The Judge snaps his gavel and speaks again to the clerk, who calls the next case, being Willard Vickers who approaches. Once again, Senor Rojas stands alongside the accused.

Ledbetter reads the charge against him, of horse theft, and asks for his plea.

EDIT: typo
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:00, Sat 03 Aug 2013.

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 33):

The man with the shock of white hair speaks without hesitation. "Not guilty, sir."

In reply to Vickers (msg # 34):

The Judge makes a mark with his quill, takes a moment to review a document, and then glances around the courtroom. "Is there a Jake Richardson in attendance?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 35):

Upon hearing his name called, Jake rose to his feet, hat in hand, and replied, "Here, yer Honor."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 36):

"Approach, Mr. Richardson."

As Jake obliges the request, the Judge speaks to him. "I understand that the accusation against Mr. Vickers involves your property. Now, in a case involvin' property," says Judge Ledbetter, glancing around the assembled men as if he were here to deliver a lecture, "the offended party must choose to press forward. My further understandin' is that Mr. Richardson wishes to do so . . . and considerin' the serious nature of the charge, I would like to hear what transpired from both parties before I decide whether to pursue a trial."

"Mr. Caudell," he continues, "has indicated that the county can establish a case based on Mr. Richardson's complaint."

He takes a breath and faces the rifleman. "Would you care to make a statement at this time, Mr. Richardson?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 37):

Jake blinked as he stood in front of the judge and nervously turned his hat round and round. His fingers were on the brim, and looking as active and fidgety as those of a telegraph operator who was tapping out a message.

"Meanin', you want me to say what happened?" he asked.

OOC: Edited in Aqua.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Sat 03 Aug 2013.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 38):

"A summary of the facts will do. Whatever you think is important."

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 39):

"Well, yer Honor," Jake replied, lifting his right hand to scratch at his schin-whiskers, "I don't rightly know what the Law'd consider important, an' what ain't. So with yer Honor's permisshunn, I'd like to just say the way it was that night, an' leave it to you to hold onto what's important, an' discard what ain't. So, s'cuse me if I ramble a mite, but here's the way it was."

"We was of a mind to journey out to the Tonkawa Injun camp, an' my pard Travis Sunday, yonder," here Jake turned and nodded towards Travis, "was tole that Lewis Kirbee an' his pard Weasel Vickers was ones who could guide us out thaere, so's we wouldn't be wanderin' all o'er Hell's half-acre."

"So, Kirbee an' Vickers was hired on as guides, an' off we went -- Mister Sunday, the Perfesser, who is a learned man from back East, our pard Cole Trayne, an' Deputy Beauregard . . . along with Kirbee an' Vickers, of course." Jake tuned and nodded to ENS, Cole, and JEB in turn, having already acknowledged Travis.

"At the end of the first day's ride, we made camp, et, an' turned in for the night. I was asleep when things started to go south. I got waked up by some gunshots, an' first thing I  saw was a feller standin' 'bout ten feet away from me. I heard Cole Trayne, who was on watch, yellin' somethin' 'bout Kirbee bein' bad, an' for us to put him down -- an' that there was someone else out amongst the horses."

"Turns out that the man standin' near me was Kirbee, an' he was pointin' his pistol over at Cole. I saw some gunsmoke swirlin' 'round him, so I figured he'd already fired at least once."

"JEB -- Deputy Beauregard -- bless his heart, fired at Kirbee whilst I was scrabblin' for my Spencer. Otherwise, Kirbee might've got me, seein' as how he was standin' so close by. Since Kirbee was so close I couldn't hardly miss, so I put a round in his midsection an'  got up on my feet."

"Like I said, I'm sure I hit Kirbee -- an' Deputy Beauregard an' Cole Trayne was firin' at him, too, an' might've also hit him. I'd say that Kirbee was dead afore he hit the ground -- an' if not, very damned soon afterwards."

"Soon as I saw that Kirbee was down an' outta the fight, I turned an' seen somebody spurrin' my horse -- Ghost -- away at a gallop. Travis Sunday an' the Perfesser was firin' at the rider, an' I snapped off a shot soon as I had a chance. Truth be told, I ain't certain-sure whether I hit Weasel or Ghost -- the light was poor an' the rider was low in the saddle, presentin' a right smallish target. I followed a short way on foot, but wasn't willin' to risk no more shots in such chancy circumstances."

