Crim205-4

================================================= Docket Number: Crim205-4p - Rex vs. Lachdanan

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==================================== Brief for the King, submitted by Skywarden

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For the Murder of Vardon by the Mage Lachdanan prepared by the Justicar Skywarden

Facts of the case:

On or around the 28th of Hoerfest, 204, the fighter Vardon was slain in the Tower of Alignment at Maelstrom's fortress by the cleric Kalim, the mage Cleisthenes, and the mage Lachdanan. Said killing was witnessed by a cleric named Nyth and a reading of the dead was done by a cleric named Torm.

This murder of Vardon was done by the mage Lachdanan, the mage Cleisthenes, and the cleric Kalim. A reading of the dead by the cleric Torm confirmed Lachdanan made the killing stroke. The cleric Nyth witnesses all three individuals attacking Vardon before his death.

Kalim, Cleisthenes, and Lachdanan all admit to the plot and killing of Vardon. Kalim and Cleisthenes claim this as an honor killing as Vardon and another individual named Krogax purportedly "stole" a killing of a drow elf from Kalim and Cleisthenes. Lachdanan was "along for the ride" so to speak and thus does not have access to the claim of an honor killing. Kalim and Cleisthenes did lure Vardon to Maelstrom's fortress by spitting upon him from those lofty heights. Vardon was sitting in the Green Griffon at the time and did immediately pursue these individuals to Maelstrom's fortress. At that time, he was set upon by Kalim, Cleisthenes, and Lachdanan and eventually slain.

Recommendation:

Rex vs. Delenn (Crim 184-1j) says that the "stealing" of another's kill before the monster is dead is not a crime under the law. The court did not choose to define whether the stealing of a kill was worthy of an honor killing. Under the argument by Kalim and Cleisthenes, they were the only ones who had access to this defense (even though it is still not validated under the law). The mage Lachdanan was purely along for the sport of the kill and thus his culpability is much higher.

It is recommended Lachdanan be handed the death penalty or a fine commensurately higher than any handed down for Kalim and Cleisthenes as his culpability is much greater in this case.

No brief on record.

No judgment on record.