Wild Life (Human Boy X Anthro Girl) 18+

Ch. 25: Hammer Time

About a week and a half later, once the snow clears up after the snow storm, Alan and Sara arrive to the court room as plaintiffs while Maltravers arrives as the defendant.

Bailiff: All rise. The honorable judge Judith Stevens presiding.

Both the plaintiffs and the defendant stand from their seats and then look at the judge.

Judith Stevens: Good morning. Call case number-

As the judge calls in the case number, Sara whispered to Alan and commented on how handsome he is in a suit.

Sara: Alan. You're looking quite handsome.

Alan quietly whispered back.

Alan: Babe, save it for after the trial. Okay?

Judith Stevens: Alan Cole versus Alec Maltravers. Before we begin this trial, I want to make everything crystal clear. The law doesn't recognize the existence of "Anthros," but this is the first case that we will see an actual Anthro as one of the two plaintiffs present in this court room today. From now on, we will stick to facts over feelings in this case and that both the plaintiff and the defendant are innocent until one of them is proven guilty in the verdict. The witnesses will testify under oath before the jury and will answer the questions. Any knowingly false answer to said question will be the basis for the prosecution of the witness for perjury. Any lawyer moving for a continuance, I, as the presiding judge, will grant that continuance, but you must have good cause. How are you doing this morning, counsel?

The judge looked over at Maltravers' lawyer, Colin Reese, who is representing him for the trial.

Colin Reese: Fine, thank you.

Judith Stevens: How about you, Ms. Wade?

The plaintiffs' lawyer, a human one, Maxime Wade, answered the judge with a small smile.

Maxime Wade: I'm alright. Rough traffic because of the snow storm that happened here, but I'm feeling okay.

Judith looked over at Ms. Wade and looked at her watch.

Judith Stevens: While this is still November, it'll happen more and more next month.

She banged her gavel and looked over at the jury.

Judith Stevens: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. One of the most precious guarantees in the Canadian Charter of Rights is that of a fair trial. Everyone has a right to one. The defendant and the plaintiffs are no exceptions. It is you who must decide this case, not I. You must weigh the evidence carefully. Understood?

The jury nod and the judge banged her gavel again and looked at the two parties.

Judith Stevens: Alright. Ms. Wade. You may begin.

(Opening Statements...)

Maxime Wade: Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. As you may know, my name is Maxime Wade. I am honored to represent the plaintiffs in this case, Alan Cole and Sara. This is a case about the destruction of private property at the hands of the defendant, Alec Maltravers, who, in fact, orchestrated the siege and robbed Alan of his home. Neighbors of Mr. Cole will testify that they saw Mr. Maltravers breaking and entering the home of my client. And you will hear those neighbors, under oath, testify that there was a crime that occurred on that street. You will also hear from multiple witnesses, like the neighbors, saw that crime committed on the street. And you will hear from from multiple witnesses, including Paul Meade, who is one of the members of Maltravers' security team, who had destroyed the entire interior of the house. You will hear from Mr. Meade that he saw... and others will say as well, that they saw broken glass on the floor, damaged televisions, torn walls, and spilled toilet water. The evidence will show that Mr. Maltravers went to criminal lengths and ordered his team to demolish the house Mr. Cole lived in. Prior to the destruction of the house, Mr. Cole is in a relationship with another one of my clients, Ms. Sara, who has no full legal name, and she had chosen to live a quiet, domestic life with him. You will hear from both the plaintiffs and the defendant in this trial. Ultimately, this case is about the compensation from an individual that intentionally or negligently caused the damage or destruction of Mr. Cole's home. At the end of this trial, I will ask you to render a verdict for Mr. Cole. I will ask you to tell the court that his home was destroyed on purpose. And I will ask you to tell Mr. Maltravers what he did was wrong. Thank you very much.