Cooper v.

Frankenstein
Prosecution

Defense:

Victor
Alphonse
William
Henry
Waldman

Prosecution:

Monster
Elizabeth
Justine
Caroline
Old Man De Lacey
Krempe
Felix, Agatha, Safie
Magistrate

Opening statement:
Prosecuting Attorney: Thank you, your honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the
jury, we are here today for one reason, and one reason only. Four of the
people you see before you are dead. William Frankenstein, Henry Clerval,
and Elizabeth Lavenza were murdered in cold blood, and Justine Moritz was
falsely accused of murder and executed. All four of these gruesome deaths
were a direct result of the defendant Victor Frankensteins fiendish work. The
defendant used ulterior scientific methods to create a monster by
reanimating corpses, and this monster went on to kill these innocent victims.
Mr. Frankenstein did not inform the authorities of his creation, nor did he
attempt to protect Ms. Lavenza from her execution. The defendants criminal
negligence and creation of a dangerous and unstable monster are why the
prosecution is charging Victor Frankenstein with involuntary manslaughter.

Justine

PA: The prosecution calls Justine Moritz to the stand.

Ms. Moritz, what is your relation to the defendant?
Justine: I was the Frankensteins maid for several years. I was practically a
part of the family, and had a very good relationships with all the members of
the family.
PA: Now, it is to my understanding that you were executed for a crime you
did not commit, is that correct?
Justine: Yes.
PA: And what was the crime that you were convicted of?

Justine: Murdering young William Frankenstein.

PA: Of course, you were innocent. It was actually Frankensteins monster that
committed the heinous crime. Now, upon your arrest and trial, where was
Victor Frankenstein? Was he studying at the university in Ingolstadt?
Justine: No, he was present for the trial. He visited me often with Elizabeth.
PA: And at any point during the proceedings, did Victor proclaim any guilt for
the crime? Did he at any time come forth with his monsters creation, an act
that surely would have freed you from the accusations of Williams death?
Justine: No. Victor stayed silent. Not once during the trial did he claim
responsibility for the death of poor William. After all weve been through,
even as I stood in court and was convicted of a crime I didnt commit, he said
not a word, and he let me die.
PA: His silence meant your execution. Im very sorry dear Justine. Your death
was completely preventable. The prosecution rests, your honor.

Elizabeth

PA: The prosecution calls Elizabeth Lavenza to the stand.

What is your relation to the defendant?
Elizabeth: I was adopted by the Frankensteins at a young age. I grew up
with Victor, and after he finally came home after this whole mess, we were
married.
PA: Did you love him?
Elizabeth: I did, with all my heart.

PA: And what happened after the wedding?

Elizabeth: I was killed. By his monster.
PA: Were you aware that Victor was creating a monster behind your back?
Elizabeth: Absolutely not. He said that he was studying in Ingolstadt, and
then he went to England with his dear friend Henry Clerval, but I had no idea
that he was spending his time attending to that thing.
PA: During your extensive time together, did the defendant ever warn you
about the monster and what it was capable of?
Elizabeth: No. Until my death, I had no idea that it even existed. If Victor
had told me what happened, we couldve postponed the wedding, talk to the
authority, try to get help. But alas, it was not so. Victor was more concerned
with quarrelling with the creature than warning me or Henry about anything.

Caroline

PA: The prosecution calls Caroline Frankenstein to the stand.

Madam, what is your relationship to the defendant?
Caroline: I am the defendants mother.

Old Man De Lacey

PA: The prosecution calls De Lacey to the stand.

Sir, could you describe to the court how you became involved in the case?
De Lacey: Of course. I lived in a cottage in the woods after my family was
exiled from France. Unbeknownst to us, the monster created by Frankenstein
lived in a hovel next to us for almost a year.
PA: Did he ever make contact with your family?
De Lacey: Yes, he did. One day, while the rest of my family was away, he
came to talk to me, hoping that Id turn a blind eye to his appearance, and
sympathize with him.

Magistrate

PA: The prosecution calls Magistrate Kirwin to the stand.

Mr. Kirwin, how did you get involved in the case?
Magistrate: The defendant came to my town, accused of murdering Henry
Clerval. I was the judge in charge of that case.

PA: Obviously, Mr. Frankenstein was did not directly murder his friend Henry,
it was his monster. But, did the defendant any indication of guilt in the
matter?
Magistrate: In fact, he did. Frankenstein blatantly stated multiple times that
he was guilty for the deaths being discussed again.
PA: So the defendant verbally confessed? Could you tell the court exactly
what he said?
Magistrate: Of course. Upon seeing Henrys body, he stated, Have my
murderous machinations deprived you also, my dearest Henry, of life? Two I
have already destroyed; other victims await their destiny.
PA: So the defendant knew that his conduct had threatened the lives of
others. Thank you. The prosecution rests, your honor.

The Monster:

PA: The prosecution calls Frankensteins monster to the stand.

I understand that you were created by the defendant, is that correct?
Monster: Yes, sir.
PA: Can you describe to the court some of your earliest memories?
Monster: Certainly. My earliest memories are hazy. After my creation, I had
no control over my senses, and they all seemed to blend together in my
mind. I remember an uncontrollable thirst and hunger came to me, and I

searched desperately for food. In the forest, I ate nuts and berries, and I
drank from streams.
PA: In the forest? Are you saying that after creating you, Mr. Frankenstein did
not care for you?
Monster: Victor Frankenstein cared nothing for me. I was born to the world
through him, and instead of nurturing me like a father should, I was cast
away as a wretch to fend for myself.
PA: Do you think this neglect affect you in any way?
Monster: Absolutely. While living in the forest, I came upon a hovel, and
lived next to a family in hiding for almost a year, where I learned to speak
and read. In a pocket of the clothes I had taken from Victors laboratory, I
found the journal that he kept while he was creating me. He was disgusted
by my very being, repulsed by the very idea of my life. I was sickened by his
reaction. Even Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and
encourage him, but I was solitary and abhorred. His rejection of me helped
me see the treachery of the human species and sent me over the deep end. I
then killed his younger brother William, and his friend Justine took the blame.
PA: When you first met Victor Frankenstein after your time in the woods,
what was his reaction?
Monster: He cursed me, and tried to attack me.
PA: And what request did you make of the defendant?
Monster: I asked him to create another being like me, a female, to alleviate
the isolation and utter loneliness that I felt. At first, he refused my request,
but eventually, he relented and agreed. In return, I vowed that we would flee
to the jungles of South America, never to be seen by humanity again. I
followed him to England and then Scotland, where he worked on my future
partner. I delighted in knowing that I would never be alone again, that we
would both have each others company. For a brief period, I was actually

happy. One night, I came to his window to see his progress, and to gaze upon
my mate. However, upon seeing me, my creator grabbed my partner and
ripped her apart, limb from limb. Furious with his actions, I killed his friend
Henry and his wife Elizabeth.
PA: If Victor had never destroyed your mate, or if he had shown more
kindness to you since your conception, would you have killed William, Henry,
or Elizabeth?
Monster: No, sir. I would have been content to live with Victor or my partner.
PA: Thank you. The prosecution rests, your honor.