By Marcel Ryan
“I will make it legal.” – Sith Lord Sidious to Nute Gunray, The Phantom Menace
Welcome back to our galactic tour of the legal profession in that Galaxy Far, Far Away! In my last article, I talked about the trial of Tycho Celchu, which takes place in 7 ABY and is further detailed in Michael Stackpole’s X-wing novel, The Krytos Trap.
This time, we’re going to jump ahead a few decades to 43.5-44 ABY (after the Battle of Yavin) in order to talk about what might be the biggest trial in the EU: the Trial of Tahiri Veila. Before we delve into it, a bit of necessary spoiler-laden background from the NJO books and beyond:
Tahiri Veila was first introduced in the Junior Jedi Knights novel, The Golden Globe, by Nancy Richardson, which was published in October 1995. Over the years, she swiftly became an out-of-universe fan favorite and an in-universe love interest for her best friend, Anakin Solo. She was a promising young Jedi in Luke Skywalker’s New Jedi Order. Tahiri suffered immensely during the Yuuzhan Vong War, both physically and mentally. To name a few things she endured: she was captured by the Vong, she was physically experimented on and she also suffered the loss of Anakin Solo.
Despite coming out of the war relatively intact, Tahiri was a changed person. In the ensuing years, her discontent and the loss she felt over Anakin only intensified. As a result, it was not very difficult for Jacen Solo-turned-Sith Lord Darth Caedus to seduce Tahiri to the Dark Side of the Force in 40-41 ABY. It’s worth mentioning for context (and law is all about context) that Jacen preyed on Tahiri’s grief by Flow-walking with her, which is a Force technique that allowed them to view past events. The point in time he would keep bringing her back to? Her final moments with Anakin Solo, right before his death.
As the Sith Lord’s apprentice, Tahiri was expected to carry out a number of tasks for Darth Caedus. One such task, which sets the stage for her subsequent trial, was an attempt to secure the continued support of the Imperial Remnant. At the time, Darth Caedus was embroiled in what became known as the Second Galactic Civil War between the Caedus-led Galactic Alliance and a Corellian-led secessionist movement known as the Confederation. Amidst that civil war, the Galactic Alliance was further split in two between Caedus and his co-Chief of State, Cha Niathal. Imperial support was critical for Caedus’ continued leadership in the Galactic Alliance and his success against the Confederation.
The leader of the Imperial Remnant, Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, refused to support Caedus. Tahiri, who was dispatched to secure his support, did not have much success. To make a long story short, Pellaeon had a very low opinion of Caedus and his increasingly dictatorial methods. After a joint meeting with the Moffs where he advised he would not be supporting Caedus, Pellaeon retired to his personal quarters. Tahiri followed him with the intention of trying yet again to change his mind. An argument between the two ensued, which escalated when Tahiri pulled out her blaster and gave Pellaeon an ultimatum: throw in with Caedus…or else.
Pellaeon responded to this threat by giving orders to the Imperial Remnant fleet to side with Cha Niathal. Immediately after, Tahiri shot and killed Pellaeon in cold blood. This fateful action would come back to haunt her a couple years later.
In the aftermath of the Second Galactic Civil War, Caedus was killed and Tahiri renounced her Sith apprenticeship. After a brief stint as a bounty hunter, Tahiri was arrested in 43 ABY by Galactic Alliance military officers and charged with the murder of Gilad Pellaeon.
Now this is where the fun begins.
Enter stage right Eramuth Bwua’tu, the lawyer I will be showcasing in this article. Bwua’tu was a male Bothan and a respected trial attorney within the Galactic Alliance. He was also the uncle of GA Admiral Nek Bwua’tu. But perhaps most importantly was his reputation and legacy. Eramuth was famous for winning every case he ever argued. He was an eccentric, elderly Bothan with old-fashioned mannerisms and an endearing charm.
“Practice means nothing when you’ve won as many cases as I have.”
