Offical Court of Law v 16: Tyrion Lannister

[Lord of Beyond the Wall]

The defense must remember that we heard testimony from the forensic expert who testified that the woman Shae's strangulation marks are consistent with those that would be made by a dwarf. This places a dwarf in Tywin Lannister's room. We all know that Tywin specifically prevented dwarfs from being allowed in his presence so the only one that would make sense is Tyrion. We must also take into account that Tyrion has 'mysteriously' disappeared right after those two murders.

As to his wife, is the defense referring to Sansa Lannister? She is the only recognized wife of Tyrion. What is a more likely scenario of events is that Tywin came upon Tyrion killing the woman and was forcing into the privy at crossbow point where he was murdered. There is no other explanation as to why anyone would bring a crossbow into the privy.

In this forum is forbidden to call Sansa by her surname not matter that all the others married women are call by the name of the house of their husbands except in the case of Her Majesty Queen Regent Cersei, Lady of Casterly Rock.

[Crowford]

Treason

1. The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:-

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

Not Guilty.

Joffrey Hill was at this point considered the valid King of the Seven Kingdoms by a significant number of Lords of Westeros, enough that the defendant can not be faulted for supporting him as well. Especially since the man in whose stead he served as hand was among those supporting Joffrey Hills' claim, and the defendant can be reasonably expected to trust his father in this matter. What the defendant's private thoughts on the matter were can not be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister;

Guilty

While he was being provoked by the victim, he in no way acted in self-defense. That he specifically sought out his father's chamber makes it clear that this was an outcome he considered, if not outright expected.

Murder

3. The Defendant is charged with five counts of murder:

3.1 Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions;

Guilty

Allar Deem was already sentenced to the wall, which was a punishment that the defendant had any right to pass. However, his assassination on the journey there was a murder without legitimacy by the King's jurisdiction, and it was purely done out of spite without any benefit to the realm or the King.

3.2 Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant;

Dismissed

Tryring to escape from slavery is a valid justification to kill another person. While it might have been done primarily out of a desire for revenge, it can be argued that killing your overseer aids you in escaping and staying free. Therefore, dismissed.

3.3 Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant;

Guilty

Attenuating circumstances apply though, since the victim had previously framed him for murder and it was a crime of passion. He had no reason of suspecting that she would be in his father's chamber, therefore premediation can be ruled out.

3.4 Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions.

Dismissed

The victim was trying to blackmail the defendant to get access to the King's wedding, and was therefore a security risk to the King, his family, his bride, her family, and all others in attendence. While the defendant was at this point no longer acting Hand of the King and therefore did not have the legitimacy to disperse the King's Justice, he was still in service to King Joffery and his Hand Tywin Lannister. The defendant did not act in the way he should have, but since covertly murdering the victim would have been a legitimate political act directed at someone trying to blackmail a member of the King's inner circle, and also his family, this charge is dismissed.

3.5 The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial.

Not guilty

To the best of the defendant's knowledge those men were supporters of Stannis Baratheon, who he could conceivably consider an ursurper plotting against the rightful King. Arresting them was his duty as acting Hand of the King. Everything that happened after that was by Joffrey Hills' decision and can't be blamed on the defendant.

Incitement to Commit Murder

4.. The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale.

Not guilty

The defendant armed the tribals, but this was part of a deal that he brokered when his own life was threatened by said tribals. Also, it's his right to take them into employ, and can't be blamed for what they might do with the payment after that.

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.”

Dismissed

There are no Health and Safety Regulations concerning food products sold in the city of King's Landing. Aside from that, there is no reason to assume that his actions would in any way increase the health risk posed by said "Pots O'Brown". Adding human flesh to the kettle of the owner of this particular venture without his knowledge might constitute a criminal offence, but due to missing legal precedent this charge is dismissed.

Final Verdict

The defendant is found guilty of one count of patricide and two counts of murder, one under attenuating circumstances. The defendant shall be given the choice between exile to the Wall or death by the sword.

The reason for this mild sentence:

The killing of his father, Tywin Lannister, was done after his father played a pivotal part in wrongfully sentencing him to death, and in his final moments Tywin purposely provoked the defendant and ridiculed him for not daring to kill him.

One of the murders was done in a fit of passion, as outlined above.

The other murder was out of a misguided desire to avenge the slaying of an infant the victim commited.

