Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 203 - 202: Public Opinion Pressure, Another Acid-tongued Judge! (Big Promotion Plus Update)

Chapter 203: Chapter 202: Public Opinion Pressure, Another Acid-tongued Judge! (Big Promotion Plus Update)

(The big promotion is here, the wind is blowing, and Author Germ here is begging for favorites, recommendations, monthly tickets, subscriptions, and everything...)

Monday, Pre-trial Day.

It’s already the third week of April, and the pre-trial formally starts on Monday.

As a former regular headliner of scandals in Dongfang Capital, this case has garnered the attention of everyone in the city.

The death of Ren Xinwei, the seventh richest man in Dongfang Capital, and his current wife Zhu Tianying being accused of murder, the Procuratorate Headquarters will hold a public trial this week.

Just the charge of murder is enough to draw attention, especially when it’s linked to the death of a local tycoon, plus the sensationalism and reporting by various media outlets, the case has reached an unprecedented level of public interest.

o’clock in the morning.

The main entrance of the city court.

A luxury shuttle vehicle pulled up in front of the court, and when the media encamped there saw it, they all swarmed over.

The shuttle’s grand doors swung open, and dozens of black-clad bodyguards filed out, forming a barrier against the press.

Then, Zhu Tianying, in a wheelchair and hooked up to an IV drip, was escorted into the main entrance of the city court by Hu Yaode and Jiang Fengzhen of the Blackfoot Law Firm.

Although blocked by the bodyguards’ human wall, the media reporters were far from knowing when to back off.

There are only two parties in a murder case, one is dead, and the other is right in front of them; they were not ready to give up so easily.

"Miss Zhu Tianying, what do you have to say about the murder of billionaire Ren?"

"Miss Zhu, did you murder the billionaire Ren for his 60 billion fortune?"

"The latest rumor is that the investigation team has found evidence of your affair; do you have an explanation for this?"

"Miss Zhu, did you really murder Ren Xinwei and then falsify the crime scene to exonerate yourself?"

"Rumors suggest that your lover helped you fabricate evidence and even returned to the scene after the incident to destroy evidence..."

"Miss Zhu..."

One question after the other was shot out sharply, all directed at Zhu Tianying in the wheelchair.

Hearing this barrage of unkind queries, Zhu Tianying couldn’t help but close her eyes tightly, while a vein throbbed on her forehead.

Her inner world was far from calm, she was even somewhat furious.

"Once I inherit Ren’s Film Industry, I’m going to have the media blacklist all of you nosy reporters, make sure you spend the rest of your days as the lowest of paparazzi!" she thought to herself viciously.

"Miss Zhu, don’t be nervous, I have arranged friends to take care of the media for you, just relax!"

Jiang Fengzhen bent down and whispered into Zhu Tianying’s ear to reassure her.

The group ignored the media and walked straight into the city court, leaving only their backs to the reporters.

Fuck!

Seeing that the principal actor had left, with no news scooped up, the interviewed reporters were all quite unhappy.

However, moments later, a stylishly dressed woman came out from inside the courthouse.

She appeared to be around 35, well-maintained, with fair skin and a head of orange curly hair, slightly protruding cheekbones and deep-set eyes, giving her a mixed-race appearance.

"Who is this...?"

"Isn’t that Cheng Lisha?"

"The one from ’Lisa’s Talk’, that Cheng Lisha?"

"Right, that’s her!"

"Not only does she host Lisa’s Talk, but she also has many top-rated shows to her name and has been a guest in numerous high-profile interview segments in Dragon Country, a true A-lister in Dongfang Capital’s media!"

Seeing this woman appear, the reporters at the scene didn’t dare to peep and could only whisper among themselves.

Because this woman is a big name in Dongfang Capital’s media circles, a top-rank figure in the news industry.

"Hello, all my reporter friends, I am Cheng Lisha, and I am also the spokesperson for Miss Zhu Tianying in this case, representing Miss Zhu to answer any questions from our media friends!"

As soon as Cheng Lisha revealed her identity, it became clear that she was hired by Blackfoot to support Zhu Tianying, specifically to deal with the media.

"Please remain calm, I will answer your questions one by one," said Cheng Lisha, pointing to one of the reporters in the crowd.

As a media expert, she naturally knew how to handle the press.