"I returned to the camp an' kept the Perfesser comp'ny whilst he tended to Jack -- that's Cole's dog, who got hisself shot by Vickers. Cole mounted up fast as blazes an' took off after Vickers, lickety-split, an' Travis an' Deputy Beauregard mounted up an' followed soon afterwards."

"After a while, I heard a single rifle report from somwheres off to the east -- a goodly ways off, from the sound of it."

"A right longish time afterwards, I caught sight of everybody comin' back into camp, walkin' the horses. Seems like my pards had managed to catch up with Ghost an' Vickers afore he was able to get clean away. Ghost was 'bout played out from the chase an' had a bullet crease, but I reckon he'll recover, given good care an' rest. Vickers rode him nearabouts into the ground, but leastways he didn't cripple him nor kill him. 'Twas a right good thing the Perfesser was thaere that night to tend to him."

Jake paused, and took a deep breath. "Reckon that's my statement, yer Honor -- 'less you got some questions of me."

OOC: Edited typo.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Sun 04 Aug 2013.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 40):

Judge Ledbetter, like all of the men assembled in the Association building, listens attentively to the rifleman's account, occasionally making a note. He nods, returning his attention to Vickers when Jake concludes.

"Mr. Vickers, would you care to make a statement at this time?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 41):

Weasel takes a deep breath. Like Jake, he fidgets, seeming more than a mite nervous, but after a moment he speaks.

"Judge, I reckoned it happened pert near the way Richardson said. I was away from the camp, relievin' myself when the dust-up started. Kirbee told me he wanted to bushwack them fellers; I told him no sir." He takes another breath before continuing.

"Like Richardson, I didn't see what started it all, but I seen Trayne and Kirbee firin' their hoglegs and Richardson and Beauregard joining in with carbines. I was s'prised as anyone. I panicked, is all. Fearin' for my life, I jumped on the nearest horse. I ain't no cavalryman. In the night, I weren't sure which one was the one that Kirbee and I hired for the night, I just knew I had to get clear of the fuss or maybe end up full of holes like Kirbee."

I ain't never meant to steal no one's horse. I was just meanin' to save my skin. I was ridin' straight back towards town, towards Pickett Jail. I meant to surrender the horse to Deputy Mansfield or whoever was on the porch. Them fellers caught up and I figured that horse was played out. I didn't want to kill it, so I gave up, hoping they wouldn't shoot me on the spot. I'm grateful they didn't. I took that horse in a moment of fear, that I own up to. But I ain't never meant to steal it."

In reply to Vickers (msg # 42):

As he did when Jake spoke, the Judge listens attentively, making a note here and there. He glances at the two parties. He tugs at his goatee and makes another note.

"Mr. Richardson," he begins, measuring his words. "Do you wish to comment further on Mr. Vicker's statements?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 43):

Jake scowled at Vickers as the other man spoke. When the judge asked the rifleman whether he would like to comment on Vickers' statement, Jake nodded. "Yes sir. That I would."

"That sumbitch is a liar as well as a hoss thief," he began.

"He jest now said that he was surprised as anyone when Kirbee made his move, an' the dust-up started. But as he also said that he knowed good an' well that Kirbee was plannin' on robbin' bushwhackin' us, so he couldn't have been all that surprised when the lead started flyin'."

"An' did he do the right thing an' take one of us aside ahead of time an' warn us of what was comin'? No sir, he didn't -- an' that was with a lawman, Deputy Beauregard, ridin' right alongside him all durin' the day, which woulda been the perfect opportunity. It's just a lucky thing that my pards an' me was right gun-handy ourselves, an' was able to defend ourselves -- no thanks to Weasel, who kept his mouth shut, 'stead of speakin' up."

"An' once the dust-up started, did Weasel leave his own hogleg holstered an' stay out of it, like an innocent man should? No sir, that warn't what he done a-tall. He drew it an' fired a round into the camp -- most likely at Cole Trayne, I'll wager -- he admitted to firin' at us when he was caught, from what my pards tole me later. An' he also shot Cole's dog, Jack."

