IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF RIDGEWAY
IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF RIDGEWAY
STATE OF RIDGEWAY,
v.
TOOLOW_TERRAIN ET AL,
Defendants
___________________________/
CRIMINAL DIVISION
CASE NO.: RSC-CM-2278
JUDGE: HON. BOMMES
COURT OPINION ON THE CULPABILITY OF DEFENDANTS
THIS MATTER came before the Court on the court’s own motion. This trial was held
over discord, due to the number of defendants charged. Over the span of 4 months, the state has
presented their case. Defendants have made it clear they wish to proceed pro-se. Defendants have
chosen to waive their right to an opening statement by not responding within 24-48 hours despite
being pinged and notified of their rights on more than one occasion.
The court has heard all witness testimony and has observed all relevant evidence. The
court sees no reason to exclude any evidence or testimony, nor has either defendant made a
motion to such extent. Therefore, the testimony provided by the witnesses and the evidence as
presented in the discovery by the state is deemed valid and uncontested by the defense.
I. BACKGROUND
The court has heard witness testimony from CID Investigator CheezIt110, as well as from
Deputy Arthur_Chen. They will hereafter be referred to as Expert Witness and Lay Witness, in
that order. The court also was provided a video (hereafter referred to as “Exhibit A”) of the
incident depicting the events leading up to the charges brought against them by the Ridgeway
Department of Justice.
The witnesses have testified to the events and specifics as they observed it. CheezIt110
described how he interpreted the contents of exhibit A, this being: “a recording of toolow_terrain
stabbing Arthur_Chen, who then attempts to arrest him. Then, iamthebestlaith, mxrlsx, and
saintedmike (who was known as vktyz at the time), showed up in a gray gridlock and began
shooting, killing Arthur_Chen. Then a RNG sergeant, RoyaltySyn, showed up.
SaintedMike/vktyz, Mxrlsx, and WithinEvii shot and killed him”. According to the Expert
Witness, the suspects were all in Possession of Stetson M2-A automatic rifles.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Under the Ridgeway Rules of Evidence rule 44(a), the court has no reason to doubt the
testimony of the expert witness. The witness’ background in Law Enforcement and Criminal
Investigation is deemed appropriate for the court to rely on the expert witness’ statement that the
suspects were in possession of M2-A automatic rifles. In short, the witness’ last statement is
assumed as fact by the court, based on their background.
After the court’s review of Exhibit A, it has become apparent that due to the angle of the
footage and the lack of distinctive characteristics to identify the defendants in question, it is
impossible to find the defendants guilty of First Degree murder. This is due to it being unclear
who pulled the trigger from the footage alone.
Furthermore, the court has seen no distinctive mention of one particular defendant, this
being iamthebestlaith, of having murdered anyone outright. The footage shows that he does not
seem to be firing even a single round during the entire encounter. Additionally, neither the expert
witness nor lay witness have testified about the supposed part that defendant iamthebestlaith
would have played in this encounter.
In the case that the fact finder does not believe the evidence warrants the charge in
question, but does support a conviction on a lesser charge, they are required to consider the
option for conviction on a lesser charge (see Beck v. Alabama, 447 U.S. 625 (1980)).
III. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the court finds the following:
● Iamthebestlaith
○ Due to the absence of conclusive evidence regarding his role in the killing
of the deputy and/or the RNG sergeant, the verdict for the count of first
degree murder is NOT GUILTY.
○ Due to sufficient evidence from the expert witness, the court sees no
reason to doubt that the defendants were indeed in possession of (illegal)
Stetson M2-A assault rifles. As such, the verdict for the count of illegal
possession of government issued equipment is GUILTY.
○ Due to the fact that the defendant is not seen firing a single bullet in the
entire clip, as well as the absence of any testimony indicating the contrary,
the verdict for the count of unlawful discharge of a firearm is NOT
GUILTY
● SaintedMike
○ The footage does not show the defendant actually killing anyone,
however, they can be seen discharging their firearm into the direction of
the responding national guard/law enforcement personnel. The court can
only conclude that this was done with the attempt to severely wound or
kill them. HOWEVER due to the fact that this behavior fits a different
charge, the court finds him GUILTY of a lesser charge1, this being
attempted murder.
○ Due to sufficient evidence from the expert witness, the court sees no
reason to doubt that the defendants were indeed in possession of (illegal)
Stetson M2-A assault rifles. As such, the verdict for the count of illegal
possession of government issued equipment is GUILTY.
○ Due to the fact that the defendant can be seen discharging one or more
rounds from their firearm within the confines of Palmer, the verdict for the
count of unlawful discharge of a firearm is GUILTY.
SO ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED in chambers in Milton, Ridgeway
County, Ridgeway, this 28th day of June, 2024.
/s/ bommes
BOMMES
MAGISTRATE JUDGE
Copies to: Commander1567, Prosecutor
SaintedMike, Defendant (pro-se)
Iamthebestlaith, Defendant (pro-se)
1 see Beck v. Alabama, 447 U.S. 625 (1980)
