Who Made Him a Lawyer?-Chapter 121 - 116: Zhao Yi: Isn’t This Illegal?

"Today, this court is holding a public trial, initiated by the Hanhai People's Procuratorate, against the defendants Wang Hai, Zhang Mang, Liu Shengjie....."

"This case is presided over by the judge Zhao Yi, together with the judges..."

"Now, announce..."

"Court is in session!"

As the gavel, symbolizing justice, falls.

The trial has officially begun!

The case was not made public and there was no media coverage, so the courtroom was not crowded, with only those in the hearing seats present, but those with some knowledge understood.

A case not publicized and handled internally... is a major case!

"Now, please let the prosecution present the charges against the defendant."

Zhao Yi, bearing the burden on his shoulders, turned his head and solemnly asked the prosecutor.

The prosecutor, surnamed Liu, took a deep breath upon hearing the call.

Then he stood up and fixed his eyes on Wang Hai, who seemed to be extinguished, and said:

"On behalf of the Hanhai City's People's Procuratorate, we now accuse the defendant of multiple crimes including intentional homicide, intentional injury, human trafficking, illegal fundraising, and fraud!"

"The defendant Wang Hai, born in 1974, founded a company in Hanhai City in 1994...."

"During this period, he suppressed his peers with illegal means and violently seized property!"

"Later, he established a charitable organization, which in reality served his criminal activities!"

"The number of victims exceeded thousands, with over a hundred casualties. According to the evidence gathered by the police, simply the number of innocents who died as victims is over a hundred!"

As Prosecutor Liu spoke these words, his hands, holding the documents, were trembling.

His tone was heavy, and his expression was grim.

With so many victims, why wasn't it discovered?

Leaving aside the fact that regulatory capabilities weren't at their peak in those years.

The main reason was that Wang Hai's chosen victims were too special!!!

He mainly targeted groups like homeless people, scavengers, orphans, and the disabled for his victims.

These groups are special because even if no one harmed them, it might not be noticed if they died.

For example, homeless people, most of their lives last just a few years.

The homeless person you often saw mid-year might be gone by early the next year, likely dead quietly, and no one knows where.

Let alone with Wang Hai's crime network covering it up.

Therefore...

When Wang Hai's actions were actually spoken about, everyone's hearts in the courtroom sank.

Even though they knew it, hearing it again still made them feel solemn and angry!

Instantaneously.

Countless eyes focused sharply on the defense and the defendant's seat.

"Does the prosecution have any evidence to prove what they stated?" Zhao Yi asked solemnly.

Prosecutor Liu nodded.

"Yes."

He pulled a thick stack of documents from his briefcase.

His fingers rubbed against the colorful photographs printed on the documents.

These photographs were all taken by Xu Liang at great risk.

They completely corroborated what the prosecutor said about the clandestine activities at the Bright Welfare Institute!

"Please have a look, Presiding Judge."

Prosecutor Liu handed the evidence to the clerk, who reviewed it and passed it to the Presiding Judge Zhao Yi.

Just by looking at the first photo, Zhao Yi's face turned extremely grim.

To be honest, this wasn't his first time seeing it.

For the trial to be completed in one go, the evidence had long been verified by the court.

But even after seeing it again...

Zhao Yi's face was still ashen.

Four corpses floated to the water's surface from the boiling water, their eyes dying with unfulfilled desires seemingly staring through the camera at the viewer of the photo!

And there were four such boilers...

"Furthermore, the Elephant Country has also provided evidence of the defendant's crimes."

Prosecutor Liu spoke again.

Upon hearing Elephant Country, Wang Hai's lifeless eyes turned towards him, staring at him intensely with his murky eyes!

Wang Hai's fists clenched tightly, his fingers digging deeply into his flesh.

He never expected that even after donating millions to the Elephant Country annually, not only did it fail to bring him protection, but they also turned against him...

Even adding fuel to the fire that could burn him!!!

"These are the proofs of the crimes."

"Please have a look, Judge."

Prosecutor Liu handed over the pile of evidence.

Zhao Yi proceeded to examine the photos as per procedure.

These photos were different, with backgrounds distinctly different from domestic styles.

What was captured were a pile of human bones, among which some were barely waist-high in height...

Zhao Yi calmed himself, looked up at the prosecution.

"Does the prosecution have any other points to add?"

Prosecutor Liu shook his head, "No."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi nodded and turned towards the defendant's seat.

He spoke, "Does the defense have any objections to the aforementioned trial?"

As his voice fell.

All eyes focused on Qian Li.

Qian Li, under the suffocating gaze from the seats, already had sweaty palms.

He felt himself growing smaller under their scrutiny while they turned into giants!

Eventually...

"Honorable Presiding Judge, I am Qian Li from Chengen Law Firm, appointed by Wang Hai as his defense attorney, and my party asserts..."

Qian Li stood up despite himself, his back already soaked in sweat.

Honestly, he wanted to give up.

But folding in front of the Six Ministries' gaze, betraying his client... would mean the end of his legal career.

Yet if he didn't fold and handled the case proactively, arguing for Wang Hai's innocence?