- Eramuth Bwua’tu
Before we go any further, remember the Twi’lek lawyer Nawara Ven I discussed in my last article? He was keeping busy during this period. From defending Luke Skywalker and the Jedi Order against charges brought by Chief of State Daala (that’s a whole other can of worms) to defending Valin Horn who had become infected with a form of Force psychosis, Ven was working overtime for the Jedi. Naturally, it would have fallen to him to defend Tahiri. Unfortunately, during the initial proceedings in the Court of Jedi Affairs (they have their own court?!), GA Judge Arabelle Lorteli refused to let Ven represent Tahiri.
Bith lawyer Mardek Mool briefly stepped in as Tahiri’s legal counsel to fill the void left by Ven. Tahiri fired Mool after he tried to persuade her to spy on the Jedi Order for Daala in exchange for dropping the charges against her. She may be a killer, but she’s no rat!
As a result of the court’s decision and the shenanigans outlined above, Jaina Solo persuaded her fiancée and Imperial Head of State Jagged Fel to find Tahiri effective legal representation.
"I promise you that I will find her the best, most decent, most honest, hardest working lawyer I can."
"Oh. I was trying to get her someone who'd win."
- Jagged Fel and Jaina Solo on finding Tahiri legal presentation
It’s at that point that Eramuth Bwua’tu was called on to represent Tahiri. A Chagrian lawyer named Sul Dekkon represented the Galactic Alliance as prosecutor in the case. Before the trial got underway, Justice Lorteli was dismissed from duty by Chief of State Daala and replaced with the Falleen Judge Mavari Zudan.
This trial was very high profile. Likely even more so than the trial of Tycho Celchu 36 years earlier. Even though Tahiri was technically no longer a member of the Jedi Order at that point, the trial became symbolic of the Galactic Alliance’s struggle with the Jedi Order during this time period. The proceedings extended over the course of three books in the Fate of the Jedi series: Books 4, 5 and 6, respectively titled Allies (by Christie Golden), Vortex (by Troy Denning), and Conviction (by Aaron Allston). The books were released between May 2010 and May 2011. I also find it to be an interesting anecdote that all three authors of the Fate of the Jedi novels got the opportunity to flex their legal literary muscles and contribute to the courtroom drama unfolding on Coruscant (same planet as the Celchu trial).
Before we delve a bit further into the proceedings, it’s worth discussing the morality of Tahiri’s actions and how these actions will be contextualized within the proceedings. We, as the readers, know for a certainty that Tahiri executed Pellaeon in cold blood. It was not manslaughter. At the very least, it’s likely worthy of a second-degree murder charge (perhaps even first-degree murder if premeditation can be proven). But there are no such distinctions in that Galaxy Far, Far Away. Tahiri has been charged with murder, plain and simple.
Much like any murder trial in our own world, context is key. The facts are key. And regardless of whether or not the person is guilty, everyone is entitled to a defense. This simple entitlement is enshrined in the constitutions of many countries around the world and represents one of the most fundamental legal rights in any democratic system. In order to establish murder, the onus is on the prosecution to prove two components: 1) the guilty act (actus reus) and 2) the guilty mind (mens rea).
Fancy Latin terms aside, what this really boils down to is that a prosecutor not only needs to prove that the accused carried out the murder, but also that they intended to do so. And this is where Tahiri’s defense really starts to take shape. Although we know she committed the act, we must ask the following: to what extent did Tahiri intend to kill Pellaeon? Are there extenuating circumstances, such as being under the influence of the Dark Side and a Sith Lord who continually gaslit her and preyed on her grief over Anakin? Can we truly say Tahiri was responsible for this murder?
Well, let’s see how the trial plays out…
At first, as things begin to unfold, we think (and even hope) that Bwua’tu will be able to win the hearts and minds of the jury. After all, he will be the first to tell you that Tahiri Veila is a victim.
