Mirfak
10-04-2005, 06:01
In a case against a Mirfakan man accused of killing twelve people with an unknown form of mind control, the Mirfakan judiciary has issued a landmark ruling thatis expected to finally put substance to crimes which have heretofore been undefinable due to their lack of substance. The nine member panel voted 6-3 that the law of Mirfak can and will extend to cases wherein no natural substantive evidence can be found. Justice Samuil Nikita delivered the twenty-page verdict, which asserted that "the nature of crime and criminal action does not always fall within the boundaries of what can be logically defined. The judiciary, not only of Mirfak but of hundreds of nations, has been always bound by the natural laws that contain the substance of evidence. The case against Linarda Vlistin is based on the premise that he utilized a power known as 'the Force' to carry out his crimes. Though no natural evidence can be found against him, his own attestations coupled with those of others attuned to this supposed power and experts on the subject of various backgrounds and national origins force us to acknowledge that this, and quite possibly other powers like it, do, in fact, exist; and do, in fact, have the potential to impact our own reality. Based on that acknowledgement, this court holds that, as long as a case against a defendant can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, there is no need of evidence linking him, her or it to the physical execuation of the act. Rather, it is acceptable for a prosecution to prove that the defendant compelled that act through direct means."
The ruling, which is expected to face numerous challenges both at future trial and in the other two branches of government, defines strict burdens of proof that must be carried by prosecutors in cases involving supernatural action and acknowledges expert witnesses in supernatural categories. It also reaffirms citizens' right to a fair and unbiased trial and warns of the possible abuse of the ruling. Prosecuting attorney Bill Ailasi, who headed the state's case against Vlistin, said after the ruling was delivered that "the law behind this decision is still undefined. Though the Force was used in this particular crime, there is substantial evidence that other powers like it exist. The powers and limitations of the judiciary will have to be felt out in the coming years, and there will certainly be many problems along the way. The fortunate aspect of this case though, is that real criminals like Linarda Vlistin can finally be punished for their actions by law."
Linarda Vlistin has been remanded to the custody of Salaria Province's judiciary, where his case will be retried. If he is found guilty of murder he will most likely be rehabilitated or executed.
The ruling, which is expected to face numerous challenges both at future trial and in the other two branches of government, defines strict burdens of proof that must be carried by prosecutors in cases involving supernatural action and acknowledges expert witnesses in supernatural categories. It also reaffirms citizens' right to a fair and unbiased trial and warns of the possible abuse of the ruling. Prosecuting attorney Bill Ailasi, who headed the state's case against Vlistin, said after the ruling was delivered that "the law behind this decision is still undefined. Though the Force was used in this particular crime, there is substantial evidence that other powers like it exist. The powers and limitations of the judiciary will have to be felt out in the coming years, and there will certainly be many problems along the way. The fortunate aspect of this case though, is that real criminals like Linarda Vlistin can finally be punished for their actions by law."
Linarda Vlistin has been remanded to the custody of Salaria Province's judiciary, where his case will be retried. If he is found guilty of murder he will most likely be rehabilitated or executed.