Justicar Report
Chamber of Justice Communique #037a
Let it be known that on this the 6th day of March, 2013 in a free and united Brotherhood, I the Justicar of the people set forth the declaration of the Chamber of Justice and its punishment on Wuntila Arconae. Upon the conclusion of fair and just proceedings, a jury of your peers finds you:
i) Abuse of Power - You did willingly and knowingly use your position as Consul of Arcona to manipulate the results of the Arcona/Plagueis Beyond the Horizons feud. The jury finds you GUILTY
ii) Cheating - By manipulating the aforementioned feud, you did willingly and knowingly tamper with an official Brotherhood competition. The jury finds you GUILTY
iii) Disreputable Behavior - Through the manipulation of results, and your outstanding position as a Consul, you did willingly and knowingly bring credible disrepute to your clan, yourself, and the Brotherhood as a whole, as well as taint the entire feuding process for those that follow in your footsteps. The jury finds you GUILTY
Sentencing for the party is as follows: Demotion from Obelisk Primarch to Obelisk Exarch Official Letter of Reprimand One year of Probation
Chamber of Justice Communique #037b DB vs Wuntila - Justicar's Opinion
Following the Horizons Vendetta, the Consul of Arcona, Wuntila Arconae, and the Quaestor of Plagueis, Tra'an Reith began working on a feud entitled, "Beyond the Horizon." The intent was to describe the Plagueian exodus from the Jusadih system while giving members an opportunity to win high level crescents. It had been decided that in order to keep the morale of both units high, the best way to approach it would be to organize a team based event in which Plagueians and Arconans would work together on eight teams of four or five members. The scoring system proposed by the Tra'an was all but identical to the scoring system that was prepared by the Grand Master for Horizons. This system was agreed to implicitly by Wuntila. Both Tra'an and Wuntila were to act as judges as well as a third party judge from the Dark Council.
There was to be a run-on event, suggested by Wuntila, in which total scores would be split among the membership of each team, so as to not put so much weight on the run-on as opposed to the other events. That, too, was suggested by Wuntila.
Many failures of communications occurred during the feud, the largest being that neither party had been able to establish contact with a Dark Councillor for the purposes of grading. Both parties assumed the other party was doing do. At the conclusion of the event, Wuntila approached the Tra'an with a completed scoring document and an assurance that Tra'an grading had been taken into account. There were several irregularities with this document and with the placements within that document. The scoring system had been altered dramatically, doubling the points given for individual events, and multiplying the points given for participation from the implicitly agreed upon one (1) point to either five (5) or ten (10) points.
The run-on did not split points up as Wuntila had originally suggested. Instead of awarding points to a specific team and then splitting those points among the team members, it gave the full points awarded to each member of said team, to the point that the team that placed third in the run-on actually acquired more points than the second place team.
In addition, the actual placements given for each event were not weighted by agreement of both parties. Wuntila disregarded all grading by Tra'an and substituted his own. This resulted in members receiving awards that they would have otherwise not received and kept members from receiving awards that they would have otherwise received. When Tra'an questioned these irregularities, Wuntila told Tra'an that he had taken Tra'an's grading into account, and that the difference in run-on scoring would result in no changes of proportion. Based on Wuntila's claims, Tra'an agreed to the document he had been given.
Wuntila then released the document to the general membership and awards were given out. It was only then that a member noticed irregularities in the scoring and brought it to Tra'an's attention. Tra'an returned to the document and then realized that he had been deceived.
On December 31st, 2012 a complaint was issued to the Chamber of Justice and submitted logs and scoring documents. Preliminary investigations were put on hold due to #036, and resumed upon completion of the case. After reviewing the logs and scoring documents, and after consultation with the Hands of Justice, the Justicar decided the case had merit and charged Wuntila Arconae of Abuse of Power, Cheating, and Disreputable Behavior. Following being formally charged, Wuntila plead not guilty to all charges and requested a Trial by Jury. Evidence was assembled by both parties, and submitted to the Justicar to view. Random jury selection then began, with Arcona and Plagueis both being omitted from the potential jury pool. With the full documents in hand, the jury deliberated the merit on the charges, and decided unanimously guilty on all charges.
Sentencing then began, with all aspects of the case being taken into account. After considering the facts of evidence, the severity of the charges, and the spirit of competition that was violated, a one grade demotion to the rank of Exarch was deemed appropriate, along with a year long probation and an Official Letter of Reprimand.
This case was brought to my attention by someone who was heavily invested emotionally, and I deemed that it would be politically charged from the get go. While the terms of grading were agreed upon by TR, they were agreed upon under a false promise by Wuntila to deliver on a fair and balanced grading platform. The position of Consul gave Wuntila the line of grey needed to manipulate from within, and plead innocence while doing so.