Unfortunately, things begin to go sideways when an audio recording is produced. The recording captured Tahiri’s final conversation with Pellaeon before she killed him (a scene that takes place in the novel Legacy of the Force: Revelation for those interested in checking it out). The recording is damning and we see that any sympathy Tahiri had previously gained with the jury begins to wane. It’s worth pointing out that, in our world, surprise evidence of this nature is rarely ever permitted at trial, and would likely have been disclosed during the Discovery process in the months or years leading up to trial. That said, even though it’s not very fair to blindside someone during a legal proceeding, it doesn’t make for an exciting court case.
At this point, things go from bad to worse. Tahiri becomes convinced that her lawyer, Eramuth, is beginning to drop the ball. During key moments in the witness examinations, Eramuth appears to be dozing off. Despite their losing court battle, Tahiri senses no urgency from the elderly Bothan lawyer. He acts aloof, and Tahiri begins to wonder if he is distracted.
Despite Eramuth’s advice to the contrary, Tahiri hires a second lawyer, a woman named Sardonne Sardon. How’s that for a name? In frustration, Bwua’tu attempts to quit, but (and we sometimes see this in our own world), Judge Zudan will not permit it. So, Bwua’tu decides to take a backseat to the proceedings and let Sardon take the lead. Shortly after, things take an unexpected turn:
Tahiri caught Bwua’tu’s eye and was not surprised to see him give her an encouraging nod. She smiled back at him, then said, “I think I need to dismiss a defense counsel.”
A wave of relief flooded Zudan’s face. “I’m inclined to agree.” The judge’s gaze dropped back to Bwua’tu. “Please proceed.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Tahiri turned to Sardon, then said, “I’m sorry Sardonne. You’re an excellent attorney, but I think Eramuth works better alone.”
In a move no one expects (certainly not the perpetually annoyed Judge Zudan), Tahiri changes her mind and fires Sardonne Sardon. As the trial progresses, it is revealed that much of the prosecution’s evidence has been tampered with. In fact, if you want to see a fun exchange, check out the cross-examination of imperial intelligence officer Lydea Pagorski in Vortex by Troy Denning. You won’t be disappointed.
While the trial is nearing its end, Chief of State Daala gets ousted from her position by the Jedi Order and a new Triumvirate is formed to take control of the GA, which includes Jedi Master Saba Sebatyne as one of its members. This move appears to be the proverbial nail in the coffin for Tahiri’s defense strategy. The jury completely turns against former Jedi Knight Tahiri Veila and renders its verdict. Hearts and minds were not won. Tahiri is found guilty.
“Guilty.” Each time the judge began a question, “On the charge of …” and ended it with “how do you find the defendant,” that was the word spoken by the jury spokesperson, an imposing Mon Calamari male with a forbidding stare … a stare directed at Tahiri.
Tahiri is sentenced to death and moved to the Armand Isard Correctional Facility, which also happens to conveniently house the recently-deposed Daala. Whew. I did not see that verdict coming. But never fear, intrepid reader. Even though the law failed us, justice prevails in the form of Boba Fett of all people. The fabled Mandalore himself springs Daala and Tahiri from the correctional facility and everyone’s favorite Jedi-turned Yuuzhan Vong Shaper-turned Sith apprentice-turned bounty hunter lives to fight another day.
There you have it. Much like in our own judicial system, even juries in a Galaxy Far, Far Away can be swayed by popular sentiment. Instead of deciding this case on the legal merits, the jury decided to send a message and indict the entire institution of the Jedi Order. Whether or not we think Tahiri is truly guilty of murder (both in act and in mind), we should remember that justice is not served by sacrificing a single individual’s right to an impartial jury in order to make a broader political statement.
But sometimes, that’s just how the Wookiee-ookiee crumbles.
Join me next time for part 3 of this series, where we’ll be taking a look at a lawyer with a more villainous disposition. And in the meantime, go read something with Tahiri in it!
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