Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 124 - 123 Zhuo Xiaoting Vindicates Herself, Arguments, Leave it to Fate?

Chapter 124: Chapter 123 Zhuo Xiaoting Vindicates Herself, Arguments, Leave it to Fate?

Monday, the day of the trial.

The last few days of February were particularly busy for Zhang Wei.

Over the weekend, he conducted mock cross-examinations with Zhuo Xiaoting, but unfortunately, the results were not ideal.

Even with Bai Ruoyun’s help, it was still too difficult for an 18-year-old girl to find a way to alleviate the tension under high pressure.

As a result, Grandma Wang, Tie Ruyun, and others were also getting nervous.

Zhang Wei found time for psychological counseling, but sadly, the others didn’t have access to an outstanding psychologist like Jessica.

Now, Monday had arrived.

Zhang arrived at the city courthouse early in the morning and waited in the preparation room.

"Even though I’ve won many lawsuits," he said, "I must admit, defending the innocent is the hardest!"

Zhang himself was uncertain about the upcoming trial.

Because Zhuo Xiaoting had indeed done some things against the law, she was aware that her brother committed wrongdoing, yet chose not to report him and, instead, condoned his behavior.

The jury might forgive her, or they might not.

Although Zhang had extensive trial experience, when it came to the jury...

It was as he said, you treat the jury like a first love, but a first love can hurt you over and over again.

Pleasing the jury is like courting a girl, but there are girls who are impervious to sweet words, no matter how nicely you say them!

If he truly encountered such a jury, the case could be in jeopardy...

As he was muttering to himself, others also began to arrive one after another.

Tie Ruyun brought Lin Yumeng and Li Yueqin, while Bai Ruoyun led Zhuo Xiaoting and Grandma Wang.

"Old Tie, you’re playing it safe today, coming with your apprentice. I take it you didn’t drive?"

"Heh, don’t worry about me, focus on your preparations!"

Tie Ruyun waved his hand, suggesting Zhang focus less on others.

"Don’t worry, I have great confidence in myself!"

Zhang Wei said this as he looked towards Zhuo Xiaoting.

His self-assured expression also influenced her.

"I’m prepared as well!" Zhuo Xiaoting said, making eye contact with Grandma Wang, and they both nodded.

"All right, let’s head to the courtroom so we don’t get blocked by the reporters later, and we can also get used to the atmosphere in advance!"

Zhang Wei and the rest arrived early at the courtroom to wait.

After more than ten minutes, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe and the people from the Procuratorate Headquarters barely made it in time.

Zhao Chunming, leading the group, wore a confident smile.

When he saw Zhang Wei, he gave a sneering smirk.

His expression seemed to say to Zhang Wei, "There’s no doubt you’ll lose today!"

Zhang ignored him and watched as Prosecutor Xiao Baihe took her seat on the prosecutor’s bench and, after exchanging a glance, he nodded as a greeting.

"How about it, Prosecutor Baihe, are you confident today?"

Tan Yingying, who was serving as co-counsel, eagerly leaned in to ask.

"I, I can’t quite say..."

Unfortunately, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe seemed less confident today.

Her heart felt disordered.

As the courtroom time drew nearer, the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Finally, the time arrived.

"All rise!"

Following the court guard’s announcement, Judge Wang entered.

"Please be seated, everyone. Today, it’s the defense’s turn to speak!"

Judge Wang looked at Zhang Wei, who naturally stood up.

"Judge Wang, the defense calls the defendant Zhuo Xiaoting to testify on her own behalf!"

Calling the defendant was not surprising.

For the defense, she was their only witness.

The investigative department had still not captured the fugitive suspect, Zhuo Dawu.

And in Zhang Wei’s view, although Chief Liu, the officer in charge, was experienced, he also had certain shortcomings.

He was too cautious, and capturing the suspect might take more time.

Therefore, Zhang Wei could only call Zhuo Xiaoting to stand as her own witness.

The testimony begins!

"Zhuo Xiaoting, I know what the defense will ask you next. She will ask you about the stolen goods and money at home. So please, tell everyone the answer now, and we can save the prosecution some breath."

As he spoke, Zhang Wei glanced at Prosecutor Xiao Baihe.

