The Zalem Witchcraft Trials

Back at the Burrows residence…

George sat at his kitchen table alone, but still in peace. He took a sip of his morning beverage.

Knock knock knock…

“I’m coming…” George said as he slowly made his way to the door.

Knock knock knock…

“I’m coming!”

Knock Knock Knock…

“Whoever is there, you can stop knocking! I am not deaf, I assure you of that” he said.

George opens the door.

“Hi, I’m George Burrows. Please state your name and occupation” He said.

“Hail, my name is Hail, George. I am here to serve this warrant I have in my hoof”

“For what is the warrant for might I ask?”

“For you, George, this is not a search warrant, it is an arrest warrant. I’m here to take you before the court”.

“Under what accusation? Or a better question under who’s?”

“Are you going to yell as well?” Hail asked.

“Was I ever? Now tell me, who?”

“Under the accusation of Taitana, the first witch discovered” Hail said.

“Wha-Witch? But what would the court be doing believing the likes of a witch; a servant none the less” he looked nervous.

“In the middle of the day just yesterday, Taitana was brought to punishment because she would not confess to her wrong doings”

“I see…” said the blind stallion. “Very well then, I will go in peace, you have no need to take me by force”

“Come then…”

They both trot to the cart; George closes the door behind him.

“Wait! Allow me leave the key”

He places the key in the wooden mailbox; then trotted back.

“Okay then let us commence,” He looks at the lock of the cage, then the cage in its entirety “oh…very well then” He gets on the cage slowly, due to his age.

Hail gets on the front of the cart.

“LET’S GO!!”

Bang

“The court is now in session for the trail of Miss Trocter. Are both sides ready?” Judge Stanforth said.

“The prosecution is ready your honor” Hail said.

“Is the defense ready?” The judge said.

“The defense is ready, your honor” Elisabeth’s lawyer said.

“The Trial will now commence! The prosecution may make his opening statement”

“Very well. Yesterday in the midday, Taitana confessed to crafting black magic, thus confessing herself to being a witch. Soon after she confessed to me that Gorge Burrows is also a witch, or rather, a wizard. After she had said that, Apple Gail confessed as well, claiming herself to be a witch, a crafter. She pointed out that Elisabeth is indeed a crafter” Hail said.

“Now,” Danforth said “how is the defense going to prove their client’s innocence?”

“We have evidence that Apple Gail had a motive to lie about Elisabeth being a crafter”.

“Oh, and what would that be?” He said surprised.

“Your honor, I call Apple Gail to the stand!”

“OBJECTION!” Hail yelled from across the room “The prosecutor does not have to come to the stand, this Stallion should know that”

“Your honor,” The lawyer said “What would the people say if you’ve held back evidence from this court?”

“Hmm…I cannot grant that Apple Gail come to the stand when you have not yet told us of the reason in the first place”.

“Apple Gail used to be the servant of the Procter house, am I right?”

“Indeed” Hail responded.

“Care to explain why she is believed to be terminated?”

“It is simple actually. She and John both said that she was terminated for disobedience” said hail.

“That is what they both wanted everypony else to believe, when in fact, she was fired for something else, something a little more mischievous in nature” the lawyer said.

“Oh, a new piece of evidence? Well then, care to enlighten us, Mr.?” Stanford said.

“The reason why she was terminated was because the fact that she and John were committing the act of adultery!!” The layer said pointing his hoof to the prosecutor.

Everyone in the courtroom gasps.

“THE ACT? OF ADULTURY?? Judge Stanford stammered.

“Why yes. The family wanted this be kept secret for the sake of public humiliation”

“OBJECTION!!” Hail yelled. “How exactly do you plan to prove this? The word of the victim is not enough evidence to prove this claim”

“Hmm…as shocking as it is keeping this a secret, the prosecution is right in their knowledge. OBJECTION SUSTAINED”

“But your honor, if we can make Apple Gail and John Confirm it, then it WOULD be valid evidence” The lawyer said.

“OBJECTION!! The defense cannot make the prosecutor Apple Gail testify, it goes against court rules” Hail said with a smug attitude.

“OBJECTION!!” The lawyer yelled.  “It seems you haven’t read the law properly, you forget three crucial exceptions; One, ‘if what evidence the victim/s has/have presented contradiction what evidence is found later on’ and two ‘if the victim had close or despicable relationships with any of the defendants family whether dead or alive’ and finally three, ‘if what evidence the prosecutor has brought is vague to the point of doubt’ ” the lawyer quoted confidently.

“Why, your correct Mr…” The Judge paused.

“Firebird Wright your honor!”

“Yes, and as for the objection of the prosecutor…OBJECTION OVERRULED!” He looked at a pony next to him. “Bailiff! Bring John and Apple Gail here, at once!”

The bailiff left for the exit. “The court will now take a thirty minute recess as we gather them” BANG “Court is adjourned!”

All the ponies of the court left. Hail left with a frustrated look as he left for the exit, but smirked later on as he walked past the door. Firebird left for the other exit carrying an exited look on his face. Elisabeth followed him smiling as well.

“WOW! This is my second time in a courtroom! And I’m nailing it!” Firebird said surprised at himself.

“Eh…nailing it?” Elisabeth said.

“Well, I was only talking meta-”

“Never mind that. I couldn't ask for a better attorney like you.”

“I prefer lawyer…you know ‘cus it has the word LAW in it” He said smiling.

“Okay then, ‘LAW-YER’ she smiled.