The Sentence

((OOC NOTE: If you haven't yet read it, I would recommend clicking "Previous Post" to read "The Trial" before reading further, so as to not spoil the surprise!))

The five officers who had come to a decision came into the room from the antechamber in a line, prompting a silence to quickly fall over the assembled crowd. The JAG officers took their place and Rear Admiral Pierson signalled all to be silent.

"We have come to a decision," he began. "It is not a simple one, so please bear with us and reserve any reaction until we are completely finished with the verdict."

He then began to read from a PADD. "Those of us in the JAG office recognize that certain rules and laws were broken here, by the defendant. We can not simply ignore these acts and set a precedent that would allow them to be repeated whenever an officer feels it is justified to do so."

He shifted his gaze directly to Sorripto, as he added, "However, we must also recognize that many of the acts committed here were not only successful in bringing about the safe return of Joseph Daystrom Sisko, but it also resulted in the dissolution of Section 31. We do not believe Sorripto acted in malice or intent to harm the Federation, and we also believe that he was under significant duress at the time."

"The judgement of this military tribunal is such: On the charge of treason, the defendant has been found... not guilty."

A brief stare was elicited from the Rear Admiral as a few in the crowd were not able to contain their surprise or relief, and the serious face silenced any further disruption.

The JAG continued. "On the charge of murder in the first degree, the defendant has been found... not guilty for reasons of self defense and defense of Federation lives and property."

A general feeling of heaviness was lifted from the courtroom after those two charges were read. They were the most dire and the most serious, and could have resulted in a long prison time for the Cardassian.

Rear Admiral Pierson then moved on to the less serious charges.

"On the charge of sabotage, the defendant has been found... guilty. However, this court recognizes that the acts were part of a necessary operation toward the goal of gaining the Horizon Children's trust, so in this charge, the sentence will be partially commuted."

"On the charge of disobeying orders, the defendant has been found... guilty on all counts."

"And, finally, on the charge of deriliction of duty, the defendant has been found... guilty on all counts."

Before anyone could react, he quickly followed up with the sentencing phase.

"Sorripto will hereby be sentenced to a term of no less than six months and no more than two years in the maximum security penal colony of Jaros II. Upon being released, he will be given the option to return to active duty upon completion of a four-month course at Starfleet Academy dealing with ethics and Starfleet regulations to make sure he is reminded of the importance of these things. Upon completion of the course, he may be placed on active duty at the rank of Ensign and be given a new start to allow him the opportunity to earn back Starfleet's trust and the pips that will represent that trust."

"Bailiff, please escort the prisoner to the brig. Court is recessed."

And with that, the JAG exited the courtroom, followed by the other officers, and the bailiff and two security officers approached Sorripto and Torva, signalling Sorripto to go with them.