MWC – Chapter 69 Sudden Death (Part 1)

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

The case of Kato Masahichi finally went to trial. As soon as the opening statements were delivered, Cheng Lingyu and Yamakawa engaged in a fierce battle. The prosecution presented the testimony of the surviving boy, but used the psychologist’s report to oppose Yamakawa’s request to call the boy as a witness. Ultimately, the presiding judge, Feng Xuefan, ruled the evidence invalid unless the boy could appear in court and personally recount the events to the jury.

In the afternoon, the two sides clashed over whether the photos of Kato Masahichi committing murder were fabricated. Yamakawa produced forged photos of Cheng Lingyu committing the crime and a blackmail letter from Jin Zhengyi. The jury was in an uproar, and there was no doubt that the credibility of this critical evidence had been shaken by Yamakawa.

Then, a shocking news broke outside the courtroom. Yamakawa requested a recess, which Judge Feng immediately granted.

It turned out that a servant, who had been reported missing by Kato Masahichi months ago, was arrested while attempting to molest a boy. During the interrogation, the police discovered that while working for Kato’s family, this servant had tricked several children into the basement he cleaned regularly. There, he murdered the boys, dismembered their bodies, and disposed of them in garbage bags, which were later incinerated. The servant fled after the murders were exposed.

The servant signed a confession but then died of a heart attack.

Upon hearing this news, Yamakawa immediately filed a written motion to the court, arguing that there were too many doubts in the case, and that the evidence was insufficient to prove his client’s guilt. He suggested that the servant and Jin Zhengyi had colluded to frame his client. Furthermore, based on the servant’s confession, the true murderer had already been identified, and he requested the court to dismiss the case and declare his client not guilty.

…

In the “conference room” of Jinshun Hotel, under the flickering gas lamp, Cheng Lingyu’s face was even more unpredictable.

The prosecutors and police officers sitting around the long table also looked heavy-hearted, and no one dared to speak.

It could only be said that Yamakawa was too strong, having set this trap months ago.

If the servant had fled only after the bloodstains were discovered by the prosecution, it would undoubtedly be less convincing to the jury.

But the fact was that he had fled months ago, and Kato’s side had reported it to the police, which could be verified.

It was clear that Yamakawa had laid this groundwork long ago, ready to use it when needed. Now, it was proving useful.

Moreover, the most insidious part was that the servant died of a heart attack after signing the confession. To be frank, the police used a bit of force during the interrogation. The forensic examination showed that he had taken a cardiotonic drug beforehand, which, combined with the beating, induced the heart attack.

Of course, the final autopsy report stated that he died of a sudden heart attack.

This was indeed well calculated. It couldn’t be said that he had poisoned himself in advance, and the police had to cover up the true cause of death.

Therefore, the servant’s confession could not be questioned.

In reality, how severe could the police’s punishment of an Eastern servant be? It was said they just gave him a few punches and slaps, mainly causing him discomfort with the handcuffs, but for a normal person, it would have been manageable. However, this servant wasn’t normal, which led to this situation.

The subtleties of this were chilling for every prosecutor to ponder.

Their opponent was too terrifying, as if they had calculated everything, including the police’s likely use of inhumane methods.

Then, they took advantage of it.

What else could be said?

It could only be said that a great lawyer is truly great, deserving of their near-legendary reputation. Even if they lost, it would be because they were outmatched.

Everyone felt a bit dejected, sensing the insurmountable strength of their opponent.

Many prosecutors were filled with a sense of powerlessness.

“It’s all off-the-record tactics, quite pointless…”

Everyone was taken aback and looked over. It was the youngest attorney, Lu Qianxing, who spoke, shaking his head in apparent boredom.

Lu Ming indeed found it quite boring. As a top-tier lawyer, he expected real legal battles, but these underhanded tricks, while seemingly impressive and intricate, made him lose the desire to engage.

Everyone felt a bit helpless, thinking only he could say that. Others wouldn’t dare speak like that.

Wang Xiaohu loudly agreed, “Exactly, these Easterners, the saying is true, they just know how to play dirty tricks!”

Cheng Lingyu frowned, “Xiaohu, mind your identity when you speak!” As a prosecutor, he couldn’t say anything like that. He then looked at Lu Ming with a smile, “Lawyer Lu is right. These are just off-the-record tactics by Yamakawa.”

It seemed his mood had improved. He felt that with morale so low, Lu Ming’s words could somewhat boost their spirits.

Lu Ming took a sip of tea, “Prosecutor Cheng, we can argue that the servant’s confession is hearsay evidence.”

Hