Legal procedure against a man accused of slaughtering a star branded sheep

The tablet lays out the legal procedures that were taken in the fase of illegal slaughtering of a sheep. The accusations and testimonies in court are phrased in direct speech. The results of the case remain open.

A reported (qabû umma) to B1, the temple administrator (šatammu) and B2, royal supervisor of the Eanna (bēl piqitti ša Eanna) that on the 8th of Abu he saw C slaughtering (nakāsu) sheep branded with the temple’s star, in addition to the sheep for the daily offerings (sattukku).

B1 and B2 questioned (šâlu) D1, the brewer of the sacrificial meal (naptannu) serving at the altars (šubtu qarābu D), and D2, the butcher (ṭābihu) who slaughtered the sacrificial (sattukku) (sheep) at the altar on the 8th day, in front of the assembly (puhru).

They made D1 and D2 swear by the gods and the king (nīšu ilāni u šarru zakāru, Š). The two testified (kânu D) that they only slaughtered one star branded sheep that day.

D1 and D2 also noted, however, that C told them he was given a perfect/flawless (tamimu) sheep* by E, who told him (i.e. E to C) to sacrifice (lit. raise, elû) it on the offering table (paššūru). This was subsequently confirmed by E.

Witnesses (mukinnu): F1, F2, F3, and F4. Scribe (ṭupšarru): G.

 * Note that the document does not refer to discrepancy between A’s and C’s, regarding whether or not the sheep was indeed branded. Given that C’s justification was corroborated by E, the assembly may have simply accepted his explanation, but this is uncertain.