I have been discussing this matter with Sir Alan Lauderdale's Adjutant, since the man himself has now passed, and he is in agreement with Mister Palmer.
What we have here is a clear desire to use deadly force, sanctioned by the Bretonian Government, against peaceful citizenry who have complied with the law.
There is no evidence my client was going anywhere near Kusari, Two thousand said in this fashion was clearly intended to reflect the sale price of the Gold on the station designated, not the overall profit margin. Your lawyer is jumping to conclusions based on circumstantial evidence, as, I will wager, did Sgt. Hone.
On the matter of licenses to carry Gold through Tau-31, when intercepted and told of this matter there was initial confusion, but my client stopped, turned around and headed back to the nearest official authourity to confirm this. Complying with the law.
No, he was in Bretonian space at the time of interdiction, having NOT crossed the marked line or jump hole, this is clearly prior to the action of violating any law. Intent cannot be proven, and it certainly cannot be used as justification for attempted murder.
It can safely be argued that Sgt. Hone willfully targeted a vessel for his own gain, seeking to hide, now, behind officials all too eagre to hang an innocent man.
Where is the evidence of intended destination, where is the evidence that Mister Jethro crossed the blockade with an illegal cargo? There is none, no, your officer had a suspicion, and instead of investigating it, he resorted to opening fire, destroying the ship and attempting to murder a man whose only crime was wanting to get away from a blood thirsty maniac in a ship obviously designed to destroy Kusari Capital Class Vessels.
Haul this man up on charges, do the right thing. The Director of MI5 stated this was a mistake, the former Commissioner of the BPA stated that this was wrong, I will have Lauderdales Adjutant testify confirming this if I have to.