The Day of the Court Martial

Bastard, Padstowe thought, before rising to his feet.

"I object to this statement, sir. It is still a matter of contention whether it was Private Williams who assaulted Lieutenant Sharpe or not."

Sheppard looked at him. "Please elaborate, Captain."

(OOC: and right about now is where I bugger it up!)

"I shall elaborate in my opening statement, sir."

[Not. ]

(OOC: See?!)

Sheppard: Very well. Would the prosecution please call their first witness?

Williams listened as the prosecution first repeated the charge, then set out the facts. Dates, times, places, details of the injuries suffered. The only thing they got wrong was the name of the assailant. Padstowe objected, but the President intevened, simply pointed out that that the purpose of the trial was to adjudicate on that fact, and that Padstowe could make his point when it was the defence's turn. Captain Willis from the 33rd then called Sharpe to the witness table.

"You are Lieutenant Richard Sharpe, of the 2nd/95th?"

[OOC Edit - I'll do Willis, or Sharpe can. Sorry about the shorthand - I was trying to catch up!]

Sharpe came forward and took the Bible to repeat the oath, before answering the first question.

"Aye, I am."

(OOC edit - we're getting good at this OOC thing - If you wouldn't mind doing Willis. I'd feel REALLY weird cross-examining myself!)

Willis: Tell us about the events leading up to, during and subsequent to the incident to which these charges refer.

Here was where it all went downhill. "I was walking back to my billet from the Officers' Mess, when I had the feeling I was being followed. I stepped into an alley to load my rifle with powder. As I moved out to carry on, I saw Private Williams at the end of the road before I was jumped from behind. I managed to fire my rifle, which scared my attacker off. Private Williams came to help me and was grabbed by Sergeant Hakeswill for assaulting me.

He hoped he'd said the right thing, and hadn't said too much.

(OOC: OK. I meant, I would feel really split personality were I to question myself. Bah, technicalities!)

[OOC: Willis isn't going to cross-examnine you, though he may ask questions to clarify points. You're his witness. Padstowe will cross examine you. And may re-examine you as part of the defence]

Padstowe listened to Sharpe's statement with a sense of satisfaction. Good, he was not implicating Hakeswill more than he had promised to do. So far so good.

Hakeswill frowned. Sharpe was not trying to implicate him as his attacker. Last he'd heard the rifleman had been doing his utmost best to throw him to the wolves, but Sharpe passing up an opportunity to dump him in it... There was something going on here, and he looked across to the captain - Padstowe his name was - and noted the look of calm on his face. What was the bugger plotting? He'd have to watch his step.

Willis: So, Lieutenant, you confirm that Williams was present immediately after you were attacked, even if you cannot say on oath that he was the attacker.

Ah bugger. This would be where they tried to dump Williams in it.

"Not immediately after, no. There was a moment between my attacker legging it and Williams getting to me."

Willis (to President): We will be covering that 'moment' with the evidence of another witness. Captain Padstowe, perhaps you wish to cross-examine Mr Sharpe.

"With you permission, sir?"

The president nodded and Padstowe stood up.

"Lieutenant Sharpe, you have stated that you were attacked from behind. Am I correct in thinking that this means you did not see your assailant's face?"

Bastard, Sharpe thought. I bet you're another Morris.

Then Padstowe stood up and asked a question.

"No, I didn't." But I'd swear blind it was Hakeswill, and you know it, he thought, trying not to let his thoughts show on his face.

"You did not at any time recognise your attacker to be either Sergeant Hakeswill or Private Williams?"

"I did not." Well, that was nothing more than the truth.

Willis: I object. This slur against Sergeant Hakeswill is not based on Lieutenant Sharpe's evidence, and appears to be the strategy of a desperate defence.

[OOC Edit: am I going to be too good as a prosecutor?]

"I make no slur against Sergeant Hakeswill, sir, but merely wish to clarify Lieutenant Sharpe's statement."

He did not wait for the president's reply, but continued;

"However you do state that you saw and recognised Private Williams standing at the end of the street seconds before you were attacked?"

[OOC: Dream on, mate... ]

Sheppard: Lieutenant Sharpe has already answered the question, Captain Willis.

(OOC: Possibly. I thought you wanted Williams to be acquitted?!)

"Yes. I did."

"I see."

Padstowe turned to the president.

"The defence has no more questions for this witness, sir."

[OOC: *sigh* Give me a chance to get going...]

Sheppard: Does the prosecution have any more questions to put to this witness?

Willis: No, thank you, Sir.

Thank you, Mr Sharpe. I now call Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill to give evidence.