Signed and sealed, Warlord Taigikori Aybara Justicar and High Protector of the Dark Brotherhood
You need to be logged in to post comments
As part of Wuntila's Defense Council we feel it is appropriate to state that an Appeal has been submitted related to this case and that we maintain his innocence.
This case is blatantly political. This ruling is the result of either incompetence or nepotism. The Chamber of Justice was supposed to protect the members of the Dark Brotherhood, not provide avenues for political subterfuge. This ruling is not a blow to the Clan Arcona, or even Wuntila. This mockery of justice is a blow to everything the Dark Brotherhood once stood for.
Before this comment thread gets out of control, I'm going to remind everyone that this was a jury trial - the guilt of the defendant was decided upon by a group of his peers, who looked at the evidence presented to them and came to their decision. This is about as fair as things can get, especially when it comes to internet clubs.
Just something to keep in mind.
Just wondering Kir,
About fairness, if the Appeals Panel decides errors were made and overturns the decision. This goes back to a retrial before a jury. Having posted this report though, hasn't the JST just influenced every possible member that could be selected for that jury?
If Taig knew an appeal was made, shouldn't he have waited with publishing this report?
Just asking, since you brought up fairness.
"This case was brought to my attention by someone who was heavily invested emotionally, and I deemed that it would be politically charged from the get go. While the terms of grading were agreed upon by TR..."
Ood, that should tell you all you need to know about fairness regarding this trial.
Not to mention, the changes made by Wuntila to the scoring actually decreased the percentage by which Arcona outscored Plagueis. This "impartial jury" somehow considered it cheating that Wuntila acted in such a manner as to lower his own Clan's lead over the competition.
Talk about disreputable behavior.
"While the terms of grading were agreed upon by TR..." That should have removed any need for there to be a case. By this logic, we could have charges for almost every vendetta this organization has held.
This is a dismaying and disheartening perversion of justice. Taigikori, you should be ashamed of yourself.
I know nothing of this case and wasn't around for this event. But i do agree that if an appeal is brought forth, publishing these proceedings does taint a new jury pool. But so does some of these comments.
From past cases i have read, pretty much all are guilty once it goes to trial due to overmounted evidence.
What i like to know is the people who got awards, did the have them repossessed? I ask this cause they are now victims. They felt they won them fair and square snd now they lose out.
What should have happened in this event, as i hope in future events, that the grading done by a neutral party with no ties to the participants
I would like to believe that members of the Brotherhood are capable of making an objective decision based on the evidence put forth to them, and as such, I don't think a previous guilty verdict will influence them.
I think for everything that the Jury found him guilty of, he should be gald that he didnt get a wrose punshiment, come on a demotion and a year of probation? For all his friends and loyal subjects out there just accept that he did wrong. I may be from Plagueis and seeing this did come to shock me, but i dont dislike the man, just dissapointed.
None of his supporters take offense at his punishment, Silent. What's a single demotion over such an expansive career in the Dark Brotherhood? However, something like this will forever taint the reputation of a man who - based on the evidence - is entirely innocent of the charges. We're talking about someone who basically had to do the entirety of the feud administration for both houses, because his counterpart disappeared for 75% of the events. So he made changes to the scoring to better fit the effort involved in each event - and then ran those very changes by Tra'an, who approved them (as is verified by the evidence the defense provided). And for that, he was found guilty of cheating. It's a travesty, and the person(s) I would expect any rational observer to be disappointed in is the very jury and justice system that convicted him.
Taig, you're a stain.
Okay guys, this has now declined into the form of personal attacks...on the news page. I get the unity you all share and setting aside the mess that is this situation (as I have yet to see more than this report) I think support for a fellow member should be praised. That said, we all need to set an example and and personal attacks are not going to get the constructive change you so desire. I therefore ask you please cease doing this, especially on the news page. In the meantime, direct your support to this appeal that is suppose to be submitted and let Wun know he has your support.
Raiju, this whole case is a personal attack. It's as frivolous as it is baseless and the fact that it's been allowed to go on this long is laughable. There are so many inconsistencies in this case that it makes a mockery of the Dark Covenant - something we split from the EH for. The CoJ has, in my eyes, turned away from an institution which protects members, and instead is used simply as a forum to do nothing more than harass and witch-hunt members. The members of the Jury should feel shame, and frankly, calling them Sam's 'peers' is a further insult to the man. This is beyond a joke - it's pitiable.
Brethren,
Every time that a high profile case comes through the Chamber, the judicial process is tested. Every time that a friend, a brother, an ally is found guilty when you personally do not agree, we rally to their support and scream bias.
