also must be merciful. Judge not only
if a person
is guilty or innocent, but consider also, if even though what they did
was outside The Law, they may have been justified. The law cannot
always be this or that. Each case must be judged on its circumstances
and every fact taken into consideration.'
177 I say this man is guilty, but because of what those animals did to
his sister, for I will not call those accursed things men, he was
justified in his actions. He took the place of the executioner, and I
believe, he was justified in doing so. He inflicted a tiny amount of
the pain SHE endured, on them, and again I call him justified.
178 And before you make your decision there is another Law you must
consider. It reads, 'A Warlock in the field is responsible for all the actions of his people, that he
has knowledge of, or witnesses. If he witnesses them committing any
crime and does nothing, he is as guilty of that crime as those
committing it, and shall bear the same punishment, no matter what it
shall be.'
179 I was the Warlock in charge of this mission. I was
present when this man committed his acts. I now put myself under
charges. If you punish this man in any way, you must order that I bear
exactly the same punishment, for that is The Law. Gentlemen, I close my
case!"
180 Someone in the crowd screamed "Never!" and someone else screamed
"We won't have it!"
181 The Presenter banged his staff until there was quiet. "Honorable
Judges," he announced, "I am speechless. I have presented my charges
because it is my duty, but I will admit they weigh heavily on me after
hearing this testimony. I can only say I still believe the guilty
verdict is called for, and I think my learned opponent agrees. As to
the justification,