Who Made Him a Lawyer?-Chapter 164 - 141: First Trial Begins! Litigator vs. Scoundrel!
What a coincidence.
After the 'Wang Hai case' ended, he was immediately promoted from a deputy to a full position!
After half a year, Zhao Yi, who was already in a high position, now suddenly became...
The head of Criminal Court One!
Considering the severity of this case.
The case could either be handed to the president of the court or to Zhao Yi.
The president already had a case, so...
Even if they didn't specifically choose someone capable of handling pressure and with experience, just by normal case allocation... Zhao Yi was still the first person supposed to judge this case!
Zhao Yi felt somewhat desperate.
He really felt like he was being set up.
He actually didn't want a promotion; whoever wanted the position of the head of Criminal Court One could have it.
But the situation kept pushing him upward, and if this continued...
Zhao Yi would be transferred to the High Court!
But being transferred might be a good thing, at least he wouldn't have to deal with Xu Liang anymore.
He put his thoughts away.
"I wonder if I can withstand it…"
Zhao Yi exhaled deeply.
"Old Zhao, you can definitely handle it!"
The other judges quickly comforted him.
"You withstood so much pressure in the second half of 2004, why are you saying such defeatist things at the start of 2005!?"
Zhao Yi pulled at his stiff mouth.
He knew Xu Liang well.
In the entire Hanhai City, besides Zhang Bo from the grassroots court, he knew the opponent best!
Dealing with the opponent's case was undoubtedly tough!
Not to mention there was Director Zhou.
He had dealt with Director Zhou before, and that man was a thoroughly morally corrupt beast!
Facing just one would be hard enough.
Let alone the fact that a litigator and a villain are in the same case, clashing head-on, with him as the judge caught in the middle…
But there was no choice.
He was already here!
Zhao Yi's eyes suddenly sharpened, his whole aura changed as he glanced at the time and said:
"Prepare for the trial!"
After speaking.
The people around stood up together and followed Zhao Yi towards the courtroom.
They wore judges' robes, representing authority, and finally took their seats in the courtroom.
This courtroom was the largest in the court.
There were already quite a few journalists inside, waiting for the trial to begin.
Unlike before, this time there was no noise, only patient waiting.
Zhao Yi only glanced at them before withdrawing his gaze.
He spoke into the microphone, saying in a deep voice:
"Plaintiff, defendant, please enter the courtroom!"
After his words fell.
Both holding rooms simultaneously emitted a voice.
Xu Liang and Director Zhou stood up with their respective people and approached the courtroom.
"Screech~"
With the two doors pushed open.
The plaintiff and defendant stepped into the courtroom together, both instinctively glancing at each other.
Instantly, Xu Liang and Director Zhou locked eyes.
"Heh."
Xu Liang let out a cold laugh, withdrew his gaze, and headed for the plaintiff's seat with Yang Ruoxi.
Director Zhou expressionlessly took his seat.
Judge Zhao Yi looked at the personnel present in the courtroom.
Journalists and the residents watching the broadcast fixed their gaze on Zhao Yi, observing his every move.
Until...
Zhao Yi took a deep breath and brought down the gavel.
"Bang!"
"Court is in session!"
Zhao Yi stood up to formally read out the opening materials of the session.
"Today, this court is publicly trying the case, presided over by Du Ze and Duan Feipeng of Hanhai City..."
"This case will be judged by the head judge Zhao Yi, alongside the judge..."
"Now, I announce..."
"Court is in session!"
Zhao Yi took his seat.
As these two words fell, everyone's heart at the scene tensed up.
Zhao Yi then turned to look at Xu Liang's side.
"Now, please, the plaintiff, state the accusations against the defendant."
Xu Liang nodded.
Then stood up, holding the materials in his hand, and began to speak:
"Our side represents... accusations against the defendant for intentional homicide, intentional injury, provoking trouble, and maltreatment... multiple charges!"
"The defendants Du Ze and Duan Feipeng, born in 1987, on the night of December 6, 2004..."
"These three are all suspected of intentional homicide!"
Intentional homicide…
Jianghai is already dead, Du Ze could shift the blame onto the deceased.
Duan Feipeng had no evidence proving his involvement in the murder.
But even so...
He still needed to accuse Duan Feipeng and Du Ze of intentional homicide!!!
"Looks like I'll have to work overtime again."
Zhao Yi's heart sank, he then turned to look at Director Zhou nearby.