These do not justify the defendant's actions, but prove that none of the killings was committed for personal gain. Therefore his life may be spared.

[Edited for changed verdict and rationale]

[Edited again in regard to Symon, changed from Not Guilty to Dismissed, no change in final verdict]

[Chaircat Meow]

Treason

1. The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:-

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

Serving Joffrey Baratheon (Hill) would not be treason in normal circumstances as there was no publicly accepted proof of his bastard status. However, the defendant said he knew Joffrey was a bastard, although to my knowledge he never heard a confession to that effect. Somewhat reluctantly this juror finds Tyrion Lannister guilty of treason against king Stannis Baratheon, who ought to have been king according to the law. Tyrion took up arms against Stannis to prevent him enforcing his rightful status.

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister;

Guilty.

Murder

3. The Defendant is charged with five counts of murder:

3.1 Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions;

Guilty. Tyrion chose to send him to the wall and have him assassinated on board a ship. It as justice after a fashion but he ought to have had Deem executed according to law.

3.2 Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant;

Not guilty. Tyrion thought this was necessary to escape slavery, something he had every right to attempt, especially as he feared he might be put to death as a slave.

3.3 Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant;

Guilty.

3.4 Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions.

Guilty.

3.5 The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial.

Not Guilty. it was wartime and they were suspected of treachery.

Incitement to Commit Murder

4.. The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale.

Guilty. The lannisters were not even at war with the Vale. This was done purely out of revenge, not military gain.

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.”

Charge dismissed on the grounds of being frivolous (there appear to be no health and safety wrt the bowls o' brown). The defendant is sentenced to be put to death by the sword. Poena Cullei is to be waived on account of the mitigating circumstances in the case of the parricide.

[Jon's Queen Consort]

Treason

1. The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:-

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

Guilty

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister;Guilty

Murder

3. The Defendant is charged with five counts of murder:

3.1 Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions; Guilty

3.2 Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant; Guilty

3.3 Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant; Guilty

3.4 Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions. Guilty

3.5 The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial. Guilty

Incitement to Commit Murder

4.. The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale. Guilty

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.” Guilty

Verdict: Guilty of all charges.

Sentence: Death by hanging (Not so clean and quick).

[The Eyrie]

The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:-

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

Not Guilty. He was doing his job and serving the king who he had recognized. If had not done this then he would have been guilty.

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister; He is guilty of this but should not be charged because he was suffering from battered dwarf/ child syndrome. (like battered wife syndrome)

Murder

3. The Defendant is charged with five counts of murder:

3.1 Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions; Guilty

3.2 Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant; Guilty in slavers bay but I would think killing a slave trader who had bought you as a slave would be legal in westerose. Not Guilty.

3.3 Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant; Guilty.

3.4 Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions. Guilty

3.5 The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial. Not guilty. It was war and they were the enemy.

Incitement to Commit Murder

4.. The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale. Guilty. He is guilty of some accounts of murder but should not be charged (just because).

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.” Not guilty. It could have been a better form of meat than what they were already receiving. Final verdict: he should serve a prison sentence.

[ImpinAintEasy]

Your Honor, Lords and Ladies of the court, I am here before you to argue the case of one Tyrion Lanister.

The court has stated that the 1rst count of the indictment, treason, will be defered untill a later date. I must strongly object to this rulling as my client had a duty to the small folk of King's Landing, many of whom would have been slaughtered or raped had Stanis' forces taken the city. It may be proven at a later date that one Joffrey so called Baratheon illegally sat the iron throne but at the time he did sit the throne. I therefore respectfully request that the first count be dismissed with prejudice.

Furthermore Lord Lannister was intrical to the strategic and tactical defense of the city. He bravely and ably lead a sortie himself despite being physically handicaped and was greiviously injured. If anything, Lord Lannister acted above and beyond the call of duty and I now present the court with applications for the Iron Star of Valour for his bravery and the Fiery Heart for his wounds.

As stated by my colleague, Jojen Dayne-Reed, charge 3.2, the Murder of Nurse happened outside this court's jurisdiction. I also request this charge be dismissed with predjudice. Charge 3.5, the murder of the Antler men was proven to be committed by Joffrey so called Baratheon and one Varys aka "The Spider" but we will return to him later. For reasons previously stated, 3.5 must also be dismissed with prejudice.

