Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 479 - 202 Shi Liangping: Are You The Lawyer, Or Am I?_4

The Judgment Chief spoke again, making inquiries. Following a renewed investigation by the public security organs, it was determined that the total amount Meng Lei had defrauded reached 820,000 yuan.

"I have no objections."

In the defendant’s dock, Meng Lei glanced at Tian Shulan and shamelessly admitted his guilt. After the last court session, he had a detailed discussion with his legal aid lawyer and learned some astounding news: the penalty for an instigator is the same as for the crime instigated. In other words, the more he was sentenced, the more Tian Shulan would be sentenced as well—just a few years less than him.

"I do not plead guilty!"

However, Tian Shulan stood up, attempting to argue, "The money was borrowed in Meng Lei’s personal name. At most, I was aware of it; it has nothing to do with me."

Before she could finish, a prosecutor stood up and began to question her. "Following the investigation by the public security organs, it was discovered that you were involved in spending every penny Meng Lei borrowed. According to chat records and text messages, there were several occasions when you were short of money and actively urged Meng Lei to borrow. We’ve reviewed all the chat records but have found no evidence that you persuaded, stopped, or refused Meng Lei’s borrowing..."

The prosecutor’s statement was incisive, striking right at the heart of the matter and instantly leaving Tian Shulan at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Tian Shulan’s lawyer hurriedly stood up. "What our client means is that there is no causal relationship between her and Meng Lei’s borrowing behavior. That is, even if she did not incite him, Meng Lei would still have borrowed money. She merely enjoyed the conveniences arising from their marital relationship; Meng Lei’s criminal actions are unrelated to her. Furthermore, our client is willing to return all the borrowed money..."

Compared to Tian Shulan’s statement, the lawyer’s speech was more succinct and clear, attempting to argue away the instigation. For this case, as long as no instigation was found, Tian Shulan would only need to bear responsibility for the crime of refusing to execute a judgment.

「In the college alumni group chat.」

"Goodness! The lawyer Tian Shulan hired is truly one of the top lawyers in Yangcheng. The moment he spoke, I felt he made a lot of sense."

"Won’t they overturn the case for her? We were supposed to go to jail together, but she’s trying to get her verdict overturned."

"I suddenly feel a bit sorry for Meng Lei. He doesn’t have the money now and can’t afford a decent lawyer."

"I think the lawyer next to him looks familiar; it’s not the same one from the last two times, is it?"

"It’s a shame for such a beautiful girl like Tian Shulan not to go to prison."

"..."

As Meng Lei’s classmates, many were worried that Meng Lei would be too lonely if he went to prison alone. Looking at the current situation, Tian Shulan’s lawyer seemed well-prepared. As for Meng Lei’s lawyer, he was evidently just going through the motions again. Under such circumstances, it was next to impossible to effectively counter the other side. If this continued, the case could indeed be overturned by Tian Shulan.

However, at that very moment, the plaintiff, Ma Ming, suddenly stood up.

He retorted, "In legal terms, the determination of instigation is not based solely on a causal link, but on whether the act of instigation itself occurred. You can’t argue that if there’s a murderer who kills someone every day, and today, seeking revenge, I get him to kill Zhang San for me, that I wouldn’t be guilty of instigation, can you? Tian Shulan’s behavior, which clearly aimed at illegally possessing others’ money, constitutes instigating Meng Lei to borrow. Regardless of whether Meng Lei borrowed the money of his own volition, or acted with subjective criminal intent, her actions still constitute the crime of instigation!"

Ma Ming’s voice was powerful and resolute. Each word echoed in the courtroom. He seized the opportunity and lashed out fiercely at Tian Shulan’s defense lawyer.

And this scene once again shocked everyone in the alumni group chat.

"Ma Ming, when did he get so awesome?"

"Did anyone notice? The lawyer Shi Liangping beside him looks completely dumbfounded."

"Shi Liangping: ’Are you the lawyer, or am I?’"

"Was he coached by some content creator?"

"..."

Everyone was stunned and couldn’t help but speculate.