Chapter 625 - Stay in jail? (2)

10 June, Municipal Courthouse, City K

Bronwyn looked around and located where the prosecutors were, before knocking on the door and entering.  As soon as she entered, she firmly said "Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Lieutenant Bronwyn Li, a legal officer assigned to the military base."  She reached into her pocket and withdrew her military identification before saying "Here is my identification, and if you give me a moment, I will give you a copy of my orders."

She then reached into her briefcase and pulled out the orders that Matthew had provided her before leaving the base and handing over the three copies she had before adding "I apologise that I do not have enough copies of those for you all."

A female lawyer, said, "That is not a problem, but can you explain exactly why you are here>"

"You most likely do not know, but the defendant is the mother-in-law of a senior military officer.  The media have not found that fact out, but it will not be long before they do.  If that fact gets into the media, it may have national security implications.  Additionally, one of the victims, as their marriage to a military officer has been approved does technically give the military the potential to claim jurisdiction.  At this point in time, that is not the intention, but I have been tasked at this time to observe…"

"And react if it becomes necessary?  The military always seem to do this, come in take a case away from the civilian authorities where it should be" snapped one of the male lawyers.

"Sir, that is not our intention.  Why would we drag into the military system a case when we do not have to.  My orders are clear that I am to cooperate with the civilian prosecution authorities, but if this is the attitude that I get through trying to be cooperative and not blindside you in the court room, I have no problem in not doing that."

"Ha! That explains it all.  You will come in and go against your orders.  Who can trust the military," came the same lawyer.

Bronwyn, calmly placing her hands on the table said "If that is the attitude that I have to face so be it.  Honestly, if the defendant has been honest with her lawyers, they will know there is the option to force this into a military court and you know as well as I do, if a defendant who has grounds to take a matter to the military courts opts to do so, you can do nothing."

Picking up her case, Bronwyn walked out of the room but not completely shutting the door, she heard the female lawyer say "Shut up.  You are not in charge of this prosecution, I am.  If I had my choice you would not be on this team, but your seniority gave you the ability to force your way in.  I will make it clear, you will sit down and shut up in court unless I ask you to speak.  Get it."

"Who gave you the right to dictate what I do; I am your superior."

"You might be in the office, but I was appointed to run the case.  You have an issue, take it up with someone more senior than you to make the change.  The military are being honest about their intentions, and you know as well as I do, if Madam Mo is the mother-in-law of a senior military officer, she can avail herself of the military criminal system, and they have even a more woeful record than we do of prosecuting historical s*xual offences.  You want to let that woman get away with it?  I don't."

Bronwyn smiled and knew that she someone on side.  What they did not know was the verbal orders she had from the military legal team in the capital.  Everything had to be done to prevent the case being transferred to the military system, and with the Affidavits she had from Monica Pang, and Kevin Mo, that indicated the mother-daughter relationship had been severed for years, she should be able to do so.

The only potential wrinkle was if she had wind that she and John were engaged.  While the Boss had approved the marriage report, given her father's rank and her role as a military lawyer, it had two other approval processes to go through.  Both would be formalities, but they had not been done yet, so she would not be lying if she told the court that their marriage request had not been formally approved.

As she headed to the assigned courtroom, she nodded to John and walked inside.  She knew because there would be opposition to Madam Mo being released, he would have to remain outside until he was called to give his evidence.  As she entered, a court security officer stopped her and asked "What business to you have here?  We need to have all the space available for the media who wish to attend the hearing."

Bronwyn from her briefcase removed the final copy of her orders and her standing letter from the military legal office, as well as her military credentials before handing them over saying "I am a military legal officer and have been ordered to be present for this hearing as there may be some potential link to the military."

As he handed the doc.u.ments back, the court security officer said "I have to let the judge know, because she has the final say on whether you are allowed in."

Calmly, Bronwyn responded "Sir, if that is what you must do, please do so.  I can wait, but please advise the judge that I will insist that I remain in the court room for the hearing."

Pointing to the front row, the court security officer said, "Sit there."  With that he picked a phone and started to speak.

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