“c1″> 

“c1″>"Venerable jury, the defendant’s testimony
made clear that there only can be one decision for you. Xena of
Amphipolis is to be declared not guilty of the charge of multiple
murder. She also freely admitted being guilty of sacrilegious
behaviour in three cases. Xena’s testimony also showed that
there are extenuating circumstances, the defendant not only was
under the influence of drugs, she also stood under the spell of a
shamaness using black magic. Please take this into consideration
when you decide upon the sentence." Ephiny sat down ignoring
Xena’s angry stare.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, venerable jury," Chandala
began, "I stand before you not only as the prosecutor’s
assistant but also as an eye witness of sorts. It was me who filed
the last two charges. – Ten years ago, I was the
warrior's apprentice to the weapons’ master of the
Northern Amazons. When Xena was living with us, she spent most of
her time with Queen Cyane. To me Xena and the Queen were the most
beautiful women in the world, they were gorgeous, but side by side
they were breathtaking. I followed them around as often as I could.
I didn’t even dare to look the Queen in her eyes, Xena was
more accessible, and she even gave me some lessons in stealth and
tracking. I had a big crush on her.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"One day I found her footsteps in the forest and
decided to follow her trail. It wasn’t easy but finally I
stood at the edge of the funeral ground. I almost stumbled over the
dead body of my Mistress. I saw the two guards in the middle of the
clearing and Queen Cyane with Xena’s sword protruding her
chest. The shock was too much for me. I fainted. When I opened my
eyes again, I was lying next to the Queen on the ground. I knew
that Xena had murdered them all and I vowed to Artemis that one day
she would pay for her crimes.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The other day when I saw how Xena risked her own
life over and over again to fight our enemies I knew that she had
the skill to kill the best fighters of the Amazon nation in fair
combat. It was already too late to withdraw the charge. All I can
do now is to join the plea of Xena’s defender. Xena of
Amphipolis is responsible for the death of Queen Cyane and the ten
members of her council and the two guards but she didn’t
murder them. They died in a honourable fight, a death befitting an
Amazon warrior."