(WWEU) The Trial of Matthew Lawrence

(Acting under the presumed authority of the Interim Joint Military and Civilian Council of)

REPATRIATED NORTH AMERICA

SPECIAL JOINT ADJUDICATION For The

PROSECUTION And CORRECTION Of WAR CRIMINALS 

Plantiff: People & IJM&CC-RNA (Rep: Nathan Gold)

Defendant: Matthew Albert Lawrence, Human, US Citizen prior to Hilean Imperial Invasion (Rep: 1^st Lt. Lana Petrovik-US Army)

CHARGE(S): Treason (Material Assistance of Enemy in form of Uniformed Service & Weapons Manufacturing), Party to Genocide, Facilitation of Genocide.

 

EVIDENCE ENTERED:

-        800 ‘382-DS’ Automatic Weapons (Built by Def himself)

-  1280 Instances of electronics repair (By Def himself)

-        1300 ‘382-DS’ Automatic Weapons (Built under Def’s authority)

-        2850 ‘382-DS’ Automatic Weapons (Built by Def’s unit)

-        30 ‘346-MC’ Self-Prop Artillery (Built under Def’s authority)

-        90 ‘346-MC’ Self-Prop Artillery (Built by Def’s unit)

-        25 ‘376-MV’ Multi-Rocket Launchers (Built under Def’s authority)

-        60 ‘376-MV’ Multi-Pocket Launchers (Built by Def’s unit)

-        Def’s Rank of HIM/VO:1 2029-2032 (Association w/ criminal org)

-        Def’s Rank of HIM/VO:2 2032-2035 (Association w/ criminal org)

-        Def’s Rank of HIM/VO:3 2035-2037 (Association w/ criminal org)

DEFENSE MOTIONS FILED:

Dismiss (Viol): Geneva Conventions: Dnd

Dismiss (Viol): UCMJ: Dnd

Dismiss (Viol): US Constitution: Dnd

Dismiss (Viol): California State Law: Dnd

Sup-Evid (Irvt): All weapons not constructed by Def himself: Dnd

Sup-Evid (Irvt): All weapons not constructed under Def’s command: Apv

Sup-Evid (NRKn): Various repair work on non-integrated electronics: Apv

Sup-Evid (Irvt): All weapons built or supervised by Def shipped OW: Apv

Sup-Test (Prej): Accounts by Wits facing weapons used against them: Dnd

VERDICT (Delivered by Lt. Col. Antonia Vincentte): It has been a long thirteen years of hard fighting. Much has been lost, and much stands to be lost still if we fail to quickly and decisively secure our world from threats without and within. While its long-term legal authority remains unclear, the acting legislative body of the Interim Joint Military and Civilian Council has ruled that in order to preserve our security and our union; all members of the Imperial war machine and any extension of Imperial rule must be purged from this world. At this time, this court recognizes the Joint Council’s authority as the lawful governing body and, therefore, all arguments regarding case law and precedents, even those regarding the Constitution, are not factors in this case until such a time that the lawful governing body reaffirms such as part of its governing structure. Thus all arguments that this hearing violates the articles of the Geneva Conventions, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, California State Law, and the Constitution of the United States are void and will not be considered. That said, the arguments of evidence, circumstance, and substance retain their right to be heard and considered.

Mister Lawrence, the prosecution and your own testimony affirm that from July 2029 until your surrender on October 16^th 2037, you were an active member of the Hilean Imperial Military performing the functions equivalent to that of what they call a ‘Chelek’, or a task master, directing and certifying the construction and quality of Imperial defensive emplacements and perimeter fortifications. These fortifications, which number in at least one thousand automatic guns, thirty self-propelled heavy cannon, and twenty-five medium-range rocket pods are confirmed to have claimed the lives of over four hundred RNA Army Soldiers, Militia, and Allies dutifully fulfilling their oaths to defend the country and world of which you are a part. This you did knowingly, under the direction of a government currently prosecuting a state of war through means of genocide against same. Under normal circumstances it would be the solemn duty of this court to find you guilty of the treason and crimes against humanity with which you are so charged. However, this court cannot ignore one important detail about your case: you were not a member of the proper Imperial military but, rather, were designated as a Conscript. According to your testimony, the testimony of witnesses, and confirmation by RNA intelligence reports, this service was compulsory; with refusal resulting in certain death.

Furthermore; testimony that you and your command received little food, rest, or compensation, linked with the severity of disciplining to be received if the materiel constructed under your charge failed to meet Imperial standards of quality –including summary executions- in addition to the fact that you never held any state of authority over Hilean military of lesser station leads this court to conclude that your rank and method of service had no status or standing in Imperial society from which to glean any personal or material benefit from. In short: while the weapons whose construction you oversaw or took part in yourself have cost the people of this world dearly, and were used as tools of genocide against humanity; it is clear that you had no choice or reasonable recourse to exclude yourself from participation. Therefore, it is the verdict of this court to find you Not Guilty on the charge of Treason by Material Assistance, Not Guilty of being a Party to Genocide, and Not Guilty to Facilitation of Genocide.

Mister Lawrence, you are free to go. I pray that the public at large will recognize and accept the hopelessness of the circumstances that forced you to serve under the Empire’s flag; that you are no less the victim of the Empire’s rule and welcome you back as a blameless citizen of these great lands.

***

YOU CAN BUY WOUNDED WORLDS HERE