If you don’t answer anything, the media will become impatient and barrage you with questions.

But if you choose to answer the questions one at a time, they will settle down and hope to be selected.

Even if they don’t get their turn at first, knowing that you have no intention of ending the session, they will wait.

Cheng Lisha didn’t specify how long the interview would last, so naturally, the reporters assumed she would answer all their questions.

When it was about time, she could just leave abruptly, and there was nothing they could do about it.

But now...

Facing the first reporter’s question, Cheng Lisha replied professionally:

"To this reporter’s question, I can tell you that Miss Zhu Tianying was definitely acting in self-defense. What she did, I think any woman could understand!"

"Not long ago, there was the well-known Fang Yunshu case in Dongfang Capital, which, I believe, you are all aware of. Miss Fang suffered mental abuse from her ex-husband Zeng Xiang and resorted to reasonable and lawful self-defense. My friend, Miss Zhu, did the same!"

This reply even referenced Zhang Wei’s previous defense cases.

However, Cheng Lisha had never expressed her view when Fang Yunshu was initially accused.

But now, after Fang Yunshu was acquitted, it became a useful precedent for Cheng Lisha to defend Zhu Tianying.

"What about the allegations that Zhu Tianying had an affair?"

The second reporter’s question was also within Cheng Lisha’s expectations.

"Regarding this reporter’s question, I can answer on behalf of Miss Zhu with certainty that these are baseless accusations. My friend Miss Zhu has never been unfaithful. She has always deeply loved her husband Ren Xinwei, even though he has hurt her so much. She has always been completely devoted to him."

"Then what about the evidence that the Investigation Department found? I heard they found that man over the weekend."

"The evidence found by the Investigation Department is nothing more than one-sided accusations. As for the so-called lover they found, he’s merely a male friend of Miss Zhu in her life. There’s no romantic relationship between them, and Miss Zhu would never do anything to betray her husband!"

"How do you explain this trial then? The Procuratorate Headquarters wouldn’t accuse Miss Zhu Tianying of murder without any basis, right?"

"My friend, your question is very ignorant!"

Faced with the sudden question, Cheng Lisha laughed, "Who says the Procuratorate Headquarters has to be right? I believe they have been influenced by ’certain parties,’ which is why they have prosecuted my friend Miss Zhu!"

"Please think, if Miss Zhu is found guilty, who would benefit the most? Isn’t it the shareholders of Ren’s Film Industry, those bloodsucking capitalists? They could take all of Mr. Ren Xinwei’s assets for themselves, without giving a cent to his lawful wife?"

"My friend Miss Zhu has been with Mr. Ren Xinwei for five whole years. She has given her youth, her everything, and she rightfully deserves it all. She is also willing to fight against those powerful forces for her own interests!"

As Cheng Lisha spoke, she grew increasingly impassioned, "Here, I appeal to all media friends to help give voice to Miss Zhu. She is absolutely the underdog in this case, and what the Procuratorate Headquarters is doing is assisting those powerful entities lurking behind the scenes!"

"Whether it’s my friend Miss Zhu or the now deceased Mr. Ren Xinwei, both are victims of this case. One of them is already dead, and the other is still facing murder charges, while those reaping the benefits are behind the scenes, manipulating everything and baring their fangs at a vulnerable woman—Ren’s Film Industry’s shareholders and executive directors. They are the real villains, the true bloodthirsty ones, a pack of insatiable wolves!"

"That’s all for my answers. Today’s question session is now over!"

Cheng Lisha did not allow other reporters to ask questions at the end because she had achieved her goal.

She wanted to package Zhu Tianying as a helpless woman and direct public opinion towards the board of directors behind Ren’s Film Industry because they were the ones obstructing Zhu Tianying’s inheritance rights.

As for whether Zhu Tianying really killed someone, Cheng Lisha didn’t care because she was paid to do her job.

The media planned to continue asking questions, but Cheng Lisha turned and entered the courthouse, not giving them any chance.

The crowd of media reporters could only stand there and stare helplessly.

What was Cheng Lisha implying, answering just two questions and then spouting a bunch of lines in support of Zhu Tianying? What were they supposed to do?

They had no choice but to report it as it was.

Why didn’t anyone from the Procuratorate, the other party in the case, come out to make a statement?

