A Jinxed Case & Common Goals
Posted on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 5:17pm by Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal & Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin
Edited on on Mon Feb 17th, 2025 @ 9:42pm
1,915 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Office of Johnathan Corwin - Deck 6 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD012 1200 hrs
Since stepping foot on the Artemis Layal had been intentional with her time, trying to through as many tasks as she could without wasting any time. She was the third prosecutor to work the case, and she wasn't about to let that be the cause of any delays. Next on her list was to touch base with defense counsel.
As Layal made her way to Lieutenant Corwin's office, she glanced over at the empty prosecution office. She would settle in there later. She'd been on the move today and would probably just work from her quarters tonight. She found Corwin's office and activated the chime announcing her arrival.
The door chimed as Jonathan had his head down over a pile of several PaDD's. "ENTER!!" he called out "Put the PaDD's at the edge of the desk please and the recordings of the prior dealings with the Cardassian justice system next to me please." He asked without even looking up.
"I wasn't told I needed to bring gifts. I'm sorry, I came empty handed," Layal replied an amused expression on her face as she held out her open hands as proof that she wasn't carrying anything with her.
He look up at the sound of the voice. "You're not the Yeoman I sent for." He stood up looking slightly embarrassed. " Forgive me Commander, I thought you were someone else, May I get you something to drink? And what can I do to assist you?"
"No need to apologize," Layal responded with a wave of her hand. "I don't need anything I just thought we should get acquainted. And please, call me Layal. Professionally, I think ranks among attorneys in the courtroom can give defendants the wrong impression. There I think it makes sense we refer to each other as Ms. Corin and Mr. Corwin unless you have another prefix you prefer?"
"Mister and Miss work just fine for me. So what would you like to know about myself in general? Not many people go into Starfleet to become a lawyer, they think everyone has to be an explorer to be out on the frontier, But where there are people there has to be laws to govern them by and for the fair treatment of all lifeforms. Can't have one without the other. "
"So why did you become a lawyer?" Layal asked, helping herself to one of the guest chairs. She hadn't meant for it to be a lengthy visit, but understanding the defense attorney could help them both to a faster resolution on the case.
Jonathan thought a moment. "I could give you the same old worn out excuse that most would. Because of justice, Blah blah, blah.... The answer is more complex then that. The main reason is because I want to be able to make a difference in peoples lives and everyone deserves to be given a fair chance under the law and to be heard. That and all the males of the Corwin family have been Lawyers and Judges for a very long time now."
Layal studied the man as he gave his answer, taking careful note of the twofold response - family tradition seemed to be as much of a reason as he was here as any. If not the reason. She made a mental note to take a look into his family when she had a spare moment.
She simply nodded coolly, "No good prosecutor would ever argue with a defense attorney that everyone deserves a fair chance under the law," Layal agreed. "Which begs the question. How are you best going to make sure that happens here? Does Gamcet know about his medical condition yet?"
Jonathan blinked several times. Excuse me? Medical condition? I haven't received an copies of the medical or psychological report as of yet. " He typed in an inquiry on his computer and saved it to his PaDD. "This doesn't look promising. A brain tumor? This is the first thing I'm hearing about it. So no I haven't told Gul Vamcet about it as of yet. You and I both have our duties to preform. You to try and myself to defend my client. I have a moral obligation to him as well as a legal one, That and Starfleet has taken on this case to keep the peace between the Bajorans and Cardassian and have it impartial. With this new information I have a fine line to walk with this new development, I have some thinking to do on this."
"The Captain mentioned that the doctor was asked to not let Gamcet know until some of the legal questions had been ironed out. That wouldn't have happened yet, if you're just now looking at it. I only found out when I met the Captain. I gave some general thoughts, but the defense position will be important procedurally moving forward."
Layal furrowed her brow and took a brief look around the office. "So, what have you been doing?" On the case, I mean?" She asked. "You're up to speed with everything else?"
