Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime
Chapter 1153: Win or Lose_1

Chapter 1153: Chapter 1153: Win or Lose_1

The lawyer stood in front of the jury, slowly shaking his head.

"Forgive my frankness, but the reason we are here today is not because a dog has died, but because our pure, upright, and loving Miss Purple Summers Simonson happened to encounter a pitiful 80-year-old woman who had lost her beloved pet. Her sympathy was uncontrollable, and so we are here to judge a human being over an animal!"

"Please take a look at my client." The lawyer strode over to the defendant. "Here is a fine young man. He has parents, a wife, friends. He is kind to others, responsible at work, and he is about to get a promotion and a pay raise. His life will get better and better, and perhaps he’ll no longer need to drown his sorrows in drink. But now, are we going to ruin his life over a dog?"

The lawyer reiterated one last time: "No matter how emotionally charged the prosecution’s statements are, we must soberly recognize that it was a dog, an animal, nothing more!"

Both parties concluded their statements.

The judge asked the jury members to leave their seats and enter the jury room to begin their discussion.

Purple Summers felt a heavy weight on her heart. The defense’s argument was very strong, and the trial had gone just as she had expected; the hope of winning was slim.

She turned her head to look at the elderly lady.

The elderly lady’s head was bowed, holding a photo of her little dog, tears streaming down her face without a sound.

Purple wanted to say a few words of comfort. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the right words...

In the time that had passed, the elderly lady either wept or sat in a silent daze. The many years of living alone had left her unable to express herself, and she seldom spoke even on regular days.

Purple couldn’t help but think, how would the elderly lady live in the future? As her age increased, her health would deteriorate, and all she received each year in relief funds was only 135... Perhaps she could be sent to a nursing home supported by Alexander Summers?

But those nursing homes were in different places. Would the elderly lady be willing to leave her home?

...

After about an hour or more, the jury had a verdict.

This was much quicker than Purple had anticipated.

Everyone reconvened in the courtroom, waiting for the sentencing.

A representative of the jury members held up the opinion report, reading word by word: "Defendant Milton Fletcher, for brutally killing a domestic animal, we find that it fits the crime of damaging a specific memorial item with sentimental value, ruling a compensation for emotional distress of 300 thousand."

A scream erupted in the courtroom!

An outcry!

A tumult!

Then came exclamations and chaotic applause!

Total chaos!

Everyone was shocked by the outcome—300 thousand! Milton Fletcher had to pay the price of 300 thousand for his actions!

Even Purple was taken aback. Her eyes warmed, 300 thousand was enough for the elderly lady to live comfortably in her later years.

But the elderly lady was just stunned, seemingly unable to grasp the situation.

The judge pounded the gavel forcefully: "Order! Order!!!"

The echo resonated, and the people finally restrained their excitement, gradually quieting down.

The judge said, "It is with regret that the jury members have made an extremely irrational decision. I declare that the 300 thousand compensation is reduced to 300."

Everyone was stunned.

The outcome was a roller coaster, and the crowd didn’t know how to adjust their expressions.

How could this be? 300 thousand turned into 300? What’s the difference between that and 75?

Purple’s heart also sank sharply!

The judge had the discretion, and when he believed the jury had issues with the understanding of the facts or the law, he could overturn the decision!

"However..." the judge began to speak again, "the defendant’s actions were undoubtedly cruel and against the moral climate of a decent society, and ignoring this would bring a very bad influence on our society. Therefore, the court sentences Milton Fletcher to a suspended sentence of one year, with custody for 3 months, to be executed immediately."

The judge looked at Milton Fletcher: "I hope that during this year you will behave yourself."

This meant that if Fletcher abused animals again within that year, he would be genuinely imprisoned.

Conversely, if he behaved well, he wouldn’t have to go to jail.

For a moment, Purple felt conflicted, unsure whether this outcome was a victory or a loss.