06: [Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth is looking the part of the stern father and projecting a cold air of confidence, certainty, and determination to a level not many here have seen before as the video feed begins.]

Concerning the recent news, I feel it important to assure all of you that this case is not going ignored. Unfortunately, given the disposition of many within our ranks, I feel it necessary to spell out basic precepts of justice before anyone does something ill-advised and exacerbates the situation.

What I have to say is simply this: if you find someone who you believe to be the serial killer, do not simply kill him or her. Incapacitation prior to turning them in is acceptable, however. Even a criminal as abhorrent as this deserves to be tried and sentenced fairly, and it is my hope that the structure that currently exists is sufficient to the task.

Even if it is not, however, starting a cycle of vengeance is not the answer -- that would only reduce those involved to his level and erode what community we might possess. Now more than ever, we need to show restraint. I realize how foreign that concept must be to many of you given what apparently happened during my time abroad, but we have a responsibility to each other as kidnappees even more so than we would as members of a normal community.

I am not asking you to stand idle as such brutality takes place. I merely insist that any vigilantes keep firmly in mind that your role is not that of executioner, particularly not prior to any attempt to bring any suspect to trial. Even if you should catch them red-handed, steel yourselves against that temptation, capture the murderer if you're able, and do what you can to preserve the evidence. Prove that we can be better than a pack of wild animals.

[With that, the feed ends.]

Comments

[Video]

[gaveupfeeling]

I had no intention of doing so, but I was not particularly close to either of the deceased. Convincing them may be the harder task.

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

If nothing else, you may be of particular help in helping to keep those who aren't convinced in check.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...

[He knew Edgeworth was right. He knew vengeance wasn't something a knight should ever, ever have a hand in. But gods above it would be so easy. He wanted to find whoever did this (he certainly had his suspicions) and tear them apart with every bit of the attention given to those victims. That anger Diarmuid carried within him since the end of the war was threatening to show itself again in the worst way.]

You know it won't be as simple as that. [He spoke flatly, in a voice almost completely devoid of emotion.] Someone will still do something stupid, I am certain of that.

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

It is my hope that at least some of those that I do reach will not only hold back on their own, but help others to do the same. Under the circumstances, I presume that the former will be enough of a challenge for you.

[video]

[athngabla]

Don't you still wind up killing murderers, nowadays? Why not just cut to the chase.

[Man, that is not how modern law works and even he gets that much. This is why his words come out dryly, almost as though making a quip rather than a query.]

[video]

[truthsnomiracle]

In some places that's one of the possible punishments, yes -- though in the event of the murderer being a kidnappee, it would be a pointless one.

[Edgeworth's tone is warning. You'd better be kidding like it sounds, Cu Chulainn.]

video;

[ex_cashcow493]

[ nope.avi ]

Then you should begin to pray that someone besides myself locates this fiend.

video;

[truthsnomiracle]

I had expected you to continue to be stubborn on this point. If I had the time and the capability, I would stop you myself.

[theheirofbreath]

[Wow, Mr. Edgeworth is taking this really seriously. But he probably does know what's best in this situation...]

Don't worry, if I find him, I'll turn him over to the cops.

[truthsnomiracle]

Don't hesitate to run if the killer proves too dangerous for you, Egbert. Every kidnappee he kills will provoke additional anger in our numbers, and no small number of us are rather hotheaded, hail from times when duels were regarded as proper justice, or both.

[Video]

[thanklesswork]

Gotta get used to the fact there's actual law in the land again. But I don't like folks runnin' around doing things like that, so I'll try if I find 'em.

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Your effort is most appreciated.

If I might ask, what do you mean by "again"?

[want_a_vacation]

I'm not sure whether to be more disappointed by the fact that this has to be said or the fact that it needing to be said doesn't surprise me.

I doubt I'll be much help in restraining anyone, but I'll at least try to talk sense into anyone I know who starts getting bright ideas.

1/2

[truthsnomiracle]

Thank you.

2/2

[truthsnomiracle]

We need to arrange a meeting to discuss my time abroad once this incident is resolved.

[fractured_white]

And what would you do if we did decide to take matters into our own hands? It's not as if there would be any doubt in the matter if someone were to catch the killer in the act.

[truthsnomiracle]

Quite frankly, it would call for punishing those who overstepped their bounds as well.

Video

[namedforcat]

Wise words, though I wonder if they will be faithfully followed.

Video

[truthsnomiracle]

I hope to sway enough of us to make a difference. Ideally, those who disregard what I have to say will be kept in check by those who listened.

[Video]

[strawberrypunch]

Killing the murderer... won't fix anything.

[Video]

[truthsnomiracle]

Precisely my point. Homicidal acts of vengeance would only serve to slow what justice can actually be served; furthermore, should a kidnappee be responsible, an execution would fail to prevent future crimes for long enough to matter, making it of no worth as a sentence.

...Or are you stating this for another reason?

[pucelle]

While I agree with what you have said, such patience is much harder to do in practice, especially when such justice often takes a due amount of time.

[ooc: thanks for the typo notice. o/]

[truthsnomiracle]

While it may be difficult, it's entirely necessary. We must judge with logic and clarity based on the evidence, not blinded by rage and surface appearances.

Video

[sandma]

We've already had cases of someone coming back to life after they died here. Trying to convince our community that killing is not a viable option becomes harder when death loses permanence.

Video

[truthsnomiracle]

I'm well aware of that, Ms. Barnes. However, this is also why people shouldn't overreact to the murder of our fellow kidnappees, as well as why execution doesn't constitute a viable sentence.