Zhuo Xiaoting took a deep breath before she began to slowly answer.

"I chose not to expose my brother’s actions because I wanted to protect him. After all, he is my brother, and I also wanted to protect my grandmother."

"I know I might have done something wrong, but if I had spoken out, it’s likely that both my grandmother and I would have been in danger. My brother could also have been retaliated against by his friends. I was very scared... I really was very scared at that time..."

Zhuo Xiaoting began to recount.

Zhang Wei proceeded with the questioning, painting a complete picture of an innocent girl’s psychological struggle to protect her family.

"So what you’re saying is, you did all this for your family?"

"Yes, I thought about doing the right thing, but in my heart, protecting my family was the right thing to do!"

Following Zhuo Xiaoting’s response, Zhang Wei concluded his questioning.

He slowly walked back to the defense bench, though his expression was anything but relaxed.

Because what was coming next was the crux of the case, Zhuo Xiaoting had to withstand Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s fierce onslaught.

"Greetings, witness!"

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe rose to her feet, walked up to the witness stand, and looked at Zhuo Xiaoting.

The atmosphere in the courtroom tensed with Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s moves.

Zhuo Xiaoting’s heart rate increased as the prosecutor approached her step by step.

"You just mentioned something: why did your brother hide those stolen goods and money in the concealed room?"

"Because he was afraid Grandma would find out. He knew she would throw those things out!"

"Then why didn’t you do the same? You could have thrown them out like your grandmother, right?"

"I..." Zhuo Xiaoting paused, looking towards the defense bench.

Zhang Wei nodded, and Zhuo Xiaoting understood.

"I told my brother to take those things away!"

"But you didn’t take any other measures. You just gave a verbal warning, and you didn’t even attempt any form of resistance, allowing him to leave the stolen goods and money in your room?"

Once again, Zhuo Xiaoting looked towards Zhang Wei, who nodded back.

"No..."

"Zhuo Xiaoting, you must know that the money didn’t come from a proper source. Or perhaps you are well aware of what kind of person your brother is. He wouldn’t make money through honest work. His money likely came from illegal activities, right?"

"Yes, I know."

"Then do you realize that concealing stolen goods and money for a suspect is actually aiding in the commission of a crime?"

Zhuo Xiaoting looked towards Zhang Wei once more, and he nodded seriously.

"Yes, I know."

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe also nodded, whether satisfied or unsatisfied with the answer, she might not even be sure herself.

"So, when Chief Liu searched the apartment you live in, and you attempted to hide the stolen money and goods inside a pillowcase, do you acknowledge that this act was an attempt to conceal the truth?"

"Yes."

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe paused, then her gaze swept over the jury.

"Zhuo Xiaoting, I want to ask you, if someone attempts to conceal the truth, in your opinion, is this action honest or dishonest?"

"I think it’s dishonest..."

"Zhuo Xiaoting, you’ve surely heard the earlier cross-examination. Your lawyer, Zhang Wei, asked Chief Liu to imagine being honest with you as if you were his own son as he approached the room to search. You remember this, don’t you?"

"I remember."

"In fact, when Chief Liu entered the room, you weren’t honest in your actions!"

"You’re right..."

From the defense bench.

"Master, I feel that the prosecution’s questioning is very sharp, and it’s starting to affect the jury."

"Yes, Zhang Wei, why didn’t you object?"

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s string of questions put pressure on Lin Yumeng and Li Yueqin.

If these lawyers felt the pressure, one could only imagine how much Zhuo Xiaoting, being cross-examined under public scrutiny, was enduring.

Zhang Wei didn’t respond to them.

In the courtroom, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s questioning continued.

"Zhuo Xiaoting, in order to protect your brother, you engaged in dishonest acts. So, when you conceal the truth to protect your brother, I want to ask if you would also conceal the truth to protect yourself?"

"I said, the situation at that time was actually..."

"Objection!"

Just when Zhuo Xiaoting was unable to speak, Zhang Wei finally stood up.

He knew he had to make a stand.

But he was also clear that the current questioning was a critical moment, so the judge’s answer must be...

"Objection overruled!"

Judge Wang didn’t even lift his eyes as he kept them fixed on the witness stand.

To be precise, he was watching Zhuo Xiaoting’s reactions without moving.

