Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 587 - 580: Do People from Dongfang Capital All Like to Stir Things Up?

Chapter 587: Chapter 580: Do People from Dongfang Capital All Like to Stir Things Up?

In court.

The first witness was the ex-wife of the deceased, Sun Mou; she started her woeful cliché performance under Zhu Yuansi’s instruction.

However, since her current husband was sitting in the spectator’s seat, watching her, she couldn’t overdo it, at least not to the extent of appearing too eager to mourn Sun Mou.

This also greatly limited the ex-wife’s performance. Crying too miserably could displease her husband, but not crying miserably enough wouldn’t affect the jury.

Zhu Yuansi cursed internally, Zhang Wei, you’re quite something, to have actually brought the ex-wife’s current husband to court, just to counter this move of mine, huh?

If Zhang Wei could hear Zhu Yuansi’s complaint, he would answer yes.

I brought the ex-wife’s current husband here precisely to prevent you from using the ex-wife for your narrative and to stop her from playing the sympathy card!

Didn’t it work?

Several members of the jury could see it; this woman did nothing but cry on the witness stand, and her crying lacked genuine emotion, she really had no acting skill, we’re definitely scoring her zero points.

"Judge Bao, regarding Ms. Dou, our side has no questions for now!"

Soon, seeing the lack of desired impact, Zhu Yuansi hastened to finish presenting the evidence.

"Defense?"

Zhang Wei was ready without needing a reminder from Judge Bao.

He straightened his collar and walked up to the court.

"Ms. Dou, hello."

"Hello, lawyer," she replied.

The ex-wife looked at Zhang Wei, her eyes shifting somewhat evasively for no apparent reason.

That expression was clearly one of unease; possibly because her current husband was present, she feared Zhang Wei might ask some embarrassingly probing questions.

"Ms. Dou, you’re the ex-wife of the deceased Sun Mou, right? Were you his wife 12 years ago?"

"Yes."

"May I ask how long you were married?"

"About three years at that time."

"Oh, and how long had you been together?"

"Roughly six years."

"So that means, you knew Sun Mou really well, as you had six years of acquaintance, correct?"

The ex-wife glanced at her current husband in the spectator’s seat and nodded.

She couldn’t deny that, because it was common knowledge.

"Then I’d like to ask, what was Sun Mou’s occupation when he was alive? What did he do for a living?"

"That..."

What Sun Mou did to make a living wasn’t easy to answer.

Because the ex-wife knew Sun Mou’s status was somewhat dishonorable.

"Ms. Dou, this is court, surely you wouldn’t lie, right?"

"I... Of course not..."

"Alright then, please tell everyone here in court what Sun Mou’s occupation was..."

"He... He was kind of a gang member, responsible for managing streets and vendors, periodically collecting... ’protection fees’ from them..."

"Oh, a gang member!"

Zhang Wei nodded, then looked towards the court reporter.

"Please have the court reporter note this, it has not been mentioned in court 12 years ago; the deceased Sun Mou was a gang member who regularly collected ’protection fees’ from merchants, rather than an ordinary civilian as documented in the case files!"

The court reporter nodded and began taking notes.

Similarly, the jury and those in the spectator’s seat were surprised, wondering why this wasn’t on record before.

The truth is, a gang member’s identity is secretive; if you don’t speak up, who would know you’re part of a gang?

Moreover, Tie Ruyun, who was initially in charge of the case, didn’t delve into this aspect. His main job was to clear Guan Yuhong of wrongful charges.

As for Chen Xiao, who took over later, her goal was to get Guan Yuhong imprisoned. She’d have to be foolish to raise questions irrelevant to the case.

So, it was the first time for many in court to learn about Sun Mou’s "side occupation."

He was actually a stooge for a gang, a bully who specialized in extorting street vendors, and what was dubbed as ’protection fees’ was nothing but regular payments for protection rackets!

A bad guy!

Sun Mou was truly a bona fide bad guy!

This revelation made Prosecutor Zhu’s face show a hint of confusion.

Just one question had started turning the jury against the deceased; what was going on?

As for Sun Mou’s background, Zhu Yuansi did know some details but dismissed them as he was just a small member of a minor gang, nothing significant.

