BREAKING NEWS! Blackwood Innocent!

30 SEPT 1921

The Wizengamot has ruled:
Blackwood is Not Guilty

By Tanner Randolph, Reporter

This was an early start for those attending the first in what has been described as the trials of the decade. It is a day that many have been waiting for, since those terrifying events of March 1921 where hundreds of children were put in mortal danger, three innocent young girls were brutally tortured, and a man lost his life due to outrageous failings, by Hogwarts staff on the night in question and during the many months and years leading up to it.
Officials from the Ministry of Magic and the Department for Magical Education have spent many months putting together a case to finally bring Hogwarts to task over the multiple failings that have led to this tragedy. Daily Prophet readers will be aware of the events that led up to the change in school administration in September 1920, when many felt the Ministry should have taken the school under its full jurisdiction, but it was allowed to continue as its own entity and if letters to the paper are those of popular opinion these events further show why the school should solely be run by the Ministry.

The Facilitator for the first trial is the popular Chief of Staff for St. Mungo’s Dorian Montreaux, known widely for being one of the youngest in that role in the hospital’s history. Despite his young age from the moment the trial started you could see why he had been given the role of Facilitator in today’s trial. He started by setting out the expectations for members of the Wizengamot and for representatives for both sides.
The Defendant, Gideon Blackwood, Deputy Head of Hogwarts and current head of Slytherin was present as was his father, Rupert Blackwood. The Facilitator laid down the charges as first-degree manslaughter under Magical Statute 345.B and child endangerment under Magical Statute 102.A.
Blackwood sat at the centre of the room with a cold look in what could only be considered a perfectly tailored suit, clearly flaunting his wealth in front of the Wizengamot, he took his seat with an air of sullenness and spent much of the session devoid of emotion and remorse. He is being represented by Corvus Penhaligon, clearly hoping that money and image would help him buy his way out of trouble.
Facilitator Montreaux set out the events as they occurred on that terrible night, that Blackwood had allegedly used excessive force and as such these actions put the lives of three innocent girls in danger. From Facilitator Montreaux’s moving initial speech it showed how the Ministry is ensuring Hogwarts and its staff have a greater level of accountability.
The barrister for the Defence tried to lay the blame for the events at the foot of the Ministry, blaming them for an unsafe learning environment when it has been clear for many years that the Ministry has not been welcome in the school. Mr. Penhaligon for the defence tried to paint the defendant as an altruistic individual who used himself as a shield not a ‘Hooray Henry’ looking for an excuse to charge into battle regardless of consequences or others safety. That Blackwood’s actions were those worthy of praise not condemnation or accountability.
It was clear to those in the court that the Facilitator found these claims of heroism hard to swallow, especially how the defence tried to assail Blackwood of the blame by claiming inexperience in the role made diligence not a priority. Highlighting the case where Ministry oversight would have been a help to the children at the school and as an ongoing concern for anyone who has their children at the school.
The first witness was called and in a surprise twist, it was the Honourable Minister for Magic Merrow, where the only question he was asked was why he had hired Blackwood, and deemed him competent for the job and as someone who would keep the children safe. Something Blackwood failed to do.
Blackwood himself was then placed on the stand. He began a tale of shifted blame and finger pointing first at the Headmistress and then at the Minister for Magic himself, blaming him for arriving with no Aurors. Which was later corrected as it seemed the staff member who had contacted the ministry had been incompetent and given incorrect instructions.
No further witnesses were called to the stand, and the defence was allowed to present its closing statement.
The Wizengamot then sat in recess for 3 hours as they debated the evidence and statements. And in a shock result showing that indeed weaker members of the Wizengamot can be swayed by money and titles, Gideon Blackwood was found innocent and allowed to return to his duties at the school. A fact many parents will find horrifying and will no doubt be looking to remove their children from the school unless the Ministry steps in soon to save it.