Equestria Noire Case #3: The Hate Case

“Mares and Gentlecolts of the jury, will you all please rise. Judge Monique residing in docket number 0717: The ponies vs Gavin.” The judge said, as the jury rose from their seats.

This was it. Today was the day. We’re all here in the Ponyville Courthouse. I was sitting in a seat next to Applejack and Twilight. Apple Bloom sat next to her big sister as well. She looked nervous, seeing as how she was gonna go up on the stand in a little bit. I just hope I trained her good enough.

“Where is this pony you were talking about? He needs to be here.” Twilight whispered in my right ear.

“Yeah.” Applejack whispered in my left ear. “And who is this pony anyway?”

“You both just gotta trust me.” I whispered to them. “I trust Angel Blossom with my life. If she says this is the way, then this is the way.”

“That’s fine and all, but where IS this pony?” Twilight asked, sounding worried.

“He’ll be here. Just wait, okay?” I told her.

I looked over to my left and saw Major Matlock with his client Gavin. Guess he’s not going by Gunner anymore. He was caught. No sense in using that name anymore.

I looked forward and saw the judge looking over the docket with her reading glasses. She looked about in her late 40’s, maybe early 50’s. Maybe even pushing mid 50’s. She had a light brown coat with a receding curly grey mane, that probably looked better back in her younger days. Her cutie mark was a gavel being slammed down.

“Major Matlock, it says here you are going with a not guilty by reason of mental defect. Is this true?” She asked him.

He nodded with that professional, but somewhat arrogant smile on his face.

“That’s true, your honor. My client was born with hatred and racism wired into his brain. He’s not responsible for his actions.” He said to her.

“There is no such research that proves your theory, Matlock.” Doctor Gwynn said. She was representing Zecora AND Zakwani today. Odd choice for it, but hey, she’s a doctor so, maybe that could work.

“Well, shouldn’t this trial here be a good reason to test that theory? Why not prove your research and theories right, by this trial involving three clear cut hate crimes?” He asked.

“This doesn’t feel appropriate for that.” Doctor Gwynn said.

They both looked up at Judge Monique. She looked to be interested in this.

“I do agree that the circumstances regarding this case does seem inappropriate for research to be questioned. However, I do admit I’m interested to hear this.” She said, looking at both of them. Doctor Gwynn looked defeated, while Matlock just smiled that shit eating grin of his.

“Motion granted, let the proceeds begin.” She said, banging her gavel.

Alright, let’s get this fucking trial started. I just hope our pony makes it on time.

-/-Apple Bloom-/-

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Celestia?” Doctor Gwynn asked Apple Bloom, who had her right foreleg raised in the air like I showed her.

She smiled and nodded. “I do, Ma’am.”

“So, tell us your name, and relationship to the victim, Zecora?” She asked, while walking away from her to stand on the middle of the room.

“Mah name’s Apple Bloom, and Zecora is mah friend.” She said.

“And how long have you been friends with her?”

“Ever since she first moved to Ponyville a few years ago. I saw she was having trouble carrying some groceries to her cottage, and Ah offered to help her. And ever since then, we’ve been friends ever since.” She said with a smile on her face. Okay, so far so good. Keep going Apple Bloom.

“So, would you care to tell the jury what happened that day you found Zecora assaulted?” Gwynn asked her.

Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah was gonna go help her organize some potions for some treatment she was working on. Ah had just finished up mah chores, and Applejack let me go. So, Ah went through the Everfree Forest, and when Ah was outside, I called out to her, but Ah didn’t hear an answer. And Ah saw the door was ajar. So Ah slowly opened the door and….” She paused, and sniffled a little bit. She looked about to get emotional, but was keeping herself together. Good. Keep it up Apple Bloom.

“What did you see, Apple Bloom?” Gwynn asked, with a kind tone in her voice.

“Ah saw Zecora on the floor. Her head was bleeding, there was a puddle of blood on the floor near the big pot and her face and body had cuts and bruises on em.” She said, really trying to hold it in. Come on, kid. You can do it.

“Then, you immediately ran back to your home and got Detective Shadow Haze and your big sister to help her. Right?” Gwynn said.

Apple nodded. “Eeyup.”

“Now, Apple Bloom, did you see Gavin flee the crime scene?” She asked her.

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Eenope. When Ah opened the door and saw Zecora, he was already gone.”

“And, with this assault on your friend, do you think Gavin should be in prison?” Doctor Gwynn asked.

Apple Bloom angrily looked over at Gavin and Matlock. And I have to say, the look she gave him….I was completely right when I thought she was very brave.