What Zhu Yuansi had not taken into account was the difference between her and the general public.

As a prosecutor in daily contact with criminals and gang members, she held little hostility towards perpetrators of crime.

In contrast, law-abiding citizens have strong aversions to hooligans, hoodlums, and the like.

Zhu Yuansi noticed the shift in the courtroom and immediately stood up to interrupt, "Objection, the deceased’s occupation is irrelevant to this case!"

"Even if he was a terrible person, it should be the law that punishes him, not as Lawyer Zhang says, attempting to use Sun Mou’s identity to idealize and justify the defendant’s act of murder. No one is above the law!"

"Moreover, the deceased is not just Sun Mou, the child in his arms was innocent, yet the child also died that day. How do we account for that?"

Zhu Yuansi said a lot, and even Judge Bao couldn’t help but nod.

Indeed, the child was innocent, and that was enough.

"Objection sustained, please Lawyer Zhang do not dwell on Sun Mou’s identity before his death. Our case is about the fact that he was murdered and tracing and analyzing the cause of his death. What he did in his life has little to do with this case!"

"No, Judge Bao, what Sun Mou did before his death actually does have a connection to this case!"

"What?"

Judge Bao was taken aback for a moment, clearly not catching on. He had just declared the objection valid, yet Zhang Wei dared to argue?

But after remembering that the other party was from Dongfang Capital, Judge Bao still gave Zhang Wei some face.

"Lawyer Zhang, what are you saying? I don’t understand."

"Judge Bao, please allow me to continue my questioning, may I?"

Judge Bao glanced at Zhu Yuansi, then at Zhang Wei, and fell silent for a moment.

"I’ll give you 2 minutes. I hope you can convince me to make this decision without regret!"

"Thank you for your understanding, Judge Bao!"

Zhang Wei nodded in appreciation, then immediately walked over to the witness stand.

"Ms. Dou, since you’ve come clean about your ex-husband’s occupation, could you tell me, did your ex-husband ever have altercations with many people when collecting land rent?"

"Of course, demand money from them for no reason, who would be sincerely willing to pay?"

The ex-wife spread her hands with a look of speechlessness.

"Then, how many people have cursed, wished ill upon him, or even wanted your ex-husband dead in their hearts?"

"I reckon there were a lot—pretty much anyone he collected land rent from wished he would just die..."

As the ex-wife spoke, her face took on a strange expression, because this was the truth.

years ago, Sun Mou was not a good person at all; he was quite the opposite.

To be hated was nothing new for him, otherwise why would the gang behind him send him to collect land rent?

"That’s strange then, you previously said your ex-husband was a decent man. Does being cursed at daily qualify as decent?"

"Ah, this..."

The ex-wife looked as if she had been caught in a lie, her expression suddenly stiffening.

But to embarrass the ex-wife was not Zhang Wei’s main goal.

His main objective was...

"Ms. Dou, please tell me honestly, how many people have you heard verbally say they wanted to kill your ex-husband?"

"This..."

The question truly stumped the ex-wife.

Because the number of people who felt that way was too many, she couldn’t even count them on her fingers.

"What, are there a lot?"

"Yes, a lot, way too many. I can’t remember them all..."

The ex-wife thought to herself, you’re clearly making this difficult for me!

But she didn’t dare say so.

Because the pressure Zhang Wei put on her was too great, she was afraid he might come up with a question she couldn’t answer on the spot.

"So you’re saying, there are a very, very large number of people who wished your ex-husband dead, right?"

After looking at Zhu Yuansi, the ex-wife reluctantly admitted, "...you could say that..."

"Then doesn’t that mean, apart from my client, there are many others who would harbor a murderous intent towards Guan Yuhong?"

As these words were spoken, many in the courtroom were stunned.

Zhu Yuansi and Judge Bao were also taken aback for a moment before coming to a realization.

So that was your purpose, Zhang Wei!

Zhu Yuansi had claimed Guan Yuhong’s motive for murdering Sun Mou was because they had an altercation.

Now, Zhang Wei proved one thing: Sun Mou had altercations with many people. Don’t all these people become suspects?

Judge Bao understood Zhang Wei’s intention but frowned.

Even if you can contend with the motive, what about the murder weapon?

