MWC – Chapter 124 Reversal

I AM DROPPING THIS NOVEL. IF ANYONE WANTS TO CONTINUE THEY CAN. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SHARE THE LINK SO I CAN BINGE READ TOO.

After the temporary adjournment, several informant witnesses gave their testimony one after another. Although their accounts differed slightly from James’s, they all generally indicated that Jeff Renault’s behavior during the crimes was inconsistent with his usual demeanor.

Some said Jeff went mad, others that he was dazed, and still others that he screamed incoherently.

Lu Ming also questioned these informant witnesses but did not achieve much success.

“In court, I request to call my expert witness, Walker Barber, who is employed at the Imperial Academy of Mental Health Research Institute.”

After the last informant witness left, Richard bowed slightly.

Walker appeared to be a gentlemanly figure, and he sat on the witness stand with an air of credibility.

“Mr. Walker, you have issued a report on severe mental disorder for Jeff Renault, also known as Little Renault, correct?”

Walker nodded slightly, “Yes.”

“Based on your diagnosis, what mental issues does Mr. Renault have?”

“I lived with him for half a month, observing and testing him daily. He is a very intelligent person who has always hidden his severe mental issues. However, under specific environmental stimuli, he experiences severe hallucinations. After in-depth communication with his father, we have accurately identified the cause of his symptoms.”

“Oh? Then please tell us, why does he have these episodes?”

Walker sighed, “Although it involves the patient’s privacy, and Mr. Renault firmly disagrees with disclosing his condition, given his lack of self-awareness, and with his father’s consent, I am willing to testify in court.”

“Before Mr. Renault Sr. invested in the film industry, the Renault family lived on a farm in the countryside. When Jeff Renault was four years old, a horrifying incident occurred on that farm where several farmworkers, all Central State people, killed Jeff Renault’s uncle. Jeff was hiding in the stable playing hide-and-seek, concealed in the straw, and witnessed the entire event.”

“Although he did not show it at the time, the bloody massacre left a deep imprint on his mind.”

“The song ‘Shepherd’s Tune’ was playing in the stable at the time, and being in an environment filled with straw also greatly stimulates Mr. Renault. In his hallucinatory world, he believes he must protect himself, and the images of Central State people turn into demons he has to kill.”

“I conducted multiple tests and communicated with him during his mental breakdowns, recording our conversations. We can watch some of these clips.”

Richard bowed slightly to the judge, “I request to play one of the clips.”

Judge Dempsey nodded.

Jordan glanced at Lu Ming, recalling that Commissioner Lu had famously used film clips in the Kato case. It seemed the other side was now following his example.

Lu Ming remained expressionless, deep in thought.

Thick curtains were drawn, and a projector and screen were brought in.

Soon, images appeared on the screen, accompanied by sound.

Jeff Renault sat elegantly on a sofa, chatting casually with Walker. There were several large posters nearby depicting various ethnic groups.

The conversation touched on national and societal matters, and Jeff’s insights were quite unique, showing a concern for the middle class.

The jurors were absorbed.

In the film, a segment of “Shepherd’s Tune” began to play. Jeff suddenly shuddered, and his eyes grew vacant.

He abruptly stood up, walked towards the posters, and picked up a knife from the floor, stabbing forcefully at a poster depicting a Central State person.

Walker approached him, stopping him and loudly asking, “What are you doing?!”

Jeff responded blankly, “God is speaking to me. He tells me to kill all the demons, all the demons!”

Then, the props were quickly taken away, and Jeff walked back to the sofa, sitting dazedly for a long time before suddenly snapping back to reality, “What happened? What’s going on?”

Walker asked if he remembered what just happened.

Jeff shook his head in confusion.

Walker changed the topic, and Jeff nonchalantly resumed their conversation.

Jordan frowned, muttering, “A family in the film industry, so fake!”

The film clip ended, and the curtains were drawn open, brightening the courtroom.

Walker continued, “We can see that Jeff Renault has suffered significant mental trauma, originating from the brutal murder of his beloved uncle by several Central State people, casting an indelible darkness over his young soul. But in reality, if not stimulated, he is well-mannered and insightful on various matters, a gentleman with a compassionate heart.”

“He is a very pitiful person. I hope to continue treating him to save him from his dark world.”

Most jurors looked sympathetic, with some wiping tears from their eyes.

After all, many Westerners in the middle class still yearned for the good old days. However, in the East Sea, the competitiveness of Central State people was strong. Despite their low political status, their success in various fields brought unprecedented pressure to many Westerners.

Jeff Renault could undoubtedly be seen as a representative of young Western gentlemen. Yet at a young age, he experienced the brutal murder of a loved one by Central State thugs, driving him mad. Otherwise, he would have been such a promising young man.

His future was destroyed by Central State thugs.

“Your Honor, I have no further questions!” Richard bowed slightly.

Lu Ming approached Walker, “Actually, Mr. Walker, you did not mention that the incident twenty years ago, on May 13, Imperial Year 930, started because Jim Renault, the victim and Jeff Renault’s uncle, was extremely brutal, often torturing his workers…”

Jordan was stunned. Had Commissioner Lu known about this case all along?

This was the first time he had heard of it.

Commissioner Lu’s preparation for this case was indeed meticulous.

“Objection!” Richard raised his hand, “We are not here to debate a twenty-year-old case. According to my information, Jim Renault was a very friendly neighbor. Debating this further will lead nowhere. The key issue is that Jim Renault’s character is irrelevant to this case!”

Judge Dempsey nodded, “Objection sustained!”

Lu Ming looked at Walker, “Regardless, if we find the newspapers from that time, there are many reports on Jim Renault, and the negative aspects are numerous.”

