella, who was masquerading as Commander Bowman."

Huffman raised his eyebrow. He'd gotten the impression that they wanted to push this to trial, and while he understood, he felt this was a far better scenario. The Organization had to be halted, if the recent revelations weren't enough to seriously put a dent in its plans. "I will have further discussion with the prosecutor's office. But for now, I can agree to your sentiment. We'd frankly get more out of a Board of Inquiry or at least a pre-investigation to assess its necessity. But as if we have the time for that now."

"No, sir, I don't think we do. And I think if we waffle too far on it, the Dalacari or the Ts'usugi might work to push the issue. But, if you choose to deal,, or if you choose to push to trial, I would prefer to take him to Earth under heavy Starfleet escort. I found something that leads me to believe that the House of T'Leth, which provided forces for the incident with the Cardassians, has a personal oath of vengeance with the Major. Their forces are in a currently unknown location and I would not wish to lose himnin an 'accident.'"

"I will make sure of that. I'll speak with the prosecutor and inform you both once I've come to my decision. That will be all, Commander."

"Thank you, sir." Dawn closed the briefcase again and stood, coming to attention with another proper salute. Then, after a brief wave of response, she turned on her heel and left.

END

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Rear Admiral Russell Huffman
Senior Trial Judge
Starfleet Judge Advocate General Corps


Lieutenant Commander Dawn Winters
Defence Attorney
Starfleet Judge Advocate General Corps