"Yes I am up to speed as you say on everything else. " Stated Jonathan. "As for what I have been doing with my time? "I point to several piles of PaDD's. " This stack is Bajoran law that I have been memorizing for the upcoming case. This stack if all of the police reports, witness statements, and testimonies. And this last stack is all of the facts and known evidence involved in this case, and what little time I have to spare is divided between getting some food and sleep. "
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that," Layal said quickly and somewhat apologetically. "I was gauging if you would have been close to talking about plea negotiations at all. You know, other than this recent development. The way I see it, from a defense perspective whether or not you want to allege any kind of fitness, sanity, or incompetency really cuts both ways."
She continued. "If he was insane or suffering from a personality disorder when he committed the crimes, and this tumor has somehow resolved that and given him empathy and remorse - that might be your best argument. It doesn't cut against his potential for future dangerousness though. I'd come after you hard for that," she stated. "If you try to get the confession suppressed because he wouldn't have talked but for the tumor, then you lose your insanity defense."
Layal shook her head. "Either way, I don't see this as a triable case for the defense. Maybe some hearings on what we just talked about to iron out some details. Probably some further medical evaluations - maybe someone chosen by you. And then either we have an agreement or he throws himself at the mercy of the court."
Jonathan sits and thinks for a moment. "We also have other problems as well. If Vamcet is found guilty, then the Bajorans will want their pound of flesh and have a public execution of him to appease they're people. The Cardassians won't take that sitting down and demand his return for they can do it themselves. In return the Bajorans won't accept that as they wouldn't believe the Cardassians would carry out the sentence and I have to think about what is best for my client. The only way I can think to keep him alive is to declare him guilty by reason of insanity. The Federation doesn't execute insane prisoners, So he would have to be put into a long term mental rehab center until we can figure what to do with him. If it wasn't for this tumor we would have never known what really happened."
"It won't matter if he's insane or not, if he stays under Starfleet's jurisdiction there would be no execution. That could be why he came with us," Layal pointed out. "I'm certain he wants something. After you get a chance to talk to him I'd like to touch base."
Jonathan thought a moment. "I agree, He'd be a fool not to want something. I think you're correct in assuming that he wants to live, as it would make sense. I will talk with him and see what can be gleaned from our chat and go from there."
"Makes sense," Layal agreed. "Well, the information I just dropped in your lap was pretty significant, so I'll leave you be so you can follow up on that," Layal said as she stood up. "Feel free to say where you heard it. I'm not hiding anything."
"Thank you Commander Layal, It will make things easier on the both of us if we keep everything above board and in the clear so there is no conflict of interest. I will admit that this is a frustrating case for me. Trying to learn both Bajoran and Cardassian law and apply it to a Federation case to keep things civil between the two cultures involved." Jonathan sat down and rubbed his temples. " This is one case I'll be happy to be done with. "
"You and me both," Layal agreed, though Layal had her own reasons for wanting to dispose of the case quickly and cleanly. "And it's just Layal. Or Commander Corin, if you must. The Bajoran naming system. I know, it gets everyone," she offered with an apologetic tone as she stood up.
"If you do think we might be able to come to terms on anything before court, don't hesitate to reach out," Layal added as she stepped around the chair and made her way towards the door. "I know we'll be working with Bajoran counsel once we get to Bajor. It might help if you and I know what some goals are. Just a thought."
Jonathan thought a moment or two before answering. " If anything comes to mind, then I'll reach out to you and we'll talk more then. " He started to reach for a PaDD and stopped short and looked up again. " It's nice to have someone reasonable to work with Corin, I hope we can work well together to bring justice where it is needed. Your the third Jag Prosecution that I've worked with before the case even started. Made me wonder if this case was jinxed or not. " He stated with a slight grin.
Letting the name thing slide, Layal paused before turning her back to leave. She pursed her lips together slightly. "Yeah, well, I don't know if you're religious or superstitious. It very well could be."
Layal tapped the doorframe with her hand once, before turning to leave. "Touch base with me later."
Jonathan paused a moment. " I do believe in God, But I wouldn't say I'm overly religious. i also believe myself to be reasonable and rational man and not one to give in to superstitions, Be if everything keeps going wrong from the get go I'm going to call it Jinxed. Because I don't know what else to call it to be honest. And I will touch base with you later. " With that said he turns his attention back to the pile of PaDD's before him and starts to study them once again.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Corin Layal
Judge Advocate General, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Jonathan Corwin
Defense Council, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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