This brings us to charges 3.1, the murder of Allar Deem and 3.4, the murder of Symon aka "Silvertongue." Your honor, the prosecution has failed to produce the bodies of either "victim" and has failed to prove that a crime was even comitted, these are two adults and they could have run to Braavos or Ashai for all we know. I move that these charges be dismissed and completely removed from my clients record.

Now, moving on to counts 2, Patricide and 3.3, the murder of Shae. These are heinous crimes of which there is no evidence that they were comitted by my client. The prosicution has submited some magic mumbo jumbo they call "POV Chapters." These so called "POV Chapters" have been proven unreliable and inadmissable under section 3, paragraph 7 of the King's Landing Code of Justice comonly refered to as the "It Is Known Law." I point to an affidavit of one Baristan Selmy, a knight of impeccable character, in which he states that Varys aka "The Spider" knew the passages of the Red Keep better than any other person who had the opertunity to kill Tywin and Shae that fateful night. Due to lack of evidence and reasonable doubt I request that you find Tyrion Lannister not guilty of these two charges. If the Imp doesn't fit you must acquit.

Your honor, my client fully admits he was lax in his duty keep the food supply safe for the small folk of King's Landing based on the fact that human remains were served in a pot shop that is located in Flea Bottom. However, seeing that there is no way to prove my client had anything to do with those remains finding there way into that stew or whom those remains belonged to and the mitigating circumstances of a city to defend: Tyrion Lannister is prepaired to plead guilty to a lesser form of charge 5.

Verdict: Time Served

whisper: ahhhh Tyrion you were still already found guilty of the murder of Joffrey so called Baratheon and are to be executed on the morrow.....

:uhoh: SHIT! :bang: :leaving:

[Pod The Impaler]

Treason

1. - The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

As to count 1, Treason, the court finds the defendant GUILTY.

Joffrey was no true Baratheon, no true king. The defendant knew this, long before Joffrey was even falsely crowned.

The defendant took a place in the baseborn usurper's high command, engaging in acts of war on behalf of Joffrey and House Lannister, and aiding and abetting all their crimes. This is regardless of whather one believes comand responsibility for such crimes lies with Joffrey Hill or Tywin Lannister. Unlike the common soldier in the Lannister ranks (and ironically, unlike "king" Joffrey), it is not that the defendant simply chose to fight on the wrong side in a war, but rather that the defendant knew without any doubt that it was the wrong side, both technically and morally.

There are many instances where the defendant opposed the false king on moral grounds, and resisted the worst aspects of the Lannister war effort - the court will take this into account during sentencing. As well, the cort shall take into account the fact that he was ultimately tried by this same regime for a charge of treason against it.

However, the fundamental crime remains: service to a cause that was not only evil*, but false - one which tore the realm apart in bloodshed.

*And if any doubt the term "evil", the court invites them to read the prior verdicts regarding Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, and any of their spawn or subordinates.

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

- The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister;

The court notes that in this case, the defendant has essentially rendered a defense of "no contest". He does not deny having done it, and indeed has confessed it to others.

And yet, the court must recognize the nature of the person whom the defendant killed: Tywin Lannister. The defendant rid the realm of the most despicable person since the Night King, a dictator and war criminal who routinely used acts of mass murder, mass rape, arson, starvation, plunder, assassination, and torture as methods of statecraft. As well, the "victim" of this crime used methods that were much the same during peacetime, including enforcing discipline within his own family. Lastly, the defendant was accused of a crime he did not commit (the murder of Joffrey), and thrown into what could only be described as a farcical rigged trial, where losing meant death.

So the court must ultimately decide whether this was some vigilante killing on the defendant's part, or self-defense, or insanity.

The court takes into account the fact that the "victim" of this kinslaying had basically tormented the defendant since birth, destroying any chance of happiness or normalcy the defendant had, and coercing the defendant into partaking in horrendous crimes, the most telling of which was the savage gang rape of the defendant's wife, Tysha. As a result of this constant abuse-dependancy-terror-betrayal cycle, particularly the sudden knowledge of the facts regarding Tysha, can the defendant really be thought of as sane ? Particularly as it relates to the "victim", Tywin Lannister ? The answer is clearly no. Was it inevitable that the defendant would snap, and lash out at his tormentor regardless of those bonds of kinship ? Yes.

Therefore, the court finds the defendant NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY.

