What started as a simple trial developed into something more akin to a three-ring circus yesterday at the Asphyxiation Point courthouse.
The case of Lyssander Ritter versus the State began as trials usually do – with a prosecutor and a defense; the latter being charged with one count of domestic terrorism, one count of aggravated sexual assault, one count of kidnapping, one count of gang assault, and one count of conspiracy.
But matters began to shift shortly after the defense waived her right to council and declined a stay of trial, instead opting to represent herself against this list of serious allegations.
Proclaiming her innocence from the very beginning, Ms. Ritter, (the known Leader of the Black Mamba’s gang) slew several curt accusations of her own back towards the Assistant District Attorney, Eva Perry, and her client – one Vivian Lowe. Ms. Ritter’s main controversial contention was that the ADA was unfit to present the case, due to a rumored, existing ‘financial relationship’ with the defense’s wife Rhoslyn back when the original attack had taken place.
While Ms. Perry dealt with the Defense’s finger pointing with much aplomb – remaining collected even while going so far as to deny Ms. Ritter’s claims then and there – Ms. Lowe appeared to be uneasy during the entirety of the proceedings; sitting rigid in her seat and shaking her head often.
It was after the calling of AP Chief of Police Captain Jay Biafra to the stand – where he explained in detail how the original arrest had taken place and the charges that were laid – that Ms. Ritter appeared to have had enough of the proceedings. Stating at first that she was willing to confess, the defendant then began to spout off a list of ‘crimes’ that she had allegedly committed during her lifetime – none of them relatable to the trial at hand – and not stopping until Judge Aimee Dashrix banged her gavel and called the room back to order.
Unfortunately, order was not yet to be attained following this display, as the Defendant requested the right to ‘trial by combat’; calling out the Prosecution (or her Champion) to fight her instead. This was then followed by shouts of encouragement from Ms. Ritter’s entourage who were seated in the gallery, along with the exclamations from other spectators who were confused by the chaotic turn of events.
In the end, Judge Dashrix and the bailiff managed to bring the room back under control, so long as it took to declare that she had, “no choice but to rule on the matter as it has been presented to me.” Thus having decided, the Judge found the defendant not guilty on the charges of domestic terrorism and aggravated sexual assault, but did find Ms. Ritter guilty of kidnapping, gang assault and conspiracy. She also found the Defendant in contempt of court, and had her remanded immediately to the APPD jail.
This conclusion was obviously not satisfactory to the Defendant or her wife; the latter crying out additional accusations against the Justice system and the AP Police Force, suggesting that “The DA is a sadism loving freak and the police department is staffed by impotents.”
When asked about what he thought of the proceedings, Captain Biafra had the following to say. “I believe, so much as what was allowed, that justice is being served appropriately, though, I am shocked that the defense had no attorney on their side. The convicted will serve her time as it is administered and I am sure this will not be the last we'll hear from the Ritters, the Black Mambas, and their deeds.”