Seeing the atmosphere grow somewhat tense, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe spoke up again, "Zhuo Xiaoting, you want to tell everyone that you chose to lie to protect your own brother, but is it true that you can be very honest and not lie when it comes to protecting yourself?"

"I, I’m not lying now."

Zhuo Xiaoting’s response was already lacking in confidence.

She looked over at the defense’s bench at Zhang Wei, and Zhang Wei was also looking back at her.

"Oh, you’re not lying?"

Upon hearing Zhuo Xiaoting’s reply, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe made a contemplative expression, "I have never met someone who doesn’t lie. Are you trying to tell us that you might lie sometimes, but you’re definitely not lying now?"

This question made it clear to the jury, Judge Wang, and even everyone in the hearing room.

There are no people who don’t lie in this world unless you’re a robot or some kind of abnormal, self-disciplined fanatic.

Zhuo Xiaoting was clearly not such a person, so she was bound to lie, especially at times when her own interests were at stake, making it very likely that she was lying.

Her answer had already become irrelevant because it was highly likely a lie!

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s question was a strike to the heart!

"Judge Wang, my cross-examination is over!"

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe walked back to the prosecution’s bench and sat down with a blank expression.

Her questioning had set everyone thinking.

Judge Wang sensed the mood in the courtroom and announced, "Court will recess for 30 minutes, and we will continue afterwards!"

Everyone left their seats.

...

In the preparation room.

"Zhang Wei, why didn’t you raise an objection?"

"Yeah, you just let the opponent pressure your client. Didn’t you see she was being questioned by the jury?"

As soon as Bai Ruoyun and Tie Ruyun entered, they questioned Zhang Wei.

Last week, they were still praising Zhang Wei’s courtroom performance, but they were disappointed with his performance today.

"I didn’t raise an objection because I didn’t want to cast doubts in the jury’s mind. The reason I reluctantly raised an objection later was to show my stance and support my client. In fact, I didn’t even want to make that objection."

Zhang Wei explained immediately, but Bai Ruoyun and Tie Ruyun didn’t buy it.

The truth was, Zhang Wei’s performance was not good.

Knock knock knock!

Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside.

"Defense lawyer, the judge asks you to go to his office!"

The defense lawyer, that would naturally be Zhang Wei.

"The judge is looking for me?"

Hearing that Old Wang was looking for him, Zhang Wei glanced at Bai Ruoyun and Tie Ruyun, and finally had no choice but to follow the court guard out.

Inside the judge’s office.

When Zhang Wei arrived, he saw that Prosecutor Xiao Baihe was also there; it appeared the judge had summoned both parties for a meeting.

"Lawyer Zhang, take a seat!"

Judge Wang urged Zhang Wei to sit down.

With Zhang Wei seated, Judge Wang’s expression remained stern.

"I know that the cross-examination is over because the defense only has Zhuo Xiaoting as a witness. I’m also aware that Chief Liu hasn’t caught Zhuo Dawu yet, but this meeting isn’t about questioning the efficiency of the investigative department’s arrest efforts. It’s about this case, because of the defendant Zhuo Xiaoting!"

He looked at Zhang Wei, his tone becoming more serious, "Lawyer Zhang, next come the closing arguments from both sides. Once you’ve both spoken, there won’t be any chance for a plea bargain!"

"So what I want to ask you now is, why did you reject Prosecutor Xiao Baihe’s offer of a four-month deal? In my view, that was the prosecution’s biggest concession. You should persuade your client to accept this deal!"

Seeing Judge Wang put it that way, Zhang Wei knew he had to explain, especially with Prosecutor Xiao Baihe present.

"Old Wang, I actually did try to persuade her to make a deal, but what I know even more is one thing — my client has been wrongfully involved; she is innocent!"

"Innocent, are you still that naive?" Judge Wang shook his head in disappointment.

Even Prosecutor Xiao Baihe was somewhat at a loss for words.

I’ve already questioned that girl like that, and you still say she’s innocent?

"In fact, I had hoped to mention this in the closing argument, that my client is willing to risk imprisonment to prove her innocence, and for that, she even gave up a deal of four months!"

"No way!"

Hearing Zhang Wei’s "excessive" request, Judge Wang interrupted directly.

