Day 1 Court

[stringmods]

The murder of Cachou Anise has resonated throughout all of France... The assistant to the most renowned magicians in the entire world, she was also a celebrity in her own right as a model and a fashionista. The people of Paris are demanding blood.

An elderly British woman calling herself Minerva McGonagall is the prime suspect. Lacking any identification papers whatsoever, her presence at the scene of the crime is highly suspicious. She claims to have gotten lost within the building, but it is apparent that someone deliberately sabotaged the infamous Curtain Trick to cause the death of Anise. There's no known motive for this crime - but of course, that's what the trial is for.

The consequence for premeditated murder is execution. Defend Minerva McGonagall, find the real culprit, and return safely to the city of Hinoto-Ri.

The Court is Now in Session...

Clues So Far
Notes on the Crime Scene
Notes on the Victim
A Strange Item

((This section is primarily for the Defense Team, although there is a pre-court mingle where everyone can discuss. Investigation Team, please continue tagging the previous post as not all the clues have been found yet, and will be important for this section, but we need to try to proceed!))

Comments

[turnaboutalamode]

"Excellent. The prosecution is represented by Monsieur Benjamin Hunter, who is also quite eager to witness your talent."

He gazes down towards the other side of the court

"If the prosecution is ready, you may call the first witness."

[turnaboutnpcs]

The man behind the prosecutor's bench smirks, and bows slightly.

"The prosecution is of course ready, Your Honor. I am quite eager to see how the lawyers of such an esteemed firm perform - though I fear they will not be able to pull off one of their legendarily miraculous wins here."

He straightens, and folds his hands neatly behind him. "The prosecution wishes to call Chief Inspector Otto Gaffe to the stand."

[turnaboutalamode]

"Very well."

The judge bangs his gavel.

"Chief Inspector Otto Gaffe - please take the stand."

((How this will work:
Each statement will be presented in a different comment and may be 'Pressed' by anyone on the defense team as many times as desired. Simply respond to that comment with a question. When a contradiction to a piece of evidence is found, the defense team should confer and agree and make a new response to the end of the testimony with their objection, which statement they object to, and the piece of evidence they are presenting. It may be helpful for the players to confer with each other to determine what the contradiction is.

The first testimony will have no contradiction and will be simply a warm-up for pressing.))

Chief Inspector Otto Gaffe's Testimony

[turnaboutnpcs]

As the chief inspector approaches, he smiles broadly at the defense team.

"We meet again! But it will not go so easy on you, I fear. The case is clear as day. It is nothing more than a matter of formality. It is impossible to deny that the woman has no business being here!"

Statement 1

[turnaboutnpcs]

"Madame Minerva McGonagall, she says? Pah! An alias! No identification papers, no proof of entry, no legal right to be within France whatsoever! The accent is faked - doubtless she is an agent of the spies of Mongolia or the Ukraine."

[stringent]

"And what proof do you have the accent is faked?"

And here is Franziska, stepping in while glaring all the while at Benjamin Hunter.

[turnaboutnpcs]

Glare all you want, he's gonna keep that smirk to him.

"Considering Madame McGonagall has no papers or proof of entry, it is for the defense to prove otherwise."

He opened one of the fancy television windows so the court could see more clearly.

"As seen here, we have found no trace of anyone within all of Europe with that particular name that isn't accounted for. The name is clearly an alias."

[stringent]

"So the famous French prosecution service only has access to European databases? Pity, what a pity."

[turnaboutnpcs]

He shakes his head, seeing that one coming.

"Non, mademoiselle," he punched a few more things into the computer. "But she claimed to be from Europe. If we search the worldwide database we do get more results, but obtaining verified data for all of them will take some time...and regardless, it implies she has been lying about the whole affair. Why should we waste money on a worldwide research?"

[stringent]

Sigh. She would really press this point but it is time to let it go.

"Because you are a foolishly foolish fool..." she murmured angrily, mostly to herself.

Statement 2

[turnaboutnpcs]

"The messieurs do not wish to reveal their secrets, but, ah, we do have some barebones details about the machinations. Rest assured that sabotage would result in the injuries to which poor Cachou Anise succumbed."

Statement 3

[turnaboutnpcs]

"Here is the twist! The props were routinely examined every night immediately prior to being brought out on stage! Ergo, there were only three people who had the means to carry out this crime."

[jonathandammit]

"And who carries out the examinations?"

Hi. Jonathan is Trying To Help, he swears.

[turnaboutnpcs]

"Mademoiselle Anise, of course, she being the one most at risk. But alas, she cannot give testimony. But there are stagehands also - three loyal workers with the troupe for years! Each of them has attested in writing that it was in working order before they approved its use."

Statement 4

[turnaboutnpcs]

"Monsieur Tic, Monsieur Tac, and Minerva McGonagall. ...Ah, pardon - the woman who calls herself Minerva McGonagall."

Statement 5

[turnaboutnpcs]

"Motive? It is obvious! She is sent by a rival magician to destroy our beloved Tic and Tac and to throw all of France into chaos! All will be clear when we establish identity. We match her prints to databases around the world as we speak."