A Legal Question Arising from "Rapture"

[thomascrown.livejournal.com]

Since President Roslin granted everyone who collaborated with the Cylons a blanket pardon, wouldn't that include Baltar? True, the Galactica's brig might be the safest place for him, but none the less... Any thoughts?

Comments

[hockeygoon08.livejournal.com]

Eh, I wouldn't think that Baltar would get a pardon at all. No one's really liked him from the get go. They're at least going to give a good once over, but I'd almost label him as a traitor. He did spend a lot of time on the Basestar.

Then again, Baltar is always looking out for #1. So I'm sure he'll try and lie his way out of being blown out an air lock.

IMO.

[zorb]

Baltar doesn't know that, and it looks like he's going to be a secret prisoner. If there's anyone in the fleet who would stand up for him (and that's a long shot), they won't even know he's around.

[mb2u]

I doubt he'll remain a secret for long. And when people find out...

[widget285.livejournal.com]

Technically, yes. But that pardon covered those involved in the events during the occupation of New Caprica. Since that time, Baltar has continued to work with the Cylons, seemingly of his own free will (that's a issue up for debate, of course) and has, in fact, been betraying all of humanity on much larger terms by helping the Cylons to find Earth. So, there are arguably two crimes involved, only one of which would be covered by the pardon.

Given that the purpose of the pardon was to put an end to the secret tribunals and vigilantism as well as to avoid potentially years of drawn out trials, that makes sense. But Baltar would be another matter entirely, not only because *his* trial could become a symbol of the justice denied to say many others and could provide at least a measure of closure - something the secret trials didn't. Collaborators died, but the vast majority of people who suffered until Cylon rule were never permitted to witness this outcome, to know that those who had collaborated had been punished. So, no closure. Baltar's trial would provide a measure of that at least.

Besides, what are they going to do with him? Keep him locked up permanently? Because you know the minute he's released *someone* is going to try to kill him. Too many people remember him and blame him for what happened on New Caprica. Being tried - and cleared - is the only hope he has of surviving.

Well Put.

[ismilesometimes.livejournal.com]

I guess I needn't voice my interpretation, as you have already so eloquently made my argument.

[http://users.livejournal.com/ar_feiniel_/]

Yeah, it should apply to Baltar - I've been wondering about it as well.

But I have a feeling she's gonna make an exeption in this case...