Murder

3.1 - Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions;

CHARGE DISMISSED.

The court will not waste its time debating whether a baby-killer being punished by a traitor for carrying out a criminal order qualifies as murder. There is simply no way to state which part of this chain of command was in the right, when the chain of command itself was in the wrong.

3.2 - Murder of Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant;

NOT GUILTY by reason of self-defense.

The defendant was a slave, coerced to serve under threat of death or torture. Slavery being inherently abhorrent, a slave is not to be held legally liable for using the masters' death to break their own chains. They take risk enough of dying in attempting to assert freedom at all.

As well, the defendant was being coerced to work in conditions that were lethal - risk of arbitrary death as punishment or simply for the master's amusement, as well as risk of death by disease if he had stayed.

3.3 - Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant;

NOT GUILTY by reason of temporary insanity. A very tough verdict.

Shae was the defendant's paramour, and also betrayer. She bore false witness against him in court, but also humiliated him in front of hundreds of people, in what can only be termed a provocative act of malice. We do not know if this was her malice or some else's. The court must recognize that her death was an act of rage, but whether that rage was the result of jealousy or as part of the insanity described in charge 2, the court cannot say. That the defendant did kill her is not disputed. The surrounding circumstances create an immense degree reasonable doubt with regard to the defendant's state of mind. "Guilty, but insane" would make more sense.

3.4 - Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions.

NOT GUILTY. Symon Silvertongue was blackmailing the defendant in a manner which threatened harm to the defendant and also would result in the death of Shae, his paramour. (Though considering charge 3.3, this is somewhat ironic.) The defendant ordered him disposed of, but covertly. Being covert was necessary to avoid causing the very problems above, yet also meant an extrajudicial killing.

3.5 - The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial.

CHARGE DISMISSED. The defendant did act within the powers he was given to root out enemies of the regime he served. Espionage during war typically results in summary execution, especially when the plot involves hostile covert action or sabotage (such as opening the gates during a siege). As well, he did not decide the method of their deaths. Anything else about the victims' deaths being unjust is covered under charge 1 - "Treason".

Incitement to Commit Murder

4. - The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale.

CHARGE DISMISSED.

The defendant was at the mercy of those he promised the weapons to, and promised them what he did in order to survive. Yet, they were essentially outlaws, so arming them was certainly incitement and enabled them to do bad things with these arms. However, the defendant had also just been put on trial for his life, for crimes he did not commit. Being falsely accused might make a man think the Vale needed new leadership, and it was the leadership of the Vale he incited these wild men against, not the peasantry.

In light of what is now known about his accuser, Lysa Arryn the court prefers to let the matter drop. Heh.

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. - The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.”

CHARGE DISMISSED.

The court sees no evidence that the afforementioned victim actually ended up in a stewpot, rather than some other fate. Bronn, the defendant's accomplice, has refused to confirm or deny anything that pertains to the victim. There is no physical evidence. Therefore the court cannot decide whether this rumour is merely conjecture, or authenticated collective cannibalism.

SUMMARY:

The court has found that the defendant was GUILTY of Treason, in serving the false king Joffrey while knowing his illegitimacy, and serving the war criminal Tywin Lannister.

The court has also found the defendant NOT GUILTY in regard to his killing of the war criminal Tywin Lannister, and as an associated act, killing his former paramour Shae, but with INSANITY as an extenuating circumstance which merits special court attention. (In fact, when the very issue of Tysha was raised by the court, the defendant began to argue in favour of his own execution.)

The defendant once argued before a court that he is guilty of being a dwarf.

This court contends that if he is to be condemned for anything, it is because he is guilty of being a Lannister.

This court finds that TYRION LANNISTER shall first of all lose his title of "husband", since the first order of business will be the unequivocal annullment of his forced marriage to Sansa Stark. He shall then be named the lord of Casterly Rock.

Then he shall treated to a grand parade, followed by feasting, wenching, and general merriment, for having slain Tywin Lannister.

Finally, as soon as he sobers up, he shall be stripped of land and title, sent to the Wall, and inducted into the Night's Watch.

[MotherMerciless]

Treason

1. The Defendant is charged with one count of treason:-

The Defendant served as acting Hand of the King, and commanded the defence of King’s Landing, on behalf of the baseborn usurper Joffrey Hill, styling himself King Joffrey Baratheon.