But they also wondered, since the Procuratorate had decided to prosecute Zhu Tianying, why didn’t they come out and speak?

The answer was simple: the Procuratorate didn’t send enough people and didn’t have the manpower to cope with the media.

In a courthouse preparation room by the window.

"Well, they are really mobilizing the media to create momentum for Zhu Tianying!"

"So, Cheng Lisha, I remember she’s quite powerful in the news industry. Her words just now are undoubtedly guiding public opinion!"

"Portraying Zhu Tianying as an underdog is most likely to win public support. And she’s also linking you guys at the Procuratorate with the evil ZB Family, creating dual pressure both inside and outside the courtroom!"

Zhang Wei walked back to his seat from the window, muttering complaints as he went.

He could obviously see that Zhu Tianying didn’t have the power to do this herself; this move was clearly Blackfoot’s doing.

Fortunately, the person bearing this pressure was no longer him.

In front of him, Li Yueqin was accompanying President Ding from Ren’s Film Industry in some simulation exercises.

President Ding would soon take the stand as the prosecution’s first witness.

Similarly, Xiao Baihe was also conducting simulation exercises for Tan Yingying.

After a weekend of investigation and coaching, Tan Yingying was finally not as timid as before.

Whenever she got nervous, she would take a few deep breaths on the spot to cheer herself up.

"The trial is about to start, let’s go in too!"

Zhang Wei glanced at the time and quickly urged everyone.

The group left the preparation room and then entered the courtroom.

The city court, Courtroom 1A.

The courtroom, with a capacity for one hundred people, seemed somewhat crowded at the moment.

The hearing room was full, with a few people even standing in the aisles; when the court guards prepared to expel them, they each produced a press card.

Clearly, there were too many reporters this time, so much so that the hearing room couldn’t accommodate them all.

Zhang Wei, seated in the front row of the hearing room, saw Tie Ruyun and Lin Yumeng, as well as Bai Meiqi and Bai Ruoyun, along with many lawyers from Jincheng, some of whom hadn’t even interacted with Zhang Wei.

"Well, it looks like everyone’s here to watch the excitement!"

He knew that his little apprentice and Old Tie might have come to support him, but the others were probably here for Zhu Tianying’s case, as this case was too high-profile.

Besides Jincheng Law Firm, he also spotted many people from other top law firms, and even Qin Shao from Longteng International had a seat in the hearing room.

"This is only the preliminary hearing and there are so many people here, won’t the actual trial day be even more exaggerated? The courtroom is probably not going to fit everyone, right?"

Seeing the number of people, Zhang Wei was genuinely astonished.

Luckily, as the lawyer representing the victim’s family, he could sit in the front prosecution benches and didn’t have to worry about not having a seat.

On the defense benches, Hu Yaode and Jiang Fengzhen had already taken their places, accompanying Zhu Tianying on either side.

Zhu Tianying, the defendant, still looked haggard, with her pale complexion and a hint of a sickly demeanor, which easily aroused people’s sympathy.

Zhang Wei and Tan Yingying walked into the middle of the court under everyone’s gaze and took their seats on the prosecution’s side.

"Where’s your big team from the Procuratorate Headquarters, why aren’t they here to support you?"

After scanning around, Zhang Wei noted that Zhao Chunming, who always supported his subordinates’ work, was absent today.

At this, Tan Yingying couldn’t help but sigh, "My supervisor said it’s my case, so I should be responsible for it. He wouldn’t come to support me!"

"Isn’t that a clear double standard?"

Zhang Wei muttered to himself in disbelief.

Every time he, Zhang Someone, had a case against Zhao Chunming, Zhao would attend, but now it was a case where Zhang Wei was the teammate, and he didn’t show up?

Zhao Chunming’s actions were indeed inviting criticism.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here!"

Zhang Wei could only comfort Tan Yingying, saying, "Today let me lead you, my teammate."

"Hope... hope so..." Tan Yingying replied weakly.

"All rise!"

As everyone waited, the judge finally made her entrance.

"Let us welcome the respected Judge Ni Qiuping!"

In walked a middle-aged woman with a stern face, clad in a judicial robe, as announced by the court guard.

"Wait, isn’t she the civil court judge?"

Seeing the newcomer, Zhang Wei immediately exclaimed in surprise.

"Judge... Judge... Judge Ni Qiuping..."