Jake paused for a moment, still scowling at Vickers. "An' as far as him gettin' confused in the dark as to which hoss was his, an' his just happenin' to pick out one that warn't his, that's a lie, as well. Kirbee an' him had rode double all day on a hoss. But what he didn't want to tell you was that they was ridin' a big ol' draft hoss."

"Now, dark or not -- an' remember, this warn't no tee-total, inside-of-a-cave dark, no sir, 'cause there was starlight an' moonlight overhead -- any man that can tell the north end of a horse from the south end oughtta be able to tell a draft hoss from a regular ridin' hoss. Well, sir, Weasel knowed good an' well that he wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of gettin' away ridin' on his own big an' slow draft hoss, so he picked out a faster one, one he knowed good an' well warn't his. That's hoss thievery right thaere, yer Honor."

OOC: Edited to more accurately follow Vickers' wording, and to correct misspelling.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Sun 04 Aug 2013.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 44):

Jake's speech elicits some audible reactions from the gallery, although Weasel seems unaffected. The Judge, whose face might be carved out of oak, tugs on his whiskers while he listens. Near the conclusion, Rojas whispers to his client.

The Mexican is still whispering when Jake concludes. The Judge turns his attention again to the defendant. "Mr. Vickers? Counsel?" he prompts.

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 45):

Senor Rojas breaks away from his client's ear.

"Your honor, we have nothing more to say at this time, except to remind the court that Mr. Richardson's opinion in certain matters does not constitute fact. We ask that the court determine whether a trial is warranted for the charge brought against Mr. Vickers, without further ado."

In reply to Rojas (msg # 46):

The Judge's eyes sweep the men gathered at the Association office. A few of the men had found it hard to keep their opinions to themselves, and though none had been inappropriately vocal, the Judge's severe look made it clear that he expected a specific level of decorum.

"Mr. Rojas," says Ledbetter, "so it shall be." He faces Vickers, pausing for a moment to ensure he had the man's attention. "Willard Vickers, the court agrees with the prosecution; there is adequate evidence for this complaint to move forward. The seriousness of the charge entitles you to a trial before your peers." He glances down at his paperwork and then addresses both the prosecution and the accused.

"I am settin' a trial date of one week from today, Wednesday, February seventh, eighteen-hundred-seventy-seven." Judge Ledbetter looks to his clerk, who nods and continues his constant note-taking.

"Now, on to the question of custody. Mr. Caudell, I understand that Mr. Vickers has served a night in jail and was then released on his own recognizance. What is the county's position at this time?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 47):

The prosecutor and cattleman stands. "We see no need for custody. Mr. Vickers has shown good faith by appearing this morning and expect he will remain in Shackleford county to stand trial."

In reply to John Caudell (msg # 48):

Judge Ledbetter nods. "Mr. Vickers, you are ordered to report to the county courthouse in Albany a week hence."

The Judge bangs his gavel and asks for the next case. Men in the gallery, can't help but murmur and comment on the Judge's ruling.

OOC: Pausing here so PCs may make narrative posts, or speak to each other briefly, etc.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:42, Sun 04 Aug 2013.

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 49):


Jake continued to scowl at Vickers, and his glare now took in the man's counsel, as well. He was within an inch of stalking over and giving Rojas an earful, but Judge Ledbetter's judicial temperament and no-nonsense attitude had made an impression on the rifleman.

So he kept his thoughts to himself, but he did not spare the Mexican. What the hell? Rojas, I surely had thunk better of you. I wouldn't've thought you'd turn against them who considered you a friend, just so you could serve as a flannel-mouth for that sumbitch Vickers, an' try to wiggle-worm him outta what he surely deserves.

Put into a foul mood by what he viewed as the Mexican's double-dealing, Jake sighed heavily and stalked back to his seat on the bench.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 50):

ENS watched the proceedings attentively. He was impressed with Jake's rebuttal, which he felt summed up Weasel's transgressions effectively.

OOC: The Judge never said if ENS got a seat next to anyone, so I'm assuming he did not.

Boasting a height of six-feet four-inches gives a man a number of advantages in mundane situations. Randy can tower over men others find difficult to see around. The Cattleman's Association is no exception to this advantage for the big man as he stands on the porch and watches through the open windows.

