章 242: Case for Court

"We're here today to report the trial of one David Martinez, an Arasaka Academy dropout and violent Edgerunner with a storied past of offences, and one of the infamous 'Zombie Crew' which are touted as the terrorists who previously attacked the Corpo Plaza and even Las Vegas in the past." the newswoman reports from the City Center outside the Night City Justice Court.

It wasn't just her and her news crew that was there however, a huge group of protesters had also shown up, demanding the criminal's release, that and a fair trial. Such an ask wasn't too inappropriate given the fact that the Justice Court had been gifted to the city by Arasaka itself...

"Now, just what crimes is he being charged with?" the newscaster from the Network News 54 Headquarters.

A moment of delay later and the woman nods, "From what we've been able to tell, Mr Martinez was injured in a firefight that claimed the lives of a dozen or so Maelstrom gangsters, so it is possible he will be charged for them, self-defence or not, but it is ultimately up to the court to decide. He's also been implicated in a string of murders that occurred recently, from the late Allen Karting the Petrochem Business Negotiator, to Severick Unistice the lead engineer for IEC processing and development. The list goes on and on, yet there hasn't been much evidence publically revealed as of yet... For all we know, Mr Martinez may be a free man soon..."

"And what of the protestors? Surely people can't be supporting what I hear is accused of being a mass murderer, terrorist, and violent sociopath?"

"I'm not sure John, most people present appear to be anti-establishment anarchists, but a great many appear just to be here for the spectacle. Mr Martinez is perhaps one of the most famous criminals since Johnny Silverhand or Morgan Blackhand-" she states but freezes as someone runs over and snatches the microphone from her hands.

"FREE MARTINEZ! DEATH TO CORPORATIONS! FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY AND ENSLAVEMENT! DEATH TO ARASAKA-" the man tosses the mic and sprints away as a security team goes to apprehend him.

"Miss Carolina, are you alright?" the caster asks as the woman retrieves her mic.

"Y-yes, just a little startled. It seems among the crowd are also violent thugs..." she shakes her head. "Ah wait, this is them now. The transport for Mr Martinez." she says, prompting the camera to pan over as a heavily armoured truck drives past and approaches the underground entry of the Justice Court.

"MARTINEZ! I LOVE YOU!"

"DON'T LET THEM WIN MARTINEZ! WE SUPPORT YOU! FUCK THE CORPORATIONS!"

"THEY WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS!"

"FUCK ARASAKA!"

"YEAH! FUCK ARASAKA!"

The people begin chanting, forcing the news network to cancel the feed. They could only broadcast anti-Arasaka sentiment for so long before the corporation started asking them questions, or raising their prices on goods...

"Stay tuned folks! The public trial will begin soon, there we'll find up the severity of David Martinez' crimes! Here, at N54 News!"

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Ori and the rest of the crew watch the broadcast of the trial, and surprise, surprise, David's public lawyer was a snivelling piece of shit. He may present himself as on David's side, but it was plain to see he was doing everything possible to implicate him without making it obvious.

"You better hope this goes well." Lucy scowls.

"It's too late to back out now, just trust in the plan.

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"Mr David Martinez, you are being charged with seventy-two counts of murder, twenty-two counts of grand theft auto, ten counts of committing torture, sixteen counts of manslaughter, fifty-two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of terrorism..." the judge pauses and takes a much-needed breath, "One hundred counts of illegal possessing grade five firearm, three counts of possessing Military grade Cyberware, six counts of-"

David jangles his cuffs around, causing the judge to shoot him a glare, "Get to the point, I plead not guilty." he scowls.

The judge adjusts his glasses and nods, "Very well, prosecution make your case." he says before sitting back and looking expectantly at the men sitting opposite him.

-----------------------

"We call to the stand, Mr Tanaka." the prosecution says, calling up what must've been the fifteenth person in the four hours the trial had been going. A grim-looking man stands from the bench and walks up to the witness box.

"Mr Tanaka, do you know Mr Martinez? Do you have any prior experience with him?"

He nods, rubbing his face 'anxiously', "I do. He used to be a student at Arasaka Academy where I used to work. He was a known troublemaker despite his excellent academic performance, always breaking simulations and causing strife in the classroom. Many a time did I have to speak to his mother about his behaviour, that may have been where his grudge against my family first began..."

"Objection! Speculation and not pertaining to the question!" David's lawyer exclaims.

"Sustained." the judge reluctantly grants.

The prosecution just shrugs and continues, "It says here that in April of twenty seventy-six David Martinez was involved in an assault on your son, could you elaborate?"

"Yes, but I believe there is video evidence of it?" Tanaka states.

The prosecution nods, "Indeed, but I'd rather have your version of events before we display it, for context's sake."

"I suppose... I do not know much, but my son was committed to the infirmary with a shattered orbital bone and a sprained neck. I investigated and found that Mr Martinez had randomly and seemingly without reason, attacked my son in the middle of class with the use of a military-grade sandevistan..."

The prosecution turns towards the jury box, "I present article Five five A two B!" he says as a holoprojector brings up the camera recording showing David kicking Katsuo Tanaka out of his seat and then using his Sandevistan to annihilate him with a punch.

David chuckles lightly at it, never having seen the recording before. It honestly brought back good memories, ones in the Academy when his mother was still alive.

"This is clear evidence of the offender's utter disregard for authority! Even now he laughs at the video of him assaulting his classmate! If this is not damning I don't know what is!" the prosecutor exclaims.