Verdict: Innocent

Parricide

2. The Defendant is charged with one count of Parricide

The Defendant murdered his father, Lord Tywin Lannister;

Verdict: Innocent. Defendant is guilty of manslaughter instead

Murder

3. The Defendant is charged with five counts of murder:

3.1 Allar Deem, an officer of the City Guard who was assassinated on his instructions;

Verdict: Innocent

3.2 Nurse, a slave overseer at Meereen, who was poisoned by the Defendant;

Verdict: Innocent

3.3 Shae, a whore, who was strangled by the Defendant;Innocent

Verdict: Innocent. Defendants is guilty of manslaughter instead

3.4 Symon, styling himself “Silvertongue”, who was assassinated on his instructions.

Verdict: Guilty

3.5 The “Antler Men”, alleged supported of Stannis Baratheon, who the Defendant arrested and then handed to the said Joffrey Hill for torture and execution without trial.

Verdict: Innocent

Incitement to Commit Murder

4.. The Defendant armed the tribes living in the Mountains of the Moon, and incited them to attack the Smallfolk of the Vale.

Verdict: Innocent

Breach of Health and Safety Regulations

5. The Defendant arranged for the said Symon “Silvertongue” to be served as food to the Smallfolk of King’s Landing, under the guise of “Pots O’Brown.”

Verdict: Guilty

Sentence: Death by sword, or life in service of The Night's Watch.

[Riptide]

Guilty on all charges bar those that follow:

3.2 Murder of Nurse: dismissed due to the crime of slavery that Nurse committed on the defendant

5. Not guilty due to the already poor quality of Pots O’Brown adding Symon “Silvertongue” to the mix makes a negligible difference.

Sentance: Death by hanging

[SeanF]

The following verdicts have been reached.

1.Treason. Guilty 20, Not Guilty 20, 1 deferral. The Court has therefore failed to reach a verdict.

2. Parricide. Guilty 31, Not Guilty 7. Three jurors substituted a verdict of Manslaughter. The Defendant is therefore found Guilty.

3. Murder.

3.1 Guilty 27, Not Guilty 14.

3.2 Guilty 25, Not Guilty 16.

3.3 Guilty 31, Not Guilty 7. Three jurors substituted a verdict of Manslaughter.

3.4 Guilty 30, Not Guilty 10. One juror substituted a verdict of Manslaughter.

3.5 Guilty 20, Not Guilty 21.

The Defendant is therefore acquitted of one charge of Murder, and found Guilty of four charges of Murder.

4. Incitement to Commit Murder. Guilty 23, Not Guilty 18. The Defendant is therefore found Guilty.

5. Breach of Health and Safety Regulations. Guilty 25, Not Guilty 17. The Defendant is therefore found Not Guilty.

[SeanF]

The Defendant is, in his own words, "a vile little man." He has been found Guilty of one count of Treason, one count of Parricide, four counts of murder, one count of incitement to commit murder, and one count of Breach of Health and Safety Regulations. Whilst the Court acknowledges that the Defendant was subject to severe provocation from both his father, the late Lord Tywin Lannister, and the whore Shae, it remains the fact that a majority of jurors have found him Guilty of Parricide and Murder respectively. This Court has heard testimony that the Defendant (inter alia) “milked his eel” into a bowl of turtle stew eaten by his sister, and filled his uncle’s boots with the excrement of goats, but such allegations do not form part of the charges which have been tried by this Court.

This Court must express its surprise that the Defendant should have been found Guilty of the murder of the slave overseer Nurse. In the view of the Court’s President, this is about as clear-cut a case of self-defence as it is possible for him to envisage. Nonetheless, the verdict must stand. And, the conviction on this charge will make no difference to the overall sentence.

The Defendant has been found Guilty of a series of capital crimes. Sixteen jurors have recommended the immediate execution of the Defendant (two by Poena Cullei, five by hanging, nine by the sword). Twelve jurors have opted for non-capital sentences, and three have chosen to acquit the Defendant of all charges. A further seven jurors have recommended the option of either capital punishment, or induction into the Night’s Watch. As always, this Court will attempt to find a consensus, in the absence of a clear majority in favour of one course of action.

This Court’s verdict is therefore that the Defendant be beheaded by the Sword, such sentence to be suspended upon condition that the Defendant joins the Night’s Watch, and remains a member of that institution for the rest of his natural life.