PDLP Chapter 9 Disrupting the Courtroom
Chapter 9 Disrupting the Courtroom
First Criminal Court.
Judge Wu, who presided over the trial, is Gao Yuliang's sister-in-law.
Qi Tongwei sat in the first row of the audience, Qin Xue sat to his left, and Gao Qi sat to his right. Gao Qi wanted to sit next to Qin Xue, but Qi Tongwei forced him to move closer.
"Bring the defendant in."
A man in his early twenties, with dark skin, about 170 cm tall, and thin, stood in the dock. He looked very tired, as if he had been up for many nights.
Judge Wu struck the gavel, announcing, "The trial for Duan Xiaojun's murder is now in session. Prosecutor, please present the facts of the case."
"Your Honor, the evidence against Duan Xiaojun for murdering his wife Duan Hong and her lover Lu Biao is conclusive, and the methods used were extremely cruel."
"Based on the evidence provided by the police, Duan Xiaojun confessed to the crime of murder."
"After learning of his wife Duan Hong's affair with his company leader Lu Biao, Duan Xiaojun conceived the idea of murder and purchased the tools to carry out the crime."
"Given the extreme cruelty of Duan Xiaojun's methods of murder, the prosecutor recommends that Duan Xiaojun be sentenced to death and executed immediately to uphold social justice."
Upholding social justice, Qi Tongwei couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Quiet"
Judge Wu recognized them as people from the procuratorate; if it had been anyone else, he would have immediately ordered the bailiffs to kick them out.
"What are you laughing at, prosecutor?"
Qi Tongwei stood up straight. "Your Honor, adultery has always led to murder. I believe that killing Duan Xiaojun would not uphold social justice, so I couldn't help but laugh."
The audience burst into laughter.
A man stared intently at Qi Tongwei; he was Lu Peng, Lu Biao's older brother.
Judge Wu asked, "What's your name?"
"My name is Qi Tongwei," Qi Tongwei said, neither humble nor arrogant.
"As a prosecutor, you should know the court rules by heart, not be trying to impress people here. You're making the public think we're very unprofessional."
Judge Wu's blunt criticism was intended to teach this young man a profound lesson.
And to tell everyone that the authority of the court is not to be desecrated.
"Your Honor, I was wrong. I'm sorry, and I also apologize to everyone present."
Qi Tongwei's attitude was very sincere, which surprised Judge Wu a bit. The young man gave in so quickly.
"Defendant's lawyer, please make your statement."
"Your Honor, I have no objections."
The lawyer's answer was completely unexpected.
Duan Xiaojun stared at his lawyer, completely dumbfounded.
Judge Wu asked, "Duan Xiaojun, do you plead guilty?"
Duan Xiaojun finally realized that he had been deceived by his own lawyer.
“I didn’t kill anyone, I didn’t kill anyone. The police forced me to write those pieces of evidence. When I didn’t write what they told me to write, they beat me and didn’t let me sleep for days and nights. They hung me up without giving me water until I passed out, and only then did they let me down. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I confessed.”
Everyone was surprised by what happened.
Judge Wu tapped his gavel. "Quiet, quiet, everyone be quiet."
"Duan Xiaojun, what evidence do you have to prove you didn't kill anyone?"
Duan Xiaojun was filled with confusion, helplessness, and despair. He had not killed anyone, but no one believed him.
Finally, he ripped open his clothes, revealing his chest with two bullet holes in it.
“I went to the battlefield when I was 16. This is a gunshot wound I sustained on the Laoshan battlefield. I swear on the honor of a soldier that I did not kill anyone. If you don’t believe me, you can look at my back; it’s covered in marks from the police.”
These words caused an uproar in the audience. How could a hero who defended his country be wronged?
Judge Wu tapped his gavel. "Quiet, quiet, everyone be quiet."
"Duan Xiaojun, your past merits cannot be used as a get-out-of-jail-free card. I'll ask you again, what evidence do you have to prove that you didn't kill anyone?"
"Your Honor, if the police used coercive tactics to extract confessions, then the prosecutor's evidence cannot be used as evidence."
Qi Tongwei stood up and delivered a resounding cry of justice.
"The inaction of the defendant's lawyer should also be investigated."
Judge Wu was furious. "Bailiffs, throw him out!"
"Your Honor, this is a matter of life and death. I request that Duan Xiaojun undergo a medical examination. The real killer may still be at large."
Two bailiffs rushed over and pinned Qi Tongwei down, but Qi Tongwei did not resist.
"Your Honor, if Duan Xiaojun is innocent, you are also indirectly a murderer."
