- "Don't ever say that. Not out loud, not to yourself, not when you're alone, not even when you're asleep. You're not qualified to judge whether you're guilty."
- ―Mardek Mool to Tahiri Veila
Mardek Mool was a Bith who represented the former Jedi Tahiri Veila during her trial after her first lawyer, Nawara Ven, was prohibited by the Galactic Alliance courts to represent her. Mool convinced Veila to stop admitting her guilt of killing Supreme Commander Gilad Pellaeon, reasoning that she was under the influence of Sith Lord Darth Caedus.
Mool advised Veila to take a plea deal that Chief of State Natasi Daala's government was offering, because though he had years experience, she needed someone with decades experience. If the case went to trial he "wouldn't even know what the rules were."
Biography
- "Tahiri, do you actually want to live long enough to figure out whether you deserve to live?"
- ―Mardek Mool and Tahiri Veila
Tahiri Veila, Mardek Mool's client
Mardek Mool was a Bith public defender assigned to represent Tahiri Veila, a former Jedi accused of assassinating Supreme Commander Gilad Pellaeon, during her trial. He took over the case after Veila’s original attorney, Nawara Ven, was barred by the Galactic Alliance courts due to his ties to the Jedi Order, which were deemed a conflict of interest.[1]
At Mool’s first meeting with his client in her detention cell on a medium security facility on the planet Coruscant, he advised her to stop openly admitting guilt for Pellaeon’s death, warning that doing so could make her appear guilty to a jury through her demeanor and body language. He also cautioned her that the Galactic Alliance might have planted listening devices in her cell. To strengthen his argument, Mool urged Veila to genuinely believe that she had been manipulated by Darth Caedus—possibly through the Force—and therefore had not been fully in control of her actions.[1]
Mool also recommended that Veila accept a plea deal offered by someone in Chief of State Natasi Daala's government: if she agreed to act as an informant and gather evidence of crimes committed by the Jedi involving the Galactic Alliance, her sentence would be reduced and she would be transferred to a minimum-security facility of her choice. Although it was the best option to avoid the death penalty, Veila rejected the proposal.[1] Mool would later be replaced by Eramuth Bwua'tu as Veila's legal counsel.[2]
Personality and traits
- "I just wish I had more to offer. I want to help you—I truly do"
- ―Mardek Mool to Tahiri Veila
Mool proved to be a competent, dedicated, and genuinely good-hearted attorney. From the outset, he showed a sincere determination to represent Veila to the best of his ability, taking her case seriously despite the political pressure and public scrutiny surrounding it. He was also secure enough to admit that his despite his years of experience in the legal profession, Veila’s situation truly required someone with decades more—and he admitted this openly and without hesitation despite possibly losing her as a client.[1]
Behind the scenes
Mardek Mool was a character created by author Aaron Allston for the 2010 novel Fate of the Jedi: Backlash, the fourth installment in Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series.[1]
Appearances
- Fate of the Jedi: Backlash (and audiobook) (First appearance)
- Fate of the Jedi: Allies (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)