Book 1 Chapter 21 The Trial - The Prosecutor and the Advocates

When the examination of the articles of material evidence was
finished, the president announced that the investigation was now
concluded and immediately called on the prosecutor to proceed,
hoping that as the latter was also a man, he, too, might feel
inclined to smoke or dine, and show some mercy on the rest. But
the public prosecutor showed mercy neither to himself nor to any
one else. He was very stupid by nature, but, besides this, he had
had the misfortune of finishing school with a gold medal and of
receiving a reward for his essay on "Servitude" when studying
Roman Law at the University, and was therefore self-confident and
self-satisfied in the highest degree (his success with the ladies
also conducing to this) and his stupidity had become
extraordinary.

When the word was given to him, he got up slowly, showing the
whole of his graceful figure in his embroidered uniform. Putting
his hand on the desk he looked round the room, slightly bowing
his head, and, avoiding the eyes of the prisoners, began to read
the speech he had prepared while the reports were being read.

"Gentlemen of the jury! The business that now lies before you is,
if I may so express myself, very characteristic."

The speech of a public prosecutor, according to his views, should
always have a social importance, like the celebrated speeches
made by the advocates who have become distinguished. True, the
audience consisted of three women--a semptress, a cook, and
Simeon's sister--and a coachman; but this did not matter. The
celebrities had begun in the same way. To be always at the height
of his position, i.e., to penetrate into the depths of the
psychological significance of crime and to discover the wounds of
society, was one of the prosecutor's principles.