"Get him out of here!"
Judge Wu was furious; he had never encountered anything like this before.
"Duan Xiaojun, hang in there. If you've been wronged, I will definitely clear your name."
After saying this, Qi Tongwei was expelled from the courtroom.
Judge Wu tapped his gavel. "Given the unforeseen circumstances, the verdict will be announced on another day."
Duan Xiaojun was moved to tears; finally, someone believed him.
"Qin Xue, stay away from Qi Tongwei from now on. He's a madman."
Gao Qi took the opportunity to speak ill of Qi Tongwei in front of Qin Xue.
Qin Xue ignored him completely. Qi Tongwei's actions today made her feel as if she saw a prosecutor who truly upheld justice.
As a professional, I can clearly see that there is a problem.
Whether Duan Xiaojun was subjected to police coercion can be determined through a medical examination. The judge kept pressuring him to prove that he did not commit murder, but the prosecution should provide solid evidence to prove that Duan Xiaojun committed the murder. The priorities should not be reversed.
The defendant's lawyer is highly suspicious. Although he is a court-appointed legal aid lawyer, he should demonstrate his professional competence instead of treating it as a casual, perfunctory task.
Qi Tongwei's disturbance in court quickly spread throughout the court and the procuratorate.
He was temporarily detained in the court's detention room, and Judge Wu wanted to make an example of him.
Ji Changming personally went to the court to find Judge Wu.
"Senior, calm down. That kid just arrived and doesn't know the rules yet. Please don't hold a grudge."
Judge Wu slammed his hand on the table in anger. "Old Ji, what do you mean? Are you saying we're just going to let this go?"
Ji Changming quickly put on a smiling face, "Senior, this kid doesn't know his place and offended you. I apologize on his behalf. Please let me take him back first."
"Bullshit, Lao Ji. You've got a lot of influence. That kid caused a scene in my courtroom and even accused me of murder. I can detain him for half a month without any problem."
Judge Wu was not about to swallow this insult so easily.
Ji Changming had no other choice but to borrow the tiger's power.
"Senior, that's the guy who helped the police solve the Hong Kong businessman kidnapping case. He even received the title of hero for his bravery, which was personally approved by the new Secretary Xu."
Judge Wu calmed down a bit. "You said that kid is Secretary Xu's man?"
Ji Changming waved his hand, "Senior, I wouldn't dare say such things carelessly. Anyway, Secretary Xu personally met that kid at the hospital. As for anything else, I wouldn't dare to speak ill of the leaders."
Judge Wu gritted his teeth in anger, "Old Ji, Old Ji, you never tell the truth! So what if that kid is Secretary Xu's man? What's wrong with me acting according to the law?"
Ji Changming sighed, "Senior, if that kid is right, this is no small matter. Once someone is killed, there's no going back."
Judge Wu stared intently at Ji Changming. "You mean the police really did force a confession? Then how did your procuratorate supervise that?"
Ji Changming said helplessly, "Senior, since the suspect recanted his confession in court, our procuratorate must intervene again. Whether there was coercion involved can only be determined after further investigation."
Judge Wu was determined: "I don't care, the court decides cases based on evidence, but I'm definitely going to detain that kid."
"Senior, how about this? Don't give him half a month. Just detain him for three days and teach him a lesson."
Ji Changming could only bargain to get Qi Tongwei out sooner.
Judge Wu had a vague worry that if the kid was right, everyone would have to save face.
"Old Ji, I'll give you face, three days it is. From now on, don't let that kid show up in my courtroom again."
"Don't worry, senior, I'll definitely keep that kid in check and make sure he doesn't do it again."
"Old Ji, you're just too good at being cunning."
Qi Tongwei spent three days in the court's detention room, which added another valuable experience to his life.
After he came out, he immediately went to find Ji Changming.
"Prosecutor Ji, I'm applying to join Duan Xiaojun's case. The procuratorate must intervene in advance."
Ji Changming felt a headache coming on whenever he saw Qi Tongwei. "They've already intervened, so don't cause any more trouble."
Qi Tongwei finally understood that being a higher-ranking official could be incredibly oppressive. As a low-ranking intern prosecutor, he couldn't do anything but worry.
"Ji Jian, I have only one small request: let me see Duan Xiaojun. I promise I won't cause any more trouble."
Ji Changming had no idea what this kid was up to, but if meeting him could calm him down, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
I promise you, just this once.
"Thank you, Inspector Ji. You are the Bao Zheng of Handong."
Stop flattering me and get out.