I understand this.
This is simply not the case here. A randomly selected jury was assembled. The Hands of Justice supplied arguments and rebuttals as dictated by the Covenant. The jurors found Wuntila guilty based on those arguments.
Many things could be said about this trial, but you can not say that procedure was not followed. The Covenant was followed, to the letter. Taigikori did his job, despite threats from all sides.
Does this mean that everything went the way that I wanted it to? That it went the way that anyone personally wanted it to? Hardly. As I said, cases such as these shed light on our process and show us where it can be improved upon. And rest assured, that we will always work to make them better.
To say that this trial makes a mockery of or defies the Covenant is a lie, steeped in bias. To equate an unfavorable outcome with the Orwellian Gestapo techniques of a decade old Hammer administration is hyperbole and an emotional appeal. To attack the principles here with ad hominem assaults is sophomoric and wrong.
Read the Covenant. It is not perfect, but the Justicar's duty is to follow it to the letter. He did just that.
The Covenant does not apply only when it suits you and your friends.
Hear hear.
On behalf of Wuntila's Defense Council:
We understand this decision presents many challenges and difficulties on multiple levels that many people may disagree with it. Wuntila's defense has faith that the Appeals system will conduct itself properly, objectively reviewing our concerns. We appreciate any support that many of you have voiced for Wuntila. However, while it may be difficult, please refrain from attacking the Chamber of Justice. It is not the intention of Wuntila or his defense to incite a riot against the Chamber of Justice and, while I'm sure everyone has the best of intentions, raging against the Chamber of Justice in this News Thread will not help us to find true justice in this case.
Any statements of support, either publicly on this thread or privately in an email to Wuntila, are welcome. Let's stay classy San D- ... I mean DJB.
This is outrageous. I do not believe anything bad about Taig; He's just doing his job, and of course he'll have his own opinion. However, I know Wun, andI don't believe Wun is guilty. None of these things match his character at all. So, to all of you Arconans, don't let this act discourage you. Wun already wanted us to fight harder to win this vendetta. This incident should make you want to hit it even harder. On a standpoint at which I mean no offense to the jurors or any other members of this brotherhood, I support Wuntila fully.
This quite literally happens every time the Chamber of Justice and Justicar have to make an unpopular decision. If you go back and look at cases in the past you'll see it again and again. People always react this way to these types of trials. In two weeks this will basically be entirely forgotten.
Not by me.
tried to find the "like" button on Kir's post, then i realized this is the DB site not FB.
Kir, while the rest of the DB might forget, Arcona will not. Every time we see our Consul in his "new" rank, we will remember. Every time a Plagueian is noted in a news post, we will remember. Every time the Justicar announces a new case, we will remember. This felt like a personal attack on our beloved Consul. Such assaults are not quickly forgotten.
Kir, this isn't an unpopular decision. That statement implies that there is any amount of legitimacy to these charges. This ruling, even the fact that these fallacious charges far enough to generate a ruling, is in every sense of the phrase a perversion of justice.
Everyone, enough.
I will repeat Valhavoc's statement.
We understand this decision presents many challenges and difficulties on multiple levels that many people may disagree with it. Wuntila's defense has faith that the Appeals system will conduct itself properly, objectively reviewing our concerns. We appreciate any support that many of you have voiced for Wuntila. However, while it may be difficult, please refrain from attacking the Chamber of Justice. It is not the intention of Wuntila or his defense to incite a riot against the Chamber of Justice and, while I'm sure everyone has the best of intentions, raging against the Chamber of Justice in this News Thread will not help us to find true justice in this case.
Any statements of support, either publicly on this thread or privately in an email to Wuntila, are welcome.
Thank you.
GM Muz stated what i was thinking. I hope that we can all put this aside and move on. I don't know the defendant but from reading the passion of his supporters, i have no doubt he will redeem himself and earn back his rank and respect from everyone in the DJB.
And Wuntilla, i hope to one day fight alongside you in the future of the Brotherhood
Everyone, enough.
I will repeat Valhavoc's statement.
We understand this decision presents many challenges and difficulties on multiple levels that many people may disagree with it. Wuntila's defense has faith that the Appeals system will conduct itself properly, objectively reviewing our concerns. We appreciate any support that many of you have voiced for Wuntila. However, while it may be difficult, please refrain from attacking the Chamber of Justice. It is not the intention of Wuntila or his defense to incite a riot against the Chamber of Justice and, while I'm sure everyone has the best of intentions, raging against the Chamber of Justice in this News Thread will not help us to find true justice in this case.
Any statements of support, either publicly on this thread or privately in an email to Wuntila, are welcome.
Thank you.