And the murder weapon, that umbrella with only your client Guan Yuhong’s fingerprints, how do you explain that?

"Cough cough, thank you Ms. Dou for your testimony, but I have one final question, and I hope you can answer me honestly!"

"Ask away..."

Seeing the ex-wife’s response, Zhang Wei cracked a smile, his grin somewhat sinister.

"Ms. Dou, do you still love your ex-husband?"

"The ex-wife’s head spun when she heard the question.

It was what she had feared the most, and as Zhang Wei posed the question, she felt a piercing gaze from the witness stand.

Her current husband was looking at her with a sharp and serious expression.

This was a warning, mess up the answer and you’re done for!

""I... I don’t love my ex-husband anymore, after he died, I just...""

""Not in love, is that it?""

Zhang Wei couldn’t even be bothered to wait for the witness to finish, cutting her off mid-response.

""Yes, I don’t love him anymore."" the ex-wife hastily added while simultaneously glancing towards the witness stand.

Darling, you see, this is my answer.

The current husband seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and nodded, satisfied with her response.

""Judge Bao, I believe the witness is lying, and I’d like to request a rebuttal witness!""

At that moment, both the ex-wife and her current husband felt their hearts skip a beat from Zhang Wei’s words.

""Damn it, this is so unfair, husband, you have to believe me!""

The ex-wife was on the verge of hysteria, I truly don’t love Sun Mou anymore.

""A rebuttal witness, who might that be?""

Judge Bao was speechless, isn’t this just making a mockery of things, how can one prove such a matter?

""It’s simple, the rebuttal witness I wish to summon is Miss Sun!""

Zhang Wei pointed his finger, and it was directed unmistakably at the daughter of the deceased Sun Mou, the approximately 13-year-old girl in the witness stand.

""Objection!""

Zhu Yuansi immediately stood up, interrupting the proceedings.

""Judge Bao, what is the defense attorney trying to do, summoning a 13-year-old girl?""

""Judge Bao, when I was in court in Dongfang Capital, the prosecution even summoned an 8-year-old boy to testify. Miss Sun is already 13, she can distinguish right from wrong. Moreover, testifying in court is the duty of every citizen. Although Miss Sun is a minor, if she wishes to testify voluntarily, I don’t believe anyone has the right to stop her, do they?""

Judge Bao felt frustrated.

You people from Dongfang Capital, do you even act human, summoning an 8-year-old child to court?

However, Judge Bao quickly latched onto one point.

""You mentioned voluntary testimony?""

He quickly looked towards the witness stand, ""Miss Sun, do you wish to testify?""

""Don’t worry, you’re a minor, and if you don’t want to testify, no one can force you.""

The young girl glanced at her mother, Ms. Dou, who was frantically shaking her head, hinting at her daughter not to go up.

Then the girl looked to her stepfather next to her, who, after a long pause, decided to nod.

""Miss Sun, don’t worry, I won’t ask you too many questions. Besides, it seems your mother and stepfather are having some disagreements, do you need to clarify things by testifying?""

""Okay, I’m willing to testify!""

Seeing Miss Sun agree, Judge Bao could only shake his head towards Zhu Yuansi.

See, she’s agreed on her own, you shouldn’t fret about it, objection overruled.

Zhu Yuansi begrudgingly sat down.

In that moment, Ms. Dou gave up her seat for her daughter, and a 13-year-old girl sat in the witness box.

""Miss Sun, when alone with just the two of you, did your mother mention Sun Mou, your deceased father, many times?""

This question made Ms. Dou and the current husband on the witness stand very tense.

""My mom did mention him!""

""Many times?""

""Um, I don’t remember how many times... but there were quite a few, I guess?""

This response upset the current husband, and even the look he gave the person beside him changed somewhat.

Suddenly, Ms. Dou’s face looked on the verge of tears.

""Then, what exactly did your mother say about your biological father?""

""My mom said, if my dad hadn’t joined a gang, maybe he wouldn’t have had to die?""

Upon hearing this, the current husband furrowed his brow and Ms. Dou’s forehead began to sweat.

""She also said that if he hadn’t died, we, a mother and daughter alone, might not have suffered so much in the first few years.""

""She also said she’s grateful to have met my stepfather; otherwise, she might not have been able to hold on.""