Tan Yingying, upon seeing the other party appear, had no color in her face, not even a hint of life.

"It’s actually this judge..."

At the defense’s bench, Hu Yaode frowned slightly.

"How come it’s her, a civil court judge?"

Even Jiang Fengzhen, sitting nearby, also showed confusion.

"Before the start of the trial, both the prosecution and the defense, come forward, I have something to say to you!"

After taking her seat, Judge Ni Qiuping gestured for both parties to come closer.

Though Tan Yingying’s legs were weak with fear, she approached, encouraged by Zhang Wei’s look.

Jiang Fengzhen also made her way to the front of the courtroom.

Judge Ni Qiuping motioned to the two, and Tan Yingying and Jiang Fengzhen moved closer, their heads nearly touching.

Judge Ni Qiuping lowered her head and whispered fiercely, "Do you know, because of this case, I’ve almost been driven to depression again; just because of that woman sitting at the defense’s bench, our city court is under immense pressure. Especially those damn male judges, they say the public opinion outside is fierce, all talking about a wealthy man oppressing a vulnerable woman, insisting she’s the victim, so they threw this shitty case to me, the only qualified female judge!"

"I thought about rejecting it, but the chief judge pulled me into his office and lectured me for a whole 30 minutes. Do you know how he berated me, do you have any idea what it takes to endure a slaughterhouse pig shrieking in your ear for 30 minutes, do you two understand?"

Tan Yingying and Jiang Fengzhen exchanged glances, both shaking their heads.

"Fine, I expect you to behave yourselves in court, this is my courtroom, and if you dare to be unruly, I’ll let you experience that feeling; I assure you, it will be a horror you’ll never want to remember for the rest of your lives!"

Judge Ni Qiuping pointed at Tan Yingying and Jiang Fengzhen and warned them as such.

Jiang Fengzhen managed to force a slight smile and nodded her head, seemingly okay.

Tan Yingying, however, was so frightened she forgot how to speak and didn’t even know how she made it back to the prosecution’s bench.

"Alright, let both parties state their arguments now!"

Judge Ni Qiuping banged the gavel and began presiding over the pre-trial proceedings.

Tan Yingying stood up first, suppressing the panic in her heart, her lips trembling as she said, "Your Honor... The prosecution believes... that the defendant, Zhu Tianying... committed the murder of the victim, Ren Xinwei..."

"... Therefore, the prosecution’s argument is for the charge of murder... to life imprisonment."

The few succinct sentences, because of the pressure from the judge, took Tan Yingying 2 minutes to complete.

Judge Ni Qiuping, sitting on the bench, was almost yawning.

"Defense?"

"Your Honor, our client, Miss Zhu Tianying, is innocent. She never intended to murder her husband, Ren Xinwei. Everything she did was self-defense. The defense advocates for an acquittal; Miss Zhu Tianying should be released without charge!"

"Okay, the court is now aware of both parties’ arguments!"

Judge Ni Qiuping confirmed with a bang of her gavel, then nodded towards the court guard, "Let the prospective jury enter, and hurry up!"

As the prospective jurors walked into the courtroom, the atmosphere gradually grew more solemn.

"Zhang Wei, what do we do next?" Tan Yingying leaned in and asked softly.

"Don’t rush; you’re the prosecution, let the defense ask questions first!"

Zhang Wei remained composed; after all, this time he could first observe the defense’s tactics.

Once all the prospective jurors were seated, Jiang Fengzhen stood up and approached the jury box.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, hello. I believe you’ve all heard of my client’s name to some extent, and with the recent headlines, the case has been extensively reported. I want to ask you, among you, how many can remain unbiased by public opinion and truly be fair and impartial?"

After Jiang Fengzhen’s inquiry, nobody in the jury box responded.

It was a difficult question to answer, indeed.

But that was the result Jiang Fengzhen wanted. She looked towards the bench:

"Your Honor, the defense requests the court to consider the situation of our client and the influence of public opinion. We earnestly ask for a ’sequestration’ of the jury for this trial, to prevent the overwhelming public opinion from influencing and interfering with the court’s decision!"

Hearing Jiang Fengzhen’s words, Judge Ni Qiuping was not surprised.

However, at the prosecution’s bench, Zhang Wei furrowed his brows.

Good heavens, the first move of the defense was actually this!