“Even if he IS mentally unwell, he almost murdered a pony. So, yes. Ah DO think he should be in prison.” She said, almost burning holes in Gavin. Who, by the way, didn’t appear to like Apple Bloom looking at him like that. If this wasn’t in a courtroom, he might have attempted to attack her.

“Your witness.” Gwynn said, walking back to her desk, which did have Zecora and Zakwani next to her. Zecora looked to feel bad for Apple Bloom, having to watch a little filly up on the stand and recount a truly traumatic event. Zakwani also looked remorseful to, although he also looked pissed off when Matlock then stood up.

Ah great, here we go.

“Now, Apple Bloom, you said you’re friends with Zecora, right?” He asked, approaching her stand with that cocky look on his face.

Apple Bloom had a look of disgust on her face. “Yes.” She said, trying not to sound intentionally rude to him.

“Did she ever confide in you? Did she ever tell you that she thought somepony was after her? Maybe, stalking her?” He asked.

She kept that glare on her face. “No, but Ah felt she was keeping something from me, and I didn’t wanna worry her.”

“So, maybe what happened to her was your fault then?” After that was said, I saw Apple Bloom look hurt by that statement. I wanted to go up there and slap the hell out of Matlock.

Thankfully, Doctor Gwynn instantly shot up out of her seat and exclaimed, “Objection!”

“Sustained.” Judge Monique said. “I will not tolerate that in my courtroom, Matlock. Tread lightly.” She also gave him a look of disgust.

He put his hooves up to get them to calm down. “No further questions.” He said, smiling at a pretty hurt looking Apple Bloom.

Zecora and Zakwani also looked at him with a look of disgust on their faces too. I would’ve done the same to that piece of fucking shit as well.

-/-Dr. Gwynn-/-

“Doctor, you showed your research to the Detectives on this case, correct?” Judge Monique asked her. Gwynn’s pictures were on display here in the courtroom. The ones she showed us at the Detention Center were there, as well as some new ones as well. Guess she had time for more research on hoof. Hopefully, it works.

She nodded. “Yes. I recently interviewed Gavin at the Detention Center with a brain wave pattern helmet. The results here show his brain wave activity when being shown pictures of Zebras.”

“And what do you make of this research you have been finding?” Judge Monique asked.

“I’ve noticed his brain wave pattern fits a similar situation with a Zebra Prime Minister.”

“Which was?”

She paused for a quick sec before continuing. “The Minister was shown pictures of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as a Confederate Flag. And his brain wave pattern rose. As well, his sub cortex levels grew as well.”

“So, overall, what does your research say about this, Doctor Gwynn?” Judge Monique asked.

“Like the Zebra Prime Minister with the KKK, Gavin has a real serious hatred for Zebras. Especially female ones. I showed him one of a male and a female. His brain wave patterns rose slightly higher then for the female then the male. Either way, whenever he see’s a Zebra, he gets ripe with anger. I believe if he was in a room long enough with one, he wouldn’t hesitate to attack, if not murder them.” Gwynn explained to the Judge, as well as the jury.

“Yet, you feel the plea Gavin is going for is not right. Why is that?” Monique asked.

“Even if violent behavior could POSSIBLY be predicted, thanks to the research I’ve done, I’ve also seen that all of these brain wave patterns ultimately started from a learned and taught belief by their elders. You could be bit by a dog one day, and that may make you not like them. However, that doesn’t mean you were BORN to hate them.” She told every pony. I think she came across very good here. Hopefully, it’ll stay that way.

Because NOW Matlock is coming forward again.

“Doctor Gwynn, you say violent behavior could POSSIBLY be predicted. Could you also predict if somepony was gonna be diagnosed with a type of rare condition? Or, something hereditary to pass onto a child from their parent?” He asked, again with that look. I just wanted to smack the fuck outta him.

“Doctors have shown that diseases CAN be predicted with family histories.” She said.

“So, with family histories, don’t you think that if one pony has a hatred for a certain race, why is it not possible for somepony to be born a racist?” He asked.

“Like I said, racism is a learned and taught behavior. They would learn it from their elders.” She said, lightly tapping her hoof on the stand.

“But, you said that mental diseases can be predicted due to family histories. If somepony hates a certain race, wouldn’t you TECHNICALLY classify that as being mentally unwell?” He asked.

That question appeared to have surprised her, as well as the jury.

“If somepony hates a certain race, I would view as a flawed and warped mindset, but not mentally unwell.” She said.

“But, you’re a Doctor. What you just said right there sounds more like an opinion. Subjective, if you will. Objectively, a warped and flawed mindset could classify as being mentally unwell, correct?” He asked, kinda raising his voice.

She was silent for a split second before she replied, “It’s not that simple.”

“My point exactly. No further questions.” He said, heading back to his desk.

Damn it, he’s fucking good.