""My stepfather is very good to us. Even though I know he’s not my biological father, I’ve always considered him as my dad in my heart. After mom found out, she always praised me for being sensible!""

At that point, Ms. Dou felt the pressure around her lessening significantly, and the current husband’s face, previously covered with dark clouds, suddenly cleared.

""That scared me to death..."" Ms. Dou panicked, patting her chest.

In just two minutes, her life had almost slipped away.

""Wife, I’m sorry for doubting you just now!""

"It’s okay, I have always loved you..."

In the courtroom, the girl’s reply dissolved the potential conflict that could have erupted into a clash.

"So, does this mean your mother doesn’t love your biological father anymore?"

"I guess so. I don’t really understand what love is. I only know what I like and dislike..."

The girl blinked, indicating her confusion.

"Alright then, let’s not dwell on this. Next, big brother wants you to do an experiment, and I hope you’ll cooperate!"

Zhang Wei smiled faintly, revealing his true intentions.

He had called the girl to the stand merely as a lesson for Sun Mou’s ex-wife, to scare her a bit.

Now that his minor goal was accomplished, it was time to reveal his real purpose.

Zhang Wei walked towards the defense’s table and took a briefcase from Tie Ruyun’s hands before heading to the front of the courtroom.

After putting on two white plastic gloves from the briefcase, he tipped the briefcase over, spilling its contents in front of the girl.

"Miss Sun, do you like playing with blocks? Here are some toys. Please put them together, and just as a reminder, these toys can be put together to form a sword~"

The girl, looking at the building block toys in front of her, didn’t overthink it and began to assemble them.

The entire courtroom was baffled.

Many exchanged glances, utterly clueless as to why Zhang Wei asked the girl to play with building blocks in the middle of a trial.

Judge Bao glanced at Zhu Yuansi, who shrugged to indicate his confusion.

The lawyers from Dongfang Capital like to pull stunts, huh?

Both were completely speechless.

Fortunately, two minutes later, the building blocks were assembled.

The result was a two-foot long toy sword made of the building blocks.

"Miss Sun, do you like to perform?"

"I have performed in plays during school activities."

"Good, when the time comes, you do this and that..."

Zhang Wei whispered a few words into the girl’s ear, and she nodded her head in agreement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please watch closely."

As Zhang Wei spoke, he raised the toy sword, gesturing for everyone to look at him.

He didn’t need to remind them, for all eyes were already on him.

Just then, the girl stepped down from the stand and walked to the center of the courtroom, turning her back on Zhang Wei.

"Hehehe, you wench, your time to die has come!"

Zhang Wei sported an evil grin, resembling a movie villain, as he sneakily approached the girl.

Then, with a thrust, he aimed the toy sword directly at the girl’s back.

"Pfft!" Along with the thrust of the toy sword, Zhang Wei performed some sound effects as well.

"Ah, I’m dead~"

The girl also feigned a scream, clutching her chest and falling stiffly, quickly twitching before closing her eyes.

"This..."

The entire audience, shocked by the performance, stared agape.

What was the meaning of this kindergarten-level act?

Judge Bao, on the bench, gaped openly.

Do you people from Dongfang Capital particularly enjoy making a scene?

"Everyone, as you can see, did I kill the girl?"

All instinctively nodded, then shook their heads.

How could a toy sword made of building blocks kill someone?

Zhang Wei ignored their reactions and walked over to Zhu Yuansi, placing the "murder weapon" on his table.

"Prosecutor Zhu, if we were to collect fingerprints from this ’weapon,’ what result do you think we would get?"

Zhu Yuansi’s pupils suddenly shrank as he looked at the toy sword in front of him.

If one were to extract fingerprints from the toy sword, what would be found?

There would be only one outcome: the "weapon" would only bear the fingerprints of the girl.

Since the girl was the one who assembled the toy sword, only her fingerprints would be on it.

As for the real "murderer," Zhang Wei, he had been wearing gloves the entire time and couldn’t have left any fingerprints on the "weapon."

"Prosecutor Zhu, I think you understand now, don’t you?"

Seeing Zhu Yuansi’s pupils constrict, Zhang Wei smiled.

His performance had achieved its purpose!