Seeing this, everyone turned to look at Director Zhou.
A plethora of journalists also pointed their cameras at Director Zhou, whispering among themselves.
On the defendant's bench, Du Ze immediately became tense.
Duan Feipeng, on the other hand, was absent-mindedly playing with his fingers, thinking about what to eat when he got home.
Zhao Yi asked.
"Defendant, do you have any objections?"
Director Zhou smiled, nodded, stood up, and respectfully said:
"Honorable presiding judge, members of the audience and journalists, I am the defense lawyer for the accused, Director Zhou."
"And I am here today to represent Duan Feipeng..."
He spoke.
He paused, then solemnly declared:
"Not guilty defense!"
"Additionally, seeking a reduced sentence for Du Ze!"
Not guilty!?
Reduced sentence!?
The people present were shocked, Zhao Yi included, who furrowed his brows.
Another defense like this...
Can two murders be considered not guilty?
Theoretically, yes. Last year in Hanhai City, there was a lawyer whose clients in two cases killed a total of four people, enough to warrant four death sentences for anyone else!
And that lawyer, adamantly reduced the sentences of the two clients to practically nothing, one was found not criminally responsible, the other sentenced to three years with three years' probation.
If Director Zhou has the confidence, perhaps he can do the same.
However...
This example stands across from him at this moment!
"Not guilty?" Xu Liang squinted his eyes.
He sat at the trial desk, holding back Yang Ruoxi, instructing her to follow his lead later.
At this moment, Zhao Yi spoke up:
"Defense."
"Do you have sufficient evidence to support your defense claim?"
Director Zhou nodded.
He began:
"First is my client, the accused Duan Feipeng."
Director Zhou's eyes focused intensely.
He had been busy for a month, and now it was time to see if it paid off!
"According to the opposition."
"The victim died on December 6th, at 8 PM that evening."
"Duan Feipeng, Du Ze, and Jianghai three arrived at the back alley of 'Osmanthus Avenue', murdered the victim, and then moved the body to disguise it as a suicide."
"Afterward, under the cover of night, they eliminated any evidence by silencing the second victim!"
"Ultimately causing the death of two victims!"
Saying this, no one refuted.
It was indeed what Xu Liang said, and what the police reported.
But...
Director Zhou's expression suddenly grew serious, his eyes intense, staring directly at Xu Liang.
"However!"
"Based on the actual evidence our side has obtained, during the time of the crime..."
"The murderers were only Du Ze and the mastermind Jianghai!!!"
"And the accused Duan Feipeng was at home resting that night, asleep by 10 PM!"
"Could I ask the opposition, my client was never at the crime scene that day, then..."
Speaking, he paused slightly, then posed a question.
"How did he manage to commit the murder!?\\"
The implication being...
Duan Feipeng was not at the murder scene when the crime occurred!?
Suddenly.
Waves of unrest emerged.
"This can't be right... is it true? Didn't the police report list Duan Feipeng as the prime suspect..."
"Is there evidence? I only believe in evidence!"
"Only two murderers, and Duan Feipeng wasn't at the scene!?"
"..."
The audience and journalists whispered among themselves.
Presiding Judge Zhao Yi frowned, tapping his gavel.
"Bang!"
"Order!"
With the fall of the gavel.
The chatter in the courtroom gradually ceased.
Zhao Yi then turned his head to look at Director Zhou.
"Defense, do you have evidence to substantiate your claims?"
Director Zhou smiled.
"Naturally!"
He paused, then added:
"Honorable presiding judge."
"We have surveillance evidence of Duan Feipeng's movements on December 6th, starting from 12 PM!"
"Additionally, we have seven witnesses who can prove Duan Feipeng has an alibi!"
Evidence!?
Surveillance for the entire day?
And seven witnesses!?
Everyone was astonished and began to watch intently.
Yet the prosecution's side...
"Evidence?"
Yang Ruoxi was taken aback.
Evidence?
The surveillance of the murder process is clearly in their hands, clearly capturing Duan Feipeng's act of murder and concealing the body!
And yet, Director Zhou claims Duan Feipeng wasn't at the scene at that time and even has complete evidence and witnesses....
Which brings up the question.
Where did this evidence... come from?
Xu Liang squinted his eyes and restrained the restless Yang Ruoxi.
"Shh~"
"Let's watch him perform."
Yang Ruoxi nodded and continued watching.
Zhao Yi also spoke at this moment:
"Defense."
"Please present your evidence!"
