emerald

[dramatispersonae]

You find yourself in a beautiful red room, the edges of each wall adorned with real gold accents. At the center of the room is a long table, several chairs on either side of it, perfect for very serious conferences. In the middle of the table is a plate of strawberry jam tarts atop it, one per teammate present.

In the corner of the room is a hole in the ground, only large enough for a small animal to fit through. Next to it is a flat iron bar, curled at its tip, where a golden bell has been hung from it.

Finally, on one wall is a large poster which reads (or you find read aloud to you, if you cannot read):

John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt,
His name is my name too.
Whenever we go out,
The people always shout,
"There goes John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt!"

Comments

inquiries

[dramatispersonae]

[ring bell receive rabbit]

Re: inquiries

[itsalluseless]

[rings!]

What kind of evidence was it that suggested the second Schmidt was plotting murder?

Re: inquiries

[dramatispersonae]

[there is a few moments of nothing, then a little red rabbit, regally dressed, scurries out of the hole and holds out a piece of paper to you. in stubby little handwriting, it reads:

EVIDENCE:
Mr. Schmidt's diary detailing the eventual murder;
the murder weapons and tools from his diary found in his room

the rabbit looks at you expectantly.]

first case

[dramatispersonae]

On the table you find a paper, though it most certainly wasn't there before. It reads, or is read to you:

DEFENDANT: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (2)
DETAILS: Though not related in any way, the Schmidts are registered under the same way, though they are certainly separate people. While the first Schmidt lived peacefully under this shared name, the second Schmidt began to engage in various forms of identity theft, causing harm to the first Schmidt. The second Schmidt's behavior soon escalated, however, and he later began to impersonate the first Schmidt so thoroughly that even the first Schmidt's family could not tell the second was the imposter. Soon after, the first Schmidt's family members began to disappear, though it is unclear if it is connected to the second Schmidt's impersonation of the first Schmidt. Around the same time, the second Schmidt took possession of the first Schmidt's property. There is evidence suggesting that the second Schmidt planned to murder the first Schmidt, however, he was arrested before any attempts could take place.
PROPOSED SENTENCE: Execution

Re: first case

[virtuallyroyalty]

... uh.

[ This hits close to home of someone I know about (unsure). ]

Re: first case

[itsalluseless]

...Isn't execution a little extreme?

[reading through those details again because WOW COMPLICATED]

Re: first case

[heroinhisowntime]

Execution is definitely a little extreme.

Re: first case

[virtuallyroyalty]

Yeah, I mean... even if there were plans for murder there was no attempted murder! It's all identity theft. And the disappearances of family members... I dunno, it's too circumstantial!

Re: first case

[existentiallychallenged]

[LOL I DON'T REMEMBER ANY PINGS ABOUT THIS W/E W/E]

He tried to murder him?

Re: first case

[heroinhisowntime]

Maybe. Even planning's not really the same as trying, right?

Re: first case

[heroinhisowntime]

Hmm...

Re: first case

[fraternalorders]

[is suddenly around, or maybe he was here the whole time who knows]

Re: first case

[existentiallychallenged]

Stealth, this is getting way complicated...

Re: first case

[heroinhisowntime]

Oh, hey.

verdict

[dramatispersonae]

[a gold-trimmed envelope, letter-writing paper, and a red ink pen on the table has been provided for you. the back of the envelope reads FIRST VERDICT.

you understand the letter must be sealed and left on the table when you finish writing your answer, but you can always open it again later. the resealing would just be noticeable.]

Re: verdict

[existentiallychallenged]

I think the second guy is guilty of identity theft and trying to murder the other guy. He should be put in jail a little for that so we make sure he doesn't kill anybody, and in the meantime you can investigate all this other shit to see what happened there!

But it's a nice jail! And he gets three meals a day while he's there. Okay?

second case

[dramatispersonae]

On the table you find another paper, though it most certainly wasn't there before. It reads, or is read to you:

DEFENDANT: John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt (1)
DETAILS: The first Schmidt is a well-known figure in his area, and very popular with both his friends and neighbors. However, he also worked in a highly influential position, passed down from his father. Though, sparse, there have been unreliable reports throughout the years that suggest the first Schmidt engaged in blackmail and coercion in order to gain the massive amount of wealth and properties he has today. Only recently was it reported and proven that the first Schmidt had the hand in the disappearance of a small family: the family vocally opposed the first Schmidt's behavior, but disappeared not long after making their opposition public, which left their lucrative business and only son in the first Schmidt's care. It was around that time that the name "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" was registered under a second person.
PROPOSED SENTENCE: Execution

Re: second case

[existentiallychallenged]

...

I guess they investigated it.

Re: second case

[fraternalorders]

So it would seem.

Re: second case

[virtuallyroyalty]

I knew that plot twist was important!

Re: second case

[existentiallychallenged]

What do you do to someone who did something like that?

Re: second case

[heroinhisowntime]

...Does she just propose execution for everything...

Re: second case

[fraternalorders]

Apparently.

[I feel as though this doesn't bode well]

verdict

[dramatispersonae]

[a gold-trimmed envelope, letter-writing paper, and a red ink pen on the table has been provided for you. the back of the envelope reads SECOND VERDICT.

you understand the letter must be sealed and left on the table when you finish writing your answer.]

Re: verdict

[virtuallyroyalty]

"This guy is guilty of murder and also underground connections and cheating with his business! But we're not fans of the death sentence, so he's going to stay in a not-as-nice jail for a longer time than the second Schmidt, and on top of that his business is going to be confiscated and given to the second Schmidt. That'd sting way more than just being sentenced to death anyway.

Also, a good punch to the face for catharsis!"