"The Peace Front is less interested in minimizing your sentence than in making the Front look good. Do you realize that?"
He nodded, barely.
"Are you aware of how strong the evidence is against you?"
Again his nod was slight.
"Perfeta Stolz is an excellent attorney. But it is entirely possible that I can get you a lighter sentence than she can. Because leniency would be the entire thrust of my effort, while hers will be on getting the Front as much publicity as possible. Do you understand that also?"
"That's how I want it," he repeated.
She searched his face for some sign of defiance or stoicism, or perhaps nobility-the noble martyr. She found none of them. He looked defeated, his eyes avoiding hers. Not a promising hero for the Front. But Stolz had a reputation as a courtroom psychologist, with skill in preparing her clients.
"Well then," she said, getting to her feet, "my best wishes for a successful trial." However you define success.
Her blessing didn't sound entirely genuine. She was a competitor, a young soul, and didn't think much of surrender.
Arraignment took place in a small closed chamber. Journalists were not allowed, though the attorneys might well find the media waiting in the Justice Building courtyard.
Besides the panel of three judges, the chamber held Joseph Switzer, his counsel, the prosecutor, a bailiff, and two deputies flanking the accused. Switzer looked much better than he had three days past. He wore a business suit, stood straight, and looked not at the floor now, but at the chief justice. Though avoiding eye contact.
Chief Justice Gil Hafiz spoke mildly to him. "For the record," he said, "are you Joseph Steven Switzer?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you been given a copy of the indictment?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you read it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you understand the charges?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Do you wish to speak for yourself, or do you want your defender to speak for you?"
"I want my defender to speak for me."
All three judges turned their eyes to Perfeta Stolz. "Counselor," Hafiz said, "how does the accused plead?"
"Your Honor, as Mr. Switzer's counsel, I move that the indictment be set aside. The shooting took place on Luneburger's World, not on Terra. My client was born on Luneburger's World, grew up there, and has Luneburgian citizenship. Also, the military reservation was not Commonwealth property. And per Commonwealth versus Patel, CE 2781/05/17…" She completed the citation, along with the Supreme Court decision. "Therefore, the accused should be remanded to Luneburger's world, and tried there by the appropriate authorities."
The chief justice glanced at the other judges, who sat attentive and impassive, then he leafed through his notes before looking back at Stolz. "As you know, Counselor, the legal term is `full rights of residency,' not citizenship. And your client had applied for and been granted full rights of Terran residency, with the accountability that accompanies it."
Hafiz cocked an eyebrow at Stolz; she knew her plea had no grounds. She was preparing to play to the public, and within minutes of leaving would be speaking to the cameras. In his view it degraded the law, but within broad limits it was her right. If her client agreed, and if he understood what he'd agreed to. Hafiz was tempted to query the accused, but held his peace. He'd do nothing that could be used as a basis for appeal.
Instead he continued to address Stolz. "Furthermore, at the moment of his injury and death, the victim was an employee of the Commonwealth government engaged in his governmental duties. The person who actually shot the victim was also an employee of the Commonwealth government, who at the time of the shooting was engaged in his governmental duties. Thus per Article 12, Section 3, of the Commonwealth Criminal Code, the crime unquestionably comes under Commonwealth jurisdiction. The murderer, a soldier, pleaded guilty as charged, before a court martial. His plea was accepted, and he has begun his sentence. Thus it is now appropriate for this court to try your client for the crime of contributing to murder."
Stolz stood for a long moment as if disappointed-as if the court's decision was unexpected. Then she spoke again. "In that case, Your Honor, I must request a jury trial for my client."
The judges had expected that, too. Jury trials were infrequent on Terra-three-judge panels were the norm-but in certain classes of crimes they could be granted. The chief justice turned to the prosecutor. "What say you to that, Mr. Prosecutor?"
Hafiz knew the answer to that as well. The Office of the President had sent down a policy that, if requested, jury trials would be granted members of the Front for alleged Crimes of the First Category. Basically Hafiz disliked the policy. As a rule, juries came to the same conclusions as a panel of judges would have, while requiring much more time, expense, and turmoil. But he appreciated the government's situation.
The prosecutor grimaced slightly; such a trial would turn into a Peace Front circus. "If the defense wants it so," he grumped, "we will not object."
"Very well, Counselor," Hafiz said. "Your client shall have a jury trial." She had, he knew, a reputation for being very good in jury trials.
She bobbed an almost bow in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Your Honor. Meanwhile, my client will not come to trial for a week or more. Therefore I respectfully request his release on bond."
The prosecutor's exhalation was more hiss than sigh. Obviously she intended to fight over every proposed juror, eating up all the time possible, and providing a magnet for public attention. A Peace Front circus indeed.
The chief justice smiled slightly. "Counselor, your request is denied."
"On what grounds, Your Honor?"
"On the grounds that whatever the outcome of his trial for contributing to the crime of murder, he will still face charges of inciting to mutiny."
Stolz frowned. "Your Honor, I do not see what that has to do with my request. My client has complied with every order, responded to every request, without resistance." She appeared to grope for words, settling for "He is not a violent man. He decries violence, by persons as well as by governments."
"The trial should cast light on that," Hafiz answered wryly. "It is, of course, possible to contribute to the crime of murder without intending that it go that far. We'll see. Meanwhile, your client stands before this court accused of two Crimes of the First Category. In such cases, the court has full discretion with regard to bail. Mr. Switzer has much reason to fear the outcomes of his trials, and there is an entire social class who would willingly undertake to conceal him or help him flee."
Stolz's features had stiffened. "What social class, if you please, Your Honor?"
"Let me answer it this way, Counselor. Who is paying your fees?"
She answered indignantly. "The Peace Front, Your Honor. The party which more than any other decries this war and all violence."
"Exactly." She plays her role well, he thought, for someone who belongs to the Center Party instead of the Front. He'd respect her more, he told himself, if her first allegiance was to the accused. But there was little she could do for him at any rate, and if the Front wanted to use Switzer for propaganda… He hoped, though, that Switzer really understood what was going on.
She wasn't done yet. "Your Honor, I have one more request. A number of journalists have asked to interview my client." She took a small flat case from her pocket and held it out to him. "I told them to put their requests in writing, and that they might have to agree on one or two doing the interviews for all."