Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Starring:

The German Judge..............David Myszewski
The Defense Lawyer............Bart Brooks
The Prosecuting Lawyer........Michael Buckingham
The Defendant....................Brandon Heller
The Prosecutor...................Tom Smith

(The outcome of this trial is variable and will be decided by an actual jury. The lawyers may call sidebars if they deem it necessary. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge will call for a short recess to decide a sentence in the best interests of justice.)

David:
(Walks in)

All:
(Stand up)

David:
As you were

All:
(Sit down)

David:
I remind you that from here on out everything said is on the record. The prosecution may now proceed.

Michael:
(Stands) From the months of June 12 through August 16, 1944, over 500 Jews were unfairly mistreated and murdered by the defendant, Witold Lutoslawski

David:
Call your first witness to the stand.

Michael:
I will call Tom to the stand.

Tom:
(Walks up to stand and sits down)

Michael:
Have you seen this German soldier before?

Tom:
Yes, I have.

Michael:
Where?

Tom:
At the concentration camps at Auschwitz.

Michael:
Did this man ever beat you or any other Jew for no reason?

Tom:
Yes, he beat many Jews, including myself.

Michael:
What objects did he use to beat you with?

Tom:
Sticks and stones; anything that he could find.

Michael:
In your opinion, were the camps at Auschwitz suited for human life?

Bart:
(Stands) Objection! opinions aren�t relevant to this court. Only facts.

David:
Sustained.

Michael:
But anything related to the camps should --

David:
(Cuts Mike off) This court is only interested in the facts, not one-sided, fictitious statements. We will have no more emotional outbursts from the floor.

Michael:
(Waits a few moments to think) Did you personally witness this man murder any Jews?

Tom:
Three people, including my mother and my sister.

Michael:
So, this man is one of the most savage beasts you have seen in your life?

Tom:
Yes, the worst.

Michael:
The state has no further questions, your honor. (Sits Down)

Bart:
(Stands) The defense wishes to cross-examine the witness in order to prove that the defendant would not and could not create this (short pause) disgrace.

David:
As you wish.

Bart:
You said you had seen this man before?

Tom:
Yes.

Bart:
Than it is to my understanding that you could positively identify each of the soldiers stationed at Auschwitz?

Tom:
Yes.

Bart:
Did the defendant appear to be in charge of all other officers?

Tom:
Yes.

Bart:
Your honor, I offer these forms which clearly shows that Mr. Lutoslawski was not, in fact, in charge of Auschwitz at the time that Tom was in the camp. (Gives forms to David)

David:
(Looks at forms) Understood.

Bart:
For the record, this man is not a credible witness. His testimony should be thrown out as evidence in this trial.

David:
It is noted.

Bart:
(Stands) No further questions, your honor. (Sits)

Michael:
(Stands) No further witnesses, your honor. (Sits)

David:
The defense may now proceed with questioning.

Bart:
(Stands) The defense wishes to call Witold Lutoslawski to the stand.

Brandon:
(Walks up to the stand and sits down)

Bart:
Witold, what happened to your leg?

Brandon:
Tom attacked me.

Bart:
Was this during the time you were in the camp?

Brandon:
Yes.

Bart:
Was this attack provoked?

Brandon:
No.

Bart:
Did you ever injure or attack any Jews?

Brandon:
No.

Bart:
Yet you were attacked by your accuser?

Brandon:
Yes.

Bart:
No further questions. (Sits down)

Michael:
If you were a Jew, would you have attacked a German?

Bart:
Objection; this court is not interested in hypothetical questions.

David:
Sustained.

Michael:
Do you have to follow orders from superior officers?

Brandon:
Yes.

Michael:
Were you or were you not following orders when you killed and mistreated those Jews, including (Tom)�s family?

Bart:
Do not answer the question!

David:
Witold Lutoslawski, you will answer the question.

Brandon:
Yes, I was.

Michael:
No further questions, your honor.

Brandon:
(Sits)

Bart:
(Stands) No further witnesses, your honor. (Sits)

David:
Members of the jury. It is now time to deliberate on the verdict of this trial. You must decide the verdict based solely on the evidence brought up in this trial, not by prejudices or thoughts you may have about the people involved. I trust you will make a correct verdict, in the best interests of justice. When you have decided the verdict, bring it to me. If there are no further questions, you may exit the room and begin your deliberations.

(As the jurors leave, David turns his back and doesn�t notice anything going on in the courtroom. Everyone else in the trial grabs each others hands and dances around in circles. Dave looks over at them and they quickly return to their seats, pretending that nothing ever happened.)

Jurors return

If not guilty:

David:
General Witold Lutoslawski, it is the determination of this court that you are not guilty of the crimes of the murdering and mistreatment of over five hundred Jews. You are now free to go. Court is now dismissed.

If guilty:

David:
General Witold Lutoslawski, it is the determination of this court that the defendant is guilty as charged.

Bart:
I wish to note for the record that the evidence given is entirely circumstantial. I beg the court to consider this when pronouncing its sentence.

David:
So note it. I now call a thirty second recess to decide a fitting punishment, in the best interests of justice.

David:
General Witold Lutoslawski, in the interests of fostering enmity in the concentration camps in Auschwitz, the death sentence is commuted. It is the judgment of this court that without possibility of reprieve or parole, you will be taken from this place to the penal island of Blitzkrieg, there spending the rest of your natural life. This trial is now over; court is dismissed.

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