“Prosecution, follow the court’s guidance! Do not entangle in the character of a deceased person from twenty years ago.” Judge Dempsey frowned.

Lu Ming nodded, “Mr. Walker, do you believe that Mr. Jeff Renault committed these brutal murders under hallucinations?”

Walker looked calmly at Lu Ming, “First, I must correct you. Those people were not Jeff Renault’s accomplices but thugs who lured him into crime. They are the true criminals.”

“Secondly, yes, Jeff Renault made mistakes under hallucinations.”

Lu Ming nodded, “The mistakes you refer to are the brutal killings of living people, some tortured cruelly.”

Walker sighed, “But I must say, in fact, with Jeff Renault present, those victims might have suffered less, reducing the time of their torture. Although Jeff Renault indeed made mistakes, or rather, committed crimes under hallucinations, he could not recognize or control his actions at those times and thus bears no criminal responsibility.”

Lu Ming smiled, “Mr. Walker, are you now also a legal expert?”

“Prosecution, watch your words!” Judge Dempsey frowned again.

“Mr. Walker, according to you, Little Renault could not possibly be the organizer of the White Rose group and the mastermind behind these murders?”

“Yes, a mentally ill patient experiencing hallucinations would not have the capability for meticulous organization and planning.”

Lu Ming nodded, “Alright, thank you, Mr. Walker!” He looked towards the judge’s bench, “Your Honor, I have no further questions.”

Richard stood up, “Your Honor, in light of Mr. Walker’s testimony, I request to recall the second defendant in this case.”

Booker once again took the witness stand.

“Mr. Booker, you suddenly retracted your statement given at the police station, claiming that a staff member from Renault Films bribed you to take the blame as the organizer and mastermind of these murders. Is that correct?”

Booker nodded, “Yes.”

“But after your lawyer officially filed a report, the police found that there was no such staff member at Renault Films.”

Booker tilted his head, “Maybe it was an alias. Anyway, I know him. Jeff Renault often used him to contact me.”

“Alright, the person might have used an alias, or might not even be from Renault Films because according to your description, there is no such person there.”

“So, where’s the money?”

Booker was stunned, “What?”

“I mean, the bribe! It must have been a substantial amount of money to take the blame for crimes that could result in the death penalty. Where is that money now?”

Booker bit his lip, “I have an illegitimate child. I gave the money to him, and I won’t reveal who he is or where he is because the money would be confiscated.”

Richard immediately shouted, “You’re lying! Due to a childhood gunshot wound, you are infertile! That’s why you’ve become so violent and aggressive!”

Booker’s face turned ashen.

Lu Ming nodded slightly. The money probably did exist and might be with someone important to Booker, but he hadn’t been able to track it down. However, it wasn’t the main point anymore.

Instead, this reversal was being directed brilliantly.

Richard, with a stern expression, said, “Actually, you are the mastermind behind these murders. Moreover, you lured Jeff Renault into your organization, making him participate in the murders without realizing it.”

“How did you know that Jeff Renault would lose control in specific environments?!”

“I didn’t know!” Booker vehemently denied, but he looked flustered.

“You knew, and it was part of your meticulous plan to control Jeff Renault. Because you knew your father’s inheritance couldn’t sustain your illegal activities indefinitely, you began searching for new sources of funding. When you accidentally discovered Jeff Renault’s secret, you made him your new target. You deliberately lured him to kill in an unconscious state to blackmail him for funding in the future, right?”

“I didn’t! What evidence do you have?!” Booker was becoming increasingly agitated.

“Objection! The first defendant’s lawyer is maliciously speculating about my client!” Hancock stood up abruptly.

Judge Dempsey waved him down, and Hancock reluctantly sat back down.

Richard stared at Booker, “Then why were photos of Jeff Renault killing people found at your home?”

Booker’s face turned deathly pale.

Richard said calmly, “You planned to use these photos to blackmail Jeff Renault when your funds ran out, didn’t you?”

He bowed slightly towards the judge’s bench, “I have no further questions.”

Booker’s testimony and related matters had always been studied by Jordan. Chief Prosecutor Lu Ming focused on Jeff Renault.

Watching the scene unfold, Jordan felt a chill in his heart.

He had nothing to ask because Richard had solidified Booker’s role as the main culprit.

But it was all an act.

Not being a juror, Jordan had access to various sources and viewed issues from different perspectives.

Thinking back to Hancock’s plea bargain earlier, he had thought it was a good deal, though it meant Booker wouldn’t be sent to the gallows. However, life imprisonment in exchange for a strong witness against Jeff Renault seemed worth it, albeit a bit regretful.

But now, it was clear that Lu’s decision to ignore Hancock was correct.

If he had accepted the plea bargain, not only would Booker have escaped the death penalty, but as a prosecution witness, he would have been exposed by Richard, undermining the credibility of the prosecution’s case against Jeff Renault.

Thankfully, they avoided disaster, though the case against Jeff Renault was still in dire straits.

At least there was still hope.

Jordan glanced at Lu Ming. If there were another chief prosecutor, he might have suggested amending the charges against Jeff Renault by now.

A good outcome would be a few years in prison for Jeff Renault; a bad outcome would be house arrest for psychiatric treatment for two or three years.

But now, Jeff Renault might be directly acquitted because the charges were for being the organizer and mastermind of a terrorist organization, a very old charge, first-degree public endangerment, a severe charge formed during the late feudal empire, used against notorious pirates and gang leaders. Once convicted, they would be executed. Nowadays, this charge was so old that it had never been formally repealed.

In short, these charges were not very credible.

However, the chief prosecutor was Lu Ming.

Jordan couldn’t bring himself to suggest anything. The young man beside him seemed unfathomable, leaving him hesitant to offer any advice.