"Lawyer Zhang, I thought you would not be so naive," he said. "Tell me, what reason is there to support your doing this? You’re disrupting the rules of plea bargaining!"

"Your Honor, I just wanted to show the jury how determined my client is," he said. "We’re talking about five years’ imprisonment, she..."

"Silence!"

Judge Wang interrupted Zhang Wei again, emphasizing, "If the plea bargain goes public, the prosecution would never have offered four months. The prosecution has been more than fair, but you and your client have been ungrateful, challenging our patience!"

Zhang Wei could tell that Judge Wang was getting angry.

Prosecutor Xiao Baihe, although silent throughout, had also made her stance clear.

"Zhang Wei, let me warn you," Judge Wang said, "if you say one word too many during the closing argument, even if you have a sudden spasm, even if your mouth leaks, keep the deal to yourself!"

Judge Wang glared at Zhang Wei, emphasizing again with a stronger tone, "To make sure you understand the seriousness of this matter, I must stress it in front of you once more. If I hear anything about ten months or four months in the courtroom, even a word, a number, or any hint suggesting to the jury how long the defendant’s sentence might be, even a vague idea, you will not only face a mistrial, you could end up in prison!"

"Lawyer Zhang, now answer me, did you hear what I said?"

Zhang Wei pursed his lips in response and remained silent.

"Lawyer, please answer me, did you hear me say that?" Judge Wang asked again, more sternly than before.

Zhang Wei finally took a deep breath and nodded, "I heard you, Old Wang!"

"Good. I hope you remember your answer. Now, I would like everyone to leave!"

Judge Wang was sending them out, and Zhang Wei and Prosecutor Xiao Baihe had no choice but to leave.

At the door, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe stopped Zhang Wei.

"To be honest, your client is really being unreasonable. I believe that out of 100 people, 99 would take the deal!"

"Unfortunately, my client is that one stubborn exception!"

"Then good luck to you, Lawyer Zhang!"

Watching Prosecutor Xiao Baihe walk away, Zhang Wei too could only return to the preparation room.

Seeing him come back, Grandma Wang asked with concern, "Lawyer Zhang, is it time for the closing argument now?"

"Yes, and I believe it’s going to be very tricky this time because the opposition is no pushover!"

"So..."

"We can only leave it to fate now. Although it’s wrong of me to say that, I also know that even if I promised everything would be okay, you wouldn’t believe me!"

Zhang Wei’s mouth was bitter, but he still managed a smile, "Alright, the judge only gave us 30 minutes to rest. We’re almost out of time after being called up earlier. Let’s all go back!"

The group, left with no other options, could only return to the courtroom.

As people gradually came back, the courtroom buzzed with activity again.

Judge Wang walked back to his seat with deliberate steps.

He glanced at Zhang Wei, then gave his black robe a shake.

His gesture implied: pay attention, kid, even if I wanted to help you, this robe I wear won’t allow it. You’re on your own!

Moreover, he had already issued a warning.

If Zhang Wei dared to take a shortcut and bring up the plea deal during the closing argument, he had better not expect any sympathy!

Everyone took their seats at the hearing.

Zhao Chunming watched the scene with an indifferent smile growing more pronounced.

This time, they at the Procuratorate Headquarters were certain to crush Zhang Wei’s spirit comprehensively!

On the opposite side of the hearing, Bai Ruoyun and Tie Ruyun’s faces looked extremely unpleasant.

Grandma Wang sat with her hands clasped tightly, fingers intertwined, her face filled with worry.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was exceptionally tense.

"Defense, according to the witness list you submitted, you have no more witnesses to call, correct?"

"Yes, Judge Wang!"

"Good. Let’s have both sides begin their closing statements!"

Following Judge Wang’s announcement, Prosecutor Xiao Baihe stood up first.

She approached the bench, glanced at Zhang Wei, and then walked towards the jury box.

"You know, there’s a saying among defense lawyers that a jury is made up of twelve idiots..."

This familiar opening caught Zhang Wei by surprise as his pupils contracted slightly.

He looked at Prosecutor Xiao Baihe with some astonishment, while a thought started to form in his mind.

Why would the opposing counsel choose this particular opening for their closing statement?

Were they deliberately giving ground?