MWC – Chapter 127 Emergency

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

Golden Mack Hotel, in the temporary strategy room of the task force, there was a burst of jubilation.

Although, at the strong request of attorney Richard, Judge Dempsey ultimately announced a five-day adjournment to give the defense time to investigate the prosecution’s new evidence.

The new evidence and closing arguments would be heard five days later. If the defense did not present any new arguments, the case would proceed directly to closing statements.

However, the task force’s prosecutors and police officers couldn’t help but feel excited. The situation was looking very favorable for their side.

Commissioner Lu’s performance in court and his exceptional control over the entire case made them confident that he would not lose this case in five days.

…

Outside, the cheers continued.

In the study, Lu Ming silently smoked. An attorney like Richard, in any era, was of the highest caliber.

Facing such an opponent, as long as the verdict hadn’t been announced, one couldn’t let their guard down.

Lu Ming had played an information gap, rendering the robust defensive structure that Richard had prepared ineffective.

But for him, what could possibly have been overlooked?

The study door was gently knocked, and Jordan pushed the door open, then turned and closed it, shutting out the ongoing jubilant discussions from outside.

Seeing Jordan’s face full of excitement, Lu Ming smiled and extinguished his cigarette.

“Commissioner, did you anticipate that the other side would argue the mental illness angle? And you realized the counter-strategy early on, so you had that scumbag Silov detained and monitored early? Just to argue that Renault could meticulously plan and organize assassinations, thus proving he’s not a mental patient? At least, he’s equally cruel and ruthless when he’s sober?”

Jordan, filled with admiration, was so excited that he lost his usual gentlemanly restraint and referred to Silov as a scumbag.

Lu Ming smiled.

“The first-degree public safety hazard charge also circumvented the jurors’ legal obligations to convict Renault of some legal responsibilities. Regardless of whether Renault was mentally ill during the serial killings or if the evidence chain for planning attacks against you and Miss Nicole was flawless, they don’t need to consider those but judge from an overall perspective whether Renault should be convicted under this charge.”

Lu Ming smiled, “Actually, I was mainly considering the sentencing issue.”

Jordan was stunned for a moment, then realized that a first-degree public safety hazard charge would almost certainly result in the death penalty based on all precedents.

In the empire’s legal system, judges have the discretion to make sentencing decisions.

In the Eastern Sea, prosecutors have significant power to recommend sentences, but ultimately, it depends on the judge’s ruling.

Even if Renault was found guilty of other charges, as long as Richard did not completely fail in his defense, Judge Dempsey would have reasons not to sentence Renault to death but to life imprisonment or a lengthy sentence, ensuring the person doesn’t die but waits for a possible pardon or similar opportunity.

But a first-degree public safety hazard charge, with all precedents, resulted in the death penalty, although the most recent precedent was over a century ago.

However, if the jury found Renault guilty of this charge, Judge Dempsey would be obligated to sentence Renault to death. If he didn’t, the prosecution would have enough grounds to appeal his decision and investigate whether there was any collusion between Dempsey and the Renault family. If evidence was found, they could request Court to remove him from the bench. Of course, that would require an independent prosecutor, not their office.

Given all these consequences, Judge Dempsey would likely not dare to place himself in an awkward or even dangerous position by going against public sentiment.

Looking at Lu Ming, Jordan was full of admiration.

Lu Ming smiled. Actually, he had thought of a third layer: the appeal process, but he didn’t need to explain that to Jordan.

This charge would leave Renault’s appeal with no room for maneuver.

If found guilty, the other side would inevitably appeal to the Eastern Sea High Court.

According to the empire’s laws, the Supreme Federal Court does not recognize appeals as a constitutional right. Whether a defendant has the right to appeal is determined by regions, states, or provinces. If recognized as a constitutional right, it could lead to frivolous lawsuits, wasting judicial resources of the regions, states, or provinces.

This point is similar to a certain Western country from his past life.

The Eastern Sea regional laws allow appeals, but only to the Eastern Sea High Court, which is the final decision-making body.

The appellate court, composed of career judges, generally conducts a paper review without calling witnesses, examining evidence, or holding arguments.

The case is handled by one appellate judge, with all judges deliberating.

Moreover, the appellate stage cannot overturn the factual findings made by the jury.

This is also similar to maritime countries from his previous life.

In other words, the appellate court only reviews legal errors made by the judge, including the application of substantive law and procedural law, not determining the facts of the crime.

For example, if inadmissible evidence was wrongly accepted during the trial, adversely affecting the defendant.

Or if the judge violated certain courtroom rules, significantly impacting the trial outcome.

These are the aspects reviewed by the appellate court.

If the jury finds Renault guilty of a first-degree public safety hazard, the appellate court cannot challenge the jury’s decision.

It primarily reviews whether there were any procedural errors during the trial that significantly affected the defendant.

So, if Renault is convicted, the chances of a successful appeal are minimal.

Thinking it over, Lu Ming said, “Now, the defense will likely want to delay the trial, hoping for a turnaround.”

Jordan nodded, his expression becoming serious.

Dealing with a legal giant like Richard was not easy.

“Next, they will probably try to attack the credibility of our two witnesses, Silov and Amanda, to undermine their testimonies and make the jurors distrust them.”

Jordan nodded silently.

“In that case, it’s time for the media to speak up for us. Although the witnesses cannot be interviewed, the media can interview people who know them, bringing their images to life. They have many flaws, but they are also flesh-and-blood people. Many people’s lives, when looked back upon at the end, may seem tragic. It’s just that their lives, especially tragic. Life is full of helplessness.”

Lu Ming sighed, looking at Jordan, “They also have their shining points. Find a way to dig them out.”

Jordan nodded slightly. Finding the merits of a scumbag and a serial killer’s mistress was indeed a challenge.

But if this little task still required the commissioner’s attention, then sitting in the second chief prosecutor’s position would be a disgrace.

Suddenly, the door was knocked urgently, and Cantona came in quickly. “Commissioner, the vehicle transporting Amanda was attacked. There were over twenty armed assailants, but they’ve been defeated. One of our team members is seriously injured.”

Lu Ming frowned. What does this mean? Done by Renault’s enemies? Deliberately making the jury’s impression of him even worse?

Because even if the witness is killed now, having already testified in court would not affect the jury’s recognition of the testimony’s legitimacy. Instead, knowing that Amanda’s testimony was fatal to Renault, killing the witness would only make the jury more determined to convict Renault.

And sending over twenty armed assailants made it look very serious.

“We captured two alive. They said they were gathered temporarily by the leader, who told them it was a lucrative commission from Sir Renault.”

“Did we catch the leader?” Lu Ming asked.

Cantona shook his head and frowned, “But their firepower was real, which is very strange.”

Apparently, his first thought was also that it was Renault’s enemies adding fuel to the fire.

Jordan gritted his teeth. “Maybe this ‘fake Renault’ is actually the real Sir Renault. They’d have other plans regardless of whether the witnesses were killed or not. I think Sir Renault has gone mad for his younger son!”

Lu Ming nodded lightly, considering that possibility as well.