He couldn't think of any way to take Wang Hai away other than storming the courtroom...

No, storming the courtroom might not even work.

Eventually, he still felt that handling this normally was the way, surely those from Su Guo wouldn't really care about him, a small lawyer... right?

Thinking of this, Qian Li took a deep breath, steadied himself, and said:

"We advocate for the reduction of the defendant's sentence!"

Zhao Yi remained unfazed and nodded, "Defense attorney, please state your basis for sentence reduction."

Qian Li nodded.

To be honest, he found a loophole while reviewing the opposing party's evidence, and that loophole was...

"The prosecution's evidence regarding the welfare institute was captured between October 31 and before 5 AM on November 1."

"But according to our investigation, the police did not apply for an investigation order during this period."

"Additionally, the source of this evidence, particularly a crucial part, doesn't seem to originate from the police station..."

"In summary, the evidence provided by the prosecution is merely for reference and not substantively robust."

Qian Li decided to take a bold step.

I directly ignored the dozen or so middle-aged people in the hearing bench, looking at the judge and speaking word by word.

"Moreover, the Bright Welfare Institute does not have any other evidence to directly link this matter to the defendant Wang Hai!"

"Therefore, we believe that the welfare institute case has no connection with our client, and a reduction of sentence is warranted!"

"That concludes our statement, thank you."

Upon hearing this.

Some people in the hearing bench shifted their gaze and smiled, disregarding his words.

Presiding judge Zhao Yi thought for a moment and then looked towards the prosecution.

"Prosecution, can you further verify the substantive nature of the evidence?"

Prosecutor Liu nodded.

They found a witness specifically for this point!

Unofficially obtained evidence cannot guarantee its authenticity and validity, but a detailed witness report can enhance the credibility of the evidence.

"Honorable presiding judge, the provider of the aforementioned evidence has already been involved in this trial as a witness and is currently awaiting trial."

Prosecutor Liu spoke into the microphone:

"You may summon the witness."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi nodded.

"Summon the prosecution's witness to the court!"

...

Meanwhile.

A voice sounded from the speaker in the witness waiting room.

"Summon the prosecution's witness to the court!"

Xu Liang paused for a moment, and then two bailiffs appeared before him to escort him into the court.

He was not nervous, standing up and slightly tidying his clothes before following them to the trial.

Soon, Xu Liang was standing at the courtroom entrance.

"Squeak~"

The courtroom doors opened.

Instantly, everyone's eyes in the trial were fixed on Xu Liang.

Xu Liang faced the stares, his expression calm, as he walked forward step by step, finally standing at the witness stand.

He looked up at Zhao Yi on the judge's bench.

Hey.

A familiar face!

Having been involved in two cases in the intermediate court before, this was the third time, all with Zhao Yi!

Zhao Yi's expression showed some frustration, but he glanced at some people on the hearing bench before asking in a serious tone:

"Please introduce yourself."

"Honorable presiding judge, my name is Xu Liang, serving as the prosecution's witness in this trial, to verify part of the evidence," Xu Liang said formally.

Upon hearing this.

Zhao Yi nodded slightly, internally relieved.

'Good thing, this trial is very serious, and the rascal knows the importance...'

Zhao Yi feared Xu Liang might say something shocking, but it seemed the other party understood the gravity and urgency, not causing trouble in front of the Six Ministries.

With that thought, Zhao Yi refocused and asked seriously.

"Witness, the information within the Bright Welfare Institute from the night of October 31 to the early morning of November 1 submitted by the prosecution, was it provided by you?"

Evidence?

Xu Liang paused and instinctively looked at Qian Li in the defendant's seat.

It seemed the other party was questioning the authenticity of the evidence... tsk, passed Six Ministries review but not Qian Li's, huh.

Interesting.

Indeed, Chengen Law Firm gathers talents, and valiant warriors come together!

Xu Liang admired inwardly but still answered Zhao Yi's question.

"Honorable presiding judge."

"All the evidence I provided can be vouched for with my personal character and professional ethics in terms of authenticity."

"Every photo was something I witnessed firsthand at the scene!"

Upon hearing this.

Zhao Yi felt there was an issue.

He hesitated a little, looked at the evidence in front of him, and spoke:

"Witness, are you sure these photos are something you saw with your own eyes?"

Xu Liang nodded.

"Yes, I guarantee them with my reputation."

Whether Xu Liang had reputation is another matter.

"Then, at the time of evidence collection... were there any law enforcement officials by your side?"

Zhao Yi suddenly asked.

Xu Liang thought for a moment, then spoke:

"Yes."

"I mean, when taking the photos, was the other party by your side?"

Were they?

Xu Liang thought for a moment, then said, "They were."

"He was just separated from me by a wall!"

Who said the ceiling isn't a wall!?

Separated by just a wall...

Zhao Yi fell into thought and ultimately spoke again:

"Then why... wasn't the evidence captured by an official person?"

"Witness, is this evidence... illegally obtained?"

The moment the words fell.

The entire trial fell into silence.

Xu Liang looked at Zhao Yi, expressionless.