Conflict of Orders

Marcus Decius Bellicus nods to the presiding judge

"Gaius Quinctilius Varus, when did you first reach out to myself to coordinate the war as it was declared by the Senate? What was the nature of this communication? Can you provide copies of the plan you sent?"

You were ordered, no such contact was required. You made no efforts of your own, which I can also prove.

Is this charade over yet? Why are we even assembled and entertaining this unhinged criminal? This should be the prerogative of a magistrate's judgement.

G. Quinctilius Varus,

I would ask you pay me the same respect I paid you and not use your time as a testifying witness to make further statements. I only ask that you answer my questions.

Just to ensure that there is no confusion, you are saying you made no effort to reach out for the purposes of coordinating this endeavor? Did you see any evidence showing me stating in direct language, that we were doing anything other than awaiting your word? Did you find any evidence of me stating before any witness that I was not going to assist you?

Considering I already answered your question I can see why after receiving orders, you awaited for someone to tell you to obey them.

I would ask honorable Gaius Quinctilius Varus to keep his responses short and restrained. If he does not wish to answer, he does not have to, and will simply have to remark that he does not wish to answer.

Marcus Decius Bellicus locks eyes with GQV for a moment, maintaining a hard stare before turning back to the assembly, his demeanor changed

"That is all the questioning that I have for my accuser. Although he was unwilling to answer hardly a single question presented to him today, I believe that his testimony, or rather the lack therein of, is rather quite telling. The accusation brought before you all today is that I, with intent, did not obey the consular decree as issued by the then-Consul GCV. Indeed, when given an opportunity on the stand to answer if he had found any evidence to that effect, he resorted to petty, childish insults. I do not pretend to know as much about oratory as some assembled here today, but even the most novice orator knows that, often times, when someone cannot attack the argument made, they'll resort to attacking the person making it.

"Sadly, I believe that is the crux of this issue today. This was never about my actions, this was about the selfishness of my accuser, who no doubt watched the riches and tributes paid by Consuls and his peers conducting military actions around the borders of the Republic and found himself without any of his own. From the beginning, my accuser has made it a point to attack my person, my character or my reputation, whether publicly or in private.

"Typically, I am unbothered by the insults of my lessers, however in this case he has seen fit to drag the good name of the people of Rome into a case that amounts to nothing more than the temper tantrum of a child denied a sweet at the dinner table.

"So I shall summarize the finality of my arguments as thus. The crux of this matter was whether or not there was an intentional act of myself in regards to the inability of my accuser to conduct a war during his time as propraetor. Although great time was given to him to prepare and present evidence to that effect, none was ever produced. Not a single word or shred of evidence, even when directly offered the opportunity to present it, has been given to this body or to the jury to show that I, with intent, did not support my accuser in his abortive campaign against the foes of Rome.

"What we have learned today is that my accuser is a bitter, vindictive man who will sully the name of the people of Rome to take out petty vendettas. What we have learned today is that my accuser rushed his troops out into the field, without supplies, without a plan and without assistance. When I crushed the Boii, it was not done without a plan and without working to ensure that all of the forces at my disposal were together and ready for combat.

"What we have learned today is that my accuser rushed off in search of glory without any thought for the well being of his troops or those he had the responsibility to protect. Were I a petty, vindictive man like my accuser, I no doubt would seek a frivolous suit against him just as he has done against me today.

"So I close my defense with the recommendation to the jury that they not only vote for me to be found not guilty of this crime, but also that they consider charges of calumnia against my accuser. It is clear he did not have grounds for this suit and should never have wasted the time of the people of Rome, nor sullied their name by associating them with it."

I hereby consider Marcus Decius Bellicus to have finished his defense, and thereby moving this trial from the argumentation stage, to the deliberation stage. I will invite all three jury to discuss the matter internally. I would remind all that the jury deliberation shall happen thusly:

First, the matter shall be open for debate. If any of the jury wish to discuss the matter with other jurors, they are free to do so.

Second, the jury will cast votes. They will under the penalty of exile not be allowed to tell another person, living or dead, their vote or others votes. If the vote is in the majority, the accused is found guilty, if the vote is in minority, he will be found innocent.

Third, if the accused is found guilty, the jury in consultation with the judge shall deliberate on a suitable punishment.

I now invite all three jurors to my domus, where we will discuss the matter privately. Again, I reiterate that none of what the jury discusses may leave my domus for as long as the jury sits, and that if any of the jurors speak of what was discussed or how they voted, they will be exiled from Rome.

(OOC: For the three jurors, please see the "Jury room" sub-forum for further debate, thank you)

The judge returns with the jury in tow. An alteration in the make up of the jury had taken place, as Marcus Silvius Pastor had taken ill and was replaced by Titus Furius Pavo.

After due consultations, I am here to announce the final tally of the vote. May I remind you that this is a simple majority vote, with abstentions not being possible. With that said, the result was the following.

2 Not Guilty's
1 Guilty.

On those grounds, Marcus Decius Bellicus is found not guilty of the charges brought towards him. The court did not consider any further matters, and any separate issues such as calumnia must be solved by a separate court.

I thank the jurors for their honored work, and urge reconciliation among all Romans for the ludi appolinares.

Thank you.