Sure Mr. Big'un arrived late to the hearings, but he was out late too. He didn't want to arrive late, just like he didn't want to go to Jameson's. Those are two happenings that can't be undone, no matter if he wished it or not--he didn't, if you were of a mind to know.

Still, he missed the hearing he came to see. He's just going to have to hear about it from the boys when they gather to chew the fat. Randy could ask one of the other gents standing around the porch the happenings of the hearing. He figures two things will definitely happen, however. First, he knows the fellow recounting the proceedings will pump opinion in it and mess the whole damned thing up. And second, the Buffalo would be put in a position of telling his truth or a lie--and lying to the other Buffaloes just isn't in the cards.

No, he'll wait here until he sees a friendly face.

Travis takes in the atmosphere of the court.  Seems properly run and fair-minded.  Too bad he thinks when pondering the slight annoyance that he has no intention to submit himself to the justice decided by this court. It would be nice if he could trust a court to judge him. That would be a fine place where a man wouldn't have to wear four pistols and a Derringer to court.

Oh, he'll stay for the theater of the judge and gavel. The honest folks of the Flat need to feel civilization forming out here on the frontier. Maybe he can contribute to their belief that the chaos is ebbing and order is becoming the norm.  Travis however will never make the mistake that young Vickers has.  This is the west and it is ruled by men and not by laws.  Vickers has decided that there are men who can and will decide his fate. Good men, honest men, but men never the less. Travis has decided just the opposite.  There are no men who he will allow to imprison him.   He may say "not guilty" and "yes your honor" "no your honor" but Travis is just trading pleasantries today for headaches tomorrow.  He hopes it won't come to that, he doesn't want to have to kill Mangy or any other Tin Star or posse rider.

After a brief interlude that witnessed Jake and Vickers taking their seats, the clerk scribbling notes and the Judge leafing through his stack of papers, the clerk calls the next case.

Travis Sunday is called.

Senor Rojas, who remains standing, turns his eyes toward the rear of the gallery, where the gunfighter had settled himself before most of the other arrivals. The gathered men follow the lead of the Mexican, turning to watch as Sunday approaches the bench. Rojas, as he did with both Carter and Vickers, joins the accused.

The clerk reads the two charges: Dueling, Murder in the First Degree.

The Judge raises his eyes from his papers to face Sunday.

"Mr. Sunday, do you understand the charges brought against you?"

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 54):

Jake had barely gotten settled into his seat before things moved along to Travis Sunday's case. The rifleman frowned when he heard the charges that were called out against his pard.

Well, daymn. What the hell's wrong with this place? They let horse-thieves walk the streets, fancy as you please, whilst a man who took part in a fair, man-to-man gunfight with both parties ready, willin' an' able, gets hisself charged with murder.

Upon hearing this new case called and worse still charges against he friend and personal savior, Randy pushes his way into the gathering hall. He attempts to be polite, but only just.

This courtroom, or kangaroo court better yet, is less fortunate that the former pugilist isn't heeled. This fighter has proven more lethal with his hands than his irons.

He continues to press forward as far as he is able.

In reply to Judge Ledbetter (msg # 54):

Travis touches Rojas on the arm indicating he'd like to speak.

Travis has a 15 Charisma an easy manner and was generally well liked.  His oratory skills were unrefined but as long as he was truthful and to the point folks gave him the benefit of the doubt more often than not.  He smiled, not so broadly to impugn the court with a lack of seriousness but a happy to be here, lets get to business attitude.

Your honor, I don't recall being arrested or charged with any crime. Perhaps that was a courtesy, for which I thank the Sherriff's office. I was asked to attend these proceedings to answer questions about what happened yesterday in the hopes that things would go no further and yours and the good citizens time could be preserved. I was advised that having counsel was appropriate.  As a former officer of the law I know

Travis looks back to the crowd

when told to bring a lawyer, I bring a lawyer.

Travis hopes to elicit a chuckle or two and some sympathy from the crowd by emphasizing in a light and exasperated tone "I bring a lawyer" as if it were an unwanted demand from his wife that he knew he needed to comply with, like "when my wife says be nice to my mother, I'm nice to her mother.

He looks back to the Judge and adopts a somber countenance,

To answer your question...

he waits a beat then as if acknowledging a tragic occurrence but without a hint of guilt, shame or apology he says

I know why I'm here.