-/-Gavin-/-

“I was in trouble a lot in school. Got into fights, suspensions, that kinda stuff.” He told his lawyer.

“And did the school ever send you to a counselor or something?” Matlock asked, sounding sympathetic to his client. The fucker.

“Yes, but it didn’t help.” Gavin said so matter of fact like.

“How long have you had this resentment and hatred toward Zebras, Gavin?” Matlock asked.

“Probably ever since my father died. He was murdered 20 years ago. Then, 4 years ago my mother died. And I think my hatred for those things have increased further.” He said.

That “those things” comment looked to have pissed Zakwani off. Zecora, however, just shook her head in disappointment.

“Gavin, do you feel any remorse or regret for what you did to Zakwani and Zecora?” He asked him. I saw that even HE was surprised at his clients cold heartedness.

“No. Why should I? They come here to perform their rituals, they have several children with different partners, they call out the Justice system whenever one of their own is shot by them, yet don’t bat an eyelash when one of their own kills a police officer, and they are the ones mostly in prisons, who would just commit crimes again and again. So, no. I’m glad I did what I did.” He told his lawyer, while every pony in the jury listened in with disgust.

Matlock went to his seat while saying, “No further questions.”

Doctor Gwynn stood up. “You know, this whole insanity plea seems kind of funny, Gavin. You seemed to know what you were doing the whole time.”

“And how’s that?” Gavin asked her.

“Changing your name to Gunner when you flee New Colt City to move to Ponyville, stalking a Zebra and learning her whereabouts before you attempt to murder her, and following another Zebra into an alleyway, where no pony could see you, just so you could assault him. Admit it, you knew what you were doing, weren’t you?” Gwynn said, getting in his face.

Gavin stood up on stand and got in her face too. She backed away a little bit. Probably, didn’t want her face bitten off by his beak.

“My father was murdered by a Zebra. Which sent my mother into a lifelong stance with depression, which is what she ultimately died of. They think they are SO much better then us. And yet, they do more crimes then ANYPONY today. And we’re supposed to be okay with that?!” He yelled in her face.

“Order!” Judge Monique exclaimed, slamming her gavel down.

“What about the ZRA, huh?! They hate ponies, so what’s wrong with ME hating Zebras?!” He yelled again at her. He looked ready to lunge at her.

“ORDER! ORDER! If you don’t calm yourself, you will be brought back to your cell, Gavin.” Judge Monique said.

Matlock stood up. “Gavin, that’s enough.” He said.

Gavin just angrily looked around at the jury.

Before he left the stand however, Zecora stood up. Every pony looked calm now.

“Your honor, I have something to say to Gavin.” She said.

“Please proceed.” Judge Monique said.

If I could speak for the whole jury, the tension was really awkward here. Zecora standing face to face with her attacker? Most ponies would be sick to their stomachs if this ever happened.

“I can see that you have a lot of hate inside you. Toward myself and my brother too.” She said, pointing at him. Zakwani just looked disgusted at the sight of Gavin.

“I cannot speak for my brother. As I’m sure if he had the chance, he’d use a pillow on you to smother.” I saw Zakwani nod his head to that. Can’t say I blame him.

“However, for me, I do not, nor DO I want, to live with that hatred too. So, Gavin, my message is, even if you tried to kill me, in order for me to move on….I forgive you.” She said with a smile on her face.

To say the whole jury, her brother, and even ME were shocked would be an understatement. After everything Zecora went through, she forgives him?

Even Gavin looked surprised as he got off the stand.

-/-Surprise Guest-/-

I felt my phone vibrate. I set it on silent, which is something I normally don’t do. However, jury duty, you do have to silent your phones for the proceedings.

I took my phone out and saw the text.

Just outside the door. Am I on yet?

I smiled as I stood up.

“Your honor?” I called.

“Yes, Detective Shadow Haze?” Monique asked me.

“Permission to add a late witness to the stand? He’s here now.” I asked her.

She looked baffled by that statement. “Why haven’t I heard of this mystery witness as of yet?”

“I was worried the witness wouldn’t show up. But, he’s outside the doors right now, waiting to be lead in.” I told her.

“Objection. This seems like a set up, your honor.” Matlock said.

Judge Monique thought for a moment. She appeared to look annoyed. And yet, interested to see what was up.

“Overruled. I’ll allow it. Send him in.” She said.

“Thank you, your honor.” I walked over toward the exit doors and opened them to let our new witness come in.

He was a Griffon, just like Gavin. He also had a purple body on him. He even shared a few facial and physical similarities to Gavin, except this guy was older then he was.

As the Griffon walked over to the stand, I looked at Gavin.

He looked shocked. Confused. But most of all, super pissed off.

The Griffon sat down on the stand, and put his hand on the Bible.

I asked him, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Celestia?”

“I do.” He said. I saw a quick look this Griffon have Gavin. It looked like a look of shame and disappointment.

“Please state your name and relationship to the defendant.” I said to him.

He deeply breathed through his nostrils. “My name is Gene, and I’m Gavin’s father.”

The entire courtroom gasped. Twilight and Applejack looked shocked.

“Objection. Gavin’s father is dead. This is all a ploy to put the jury in favor of my client, your honor.” Matlock said.

Before Judge Monique could say anything, Gene brought out a picture. He handed it to her.

It was a baby picture of Gavin. And in that picture, was a younger looking Gene. With a brown coated looking female Griffon.

“Overruled.” She said, showing the picture to Matlock. He looked so confused.

He turned to Gavin, who still looked SO pissed off right now, looking at Gene. His father. “Gavin, what’s going on here?”

“If you allow Gene to speak, he’ll tell you. Tell all of you.” I said to him.

I turned to Judge Monique. “I’ll allow it.”

I saw Matlock sit down in defeat. The look on his face fills my body with nothing but joy and happiness.

“Now, Gene, tell me something, why does every pony think you’re dead?” I asked him.

He sighed sadly. “Because, I allowed it to happen.”

“Why’s that?” I asked.

He was quiet for a quick sec, before he explained everything.

“20 years ago, I was a traveling mechanic in Baltimare. I traveled all around the state to help ponies fix things.” He said.

“Okay.” I urged him to go on.

“My wife Gennete and I were having really bad troubles in our marriage. Gavin was around 2 and a half, 3 maybe. One day, I traveled further away into Baltimare. I was gonna help somepony with her washer. It died on her not too long before.” He explained to us.

“And who was it that you met, Gene?” I asked him.

He looked over at a now fuming Gavin for a quick sec before continuing.

“A zebra mare named Zena.” He said.

“And what happened with this Zebra mare, Gene?” I asked him.

He looked so ashamed before he answer my question.

“We got to know each other a little bit. Soon enough, she started calling me for other things that needed work on. Like the sink, a wheelbarrow, that kinda stuff.” He said with his face looking down in shame.

“Was there something going on between you two?” I asked him.

He nodded. “One day…..we met up for sex.”

The whole crowed looked uncomfortable here. Gavin looked about ready to explode.

“After that, I decided to divorce my wife, marry Zena, and move to Detrot.” He said.

Before I could say anything else, I heard a loud noise. I turned and saw Gavin had pounded his talons on the table in front of him in anger. He was seething with hate and rage for his father.

“No further questions.” I said, going back to my seat.

Instead of Matlock approaching, who by the way, looked scared to see his client like this.

Gavin approached his fathers stand.

“Did you forget to tell them how you did it? According to Mom, she got a FUCKING LETTER IN THE MAIL!” Gavin yelled at him in anger.

“Gavin, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” Gene said, looking genuinely remorseful for his past actions.

“You damn right it is. You know what Mom told me? She said you were brutally murdered by an evil Zebra. Why would you never come around to tell me any different? Do you know how hurt I was finding out that you were still alive when I got my name changed? Do you?” Gavin asked him, now with tears sprouting in his eyes. He was getting emotional. Never seen this from him.

“I WANTED to see you, but your mother wouldn’t let me. She had custody of you. She threatened that if I ever tried to come visit you, she’d call 911.” He said, appearing to try and reason with his son.

“But you didn’t! You just wanted to spend time with those half breed mud pony kids of yours, didn’t you?!” He angrily asked him.

“Your mother filled your head up with all these lies, all this crap about Zebras. Because she was angry with me! Don’t you get it? She poisoned you with her hate.” Gene said to him in a slightly calm voice.

“Mom worked her ass off to take care of me. YOU NEVER GAVE A FUCK! SO FUCK YOU!” He yelled and then did the last thing before being pulled out of the courtroom by security.

Like what he did to Rod, he clawed his father in the face.

“ORDER! ORDER! ORDER! Take him back to a cell now!” Judge Monique exclaimed as the security guards subdued Gavin.

As he was being taken away thrashing and screaming, he yelled, “IF YOUR KIDS WERE HERE, I’D FUCKING KILL THEM! THEN I WOULD FIND YOUR WIFE AND KILL HER TOO! THEN I’D LIGHT YOUR FUCKING ASS ON FIRE! FUCK YOU! FUCK ALL OF YOU!”

He was taken out of the courtroom. The whole jury was just stunned at what took place. Twilight, Applejack, Zecora and Zakwani looked stunned.

However, Gene just looked up at me with that claw mark on his face as blood started to trickle down it.

Hopefully, that was enough to convince a grand jury.