Chapter 639 - You failed (3)

11 June, Matthew's Villa, City K

Matthew calmly and quietly said "You need me, so stop playing games.  Now that I know that information if makes tracing things legally, but as to whether it is something to be concerned about, that we do not know.  Nor is this the right time to discuss this."

Head Honcho paused and after considering things said "You are right on that.  But there is a bigger problem, that my daughter and since you approved their marriage report my son-in-law to be are being dragged into."

"What?  There was nothing in anything to do with what happened to Dominic to drag them into the situation."

"Not that…"

Matthew was interrupted by Lexi calling out "Matthew you need to see this on Weibo."

"Sir, can I call you back, I need to see what Lexi needs."

"Fine, but make it quick, because you need to handle this crisis, once we talk about it."

Matthew ended the phone call, and returned to their bed before saying in a concerned voice "What is it?"

Lexi handed Matthew her phone and said, "Read this."

Matthew simply took Lexi's phone trying to work out what had Head Honcho ready to have him dumped from his position and Lexi so concerned.

Within seconds Matthew could see what had Lexi, so concerned.  Someone had gotten access to protected court information and put it into the public arena.  Whether it was in the civilian or military judicial systems there were rules that applied to both.

Firstly, there was the timeframe for reporting any incidents of s*xual assault.  Unless they were children and depending on the circ.u.mstances victims had up to seven years from the incident to make a formal report.

Secondly, there was a level of victim input into whether perpetrators were prosecuted.  How long victims had, depended on a whole lot of circ.u.mstances including ages, power structures, and the number of victims a perpetrator had targeted.  If victims did not agree within the time frame set by those circ.u.mstances, then a perpetrator could not be prosecuted.

Most importantly there was the protection of the identity of victims of s*xual assault.  It was absolute, regardless of the jurisdiction that their identity was protected until the legal case, and any associated appeals were finalised.  There was, however, a significant difference in the rules for disclosure between the two jurisdictions.  In the civilian jurisdiction, the victims had to agree to their identity being disclosed.  The military jurisdiction was different, as identities had to be disclosed, both to dishonourably discharge perpetrators but to ensure that appropriate supports were put in place for victims.

The viciousness of the commentary had him worried.  Would justice be done?  If this continued, absolutely no way.  But there would be limits in getting the case into the military system.  At best, their claims for jurisdiction were extremely limited at this time, because only Madam Mo could opt to go into that system because of her son-in-law.  Given the friendly nature of the civilian judge towards her, why would she risk moving into a less friendly court for the case.

But there was an alternative, and he suspected that once he spoke the option out loud Head Honcho was not going to like it.

Lexi on observing Matthew said, "Why would someone do that?"

"To damage the case so no victim gets justice.  Possibly a couple of other reasons."

"But shouldn't the law prevent that?"

"It should, but it does not seem to have worked in this case."

"Are you meaning John is going to go through all of this for no reason?  We both saw just the other day how it was almost breaking him to tell us what happened.  That will not be justice for him, let alone the other victims who have come forward to tell what she did to them."

"Maybe not.  There may be a way to help all those victims who have come forward, it will just take some cooperation from a few people and depend on some things being quickly agreed to."

Lexi somewhat stunned looked at Matthew and said "You are planning something, and not telling me.  You know…"

"That you do not like it.  This I can talk about.  The law allows the military to transfer civilian criminal cases when the victim is a member of the military or for national security grounds when they are the spouse of a military member…"

Lexi's eyes widened and then it dawned on her "Are you saying because of John's rank…"

"That is an honorary rank, and for the law that has no standing to allow for the transfer.  And before you ask that does not give the basis for the transfer, and there are no military victims that would allow for it…"

It dawned on Lexi, and she hesitantly asked, "But if he and Bronwyn were married, would that change things?"

"Not normally, she is only a lieutenant, but with her father being a general and head of special forces, that changes things."

Lexi squealed and said "You mean they can get married quickly…"

"Stop getting to far ahead of yourself, there are two additional hurdles that need to be gotten through.  There will not be an issue with the legal division approving it, but then the central military command has to approve, because of her father and being a serving officer herself."

"Damn, I thought I could have some fun!"

"You might get to, but I better ring him back."

Matthew looked at a slightly disappointed Lexi, and dialled Head Honcho back.  As soon as he answered Matthew said "I can guess the problem based on what Lexi showed me.  That might be considered a failure to prevent that disclosure, but we can minimise the impact if Bronwyn and he marry."

"Marriage, my wife will kill me if that happens without her being able to be mother of the bride, let alone her brothers…"

"Registering does not mean that there cannot be a formal ceremony."

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