Too Bad I Take Things Seriously-Chapter 538 - 217: Zhang Wei: Where Did My Client Go?_3

Six years of operation, and he’d directly achieved his ’small target.’ If this talent were applied elsewhere, he could undoubtedly make a name for himself.

"I thought he was just a small fry, but it turns out... he’s a big fish."

In the middle of the public gallery, Qin Mu, without a change in expression, glanced at the defendant Liu Qiao, also filled with emotion. He had initially thought the case was about to end, but new incidents had surfaced time and again. Liu Qiao’s sentence kept accumulating, reaching twenty years. This was only the second case he’d encountered where the sentence shot straight to twenty years! The previous one involved the middle-aged couple who had occupied Zhang Qingyuan’s son’s house.

"Next, the defendant may respond to the prosecutor’s charges and make a defense."

In the courtroom, the Judgment Chief banged the gavel and then spoke.

Meanwhile, in the defendant’s dock, Liu Qiao was now ashen-faced, his previous will to survive completely gone. During the investigation, he hadn’t been able to withstand the interrogations and had already confessed to his numerous crimes. Now, his only hope was for a few years off his sentence. Thinking this, he couldn’t help but glance at the defense attorney beside him with a pleading expression. This defense attorney had been found for him by a friend; with all his current accounts frozen, he simply couldn’t afford the attorney fees.

"During the investigation, our client actively cooperated and truthfully confessed to the criminal facts. According to relevant criminal law, he should receive a lenient, discretionary sentence. We believe... a twenty-year fixed-term imprisonment is unreasonable."

The attorney stepped forward and began to argue for a reduced sentence. The case has progressed to this point; all the necessary evidence is in. Any attorney arriving on the scene now could only argue for a sentence reduction.

Then, Zhang Wei also took a step forward, defending Zhang Kuang. "We believe that the prosecutor’s proposed sentence for our client is excessive and biased. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Although our client was involved in instigating, inciting, and performing certain actions, his subjective intent was merely to earn attorney fees. This should not be simply categorized as incitement to commit a crime, but rather as participation in a joint crime.

"In this joint crime, his role was secondary. He was not the core perpetrator and should be considered an accomplice.

"The bribe money was also provided by Liu Qiao..."

During this stage, Zhang Wei introduced the concept of joint crime, striving to argue that Zhang Kuang was merely an accomplice. Only as an accomplice could his sentence potentially be reduced.

"In that case, the point of contention in this case lies in the sentencing," the Judgment Chief said, then summarized, "Next, we will proceed to the evidence presentation and cross-examination phase."

The trial continued. The prosecutor came forward and, one after another, presented the various pieces of criminal evidence they had gathered. This evidence was more than sufficient to substantiate the crimes of Liu Qiao and Zhang Kuang. During this stage, the defense attorneys for both defendants did not put up a struggle.

Twenty minutes later, the cross-examination concluded.

Then came the intense free debate phase.

In this phase, Zhang Wei seized the initiative, arguing that all his client’s responsibility lay with Liu Qiao. Meanwhile, Liu Qiao’s defense attorney... seemed underprepared and struggled to counter, clearly overwhelmed by Zhang Wei’s logical and well-supported arguments throughout.

In the public gallery, Zhang Qingyuan and the others were utterly confused. They weren’t very familiar with these legal terms and were completely unable to grasp who currently had the upper hand. Helpless, they could only look towards Qin Mu.

"Right now, Zhang Wei has the advantage. He’s arguing that the incitement to crime should be considered joint perpetration, and from the perspective of an accomplice, he’s trying to get Zhang Kuang’s sentence reduced. This line of defense is very reasonable," Qin Mu explained in a low voice after glancing at the nearby bailiff.

Zhang Wei’s skill was undeniable. He might not be superior to other lawyers in other areas, but when it came to sentence reduction... he was an absolute king. His strategy was clear, his defense sound, and he was completely overwhelming the opposition. If things continued this way... Zhang Kuang’s sentence could be reduced by at least a year or two.

As for Liu Qiao... as long as his cumulative sentence didn’t exceed thirty-five years, the maximum term he would face would still be twenty years of fixed-term imprisonment. So, the difference wasn’t that significant.

However, in the defendant’s dock, Liu Qiao, witnessing Zhang Wei’s brilliant maneuvers, suddenly stood up. He stared intently at Zhang Kuang beside him, his face filled with bitter resentment; the animosity from the last trial seemed to have carried over to this very moment.

"Judgment Chief, I have something to report! When I previously sought Zhang Kuang for my defense, he hinted that I could continue to ’manage my connections’!" he accused, grinding his teeth and enunciating each word. "He even told me about several previous cases he handled that succeeded precisely that way..."

Before Liu Qiao could finish speaking, Zhang Kuang’s face changed dramatically, and he quickly retorted angrily, "Liu Qiao! Don’t you dare slander me! When did I ever say such a thing to you?"

But Liu Qiao sneered, "Oh no? When you quoted me a one million attorney fee, didn’t you lay out several cases where you’d successfully secured acquittals for your clients? There were quite a few!"

During the interrogations, he had been so preoccupied with confessing his own crimes that he’d almost forgotten about Zhang Kuang. It wasn’t until he was in court that he realized Zhang Kuang’s likely sentence was far less than his own. He was facing twenty years, while Zhang Kuang was looking at only six! This struck him as incredibly unfair! After all, if Zhang Kuang hadn’t reported his hidden accounts during the last trial, his other criminal acts wouldn’t have been uncovered. Now, all his assets were frozen, and his sentence had been increased to the full twenty years. Watching Zhang Kuang argue for a sentence reduction simply infuriated him. So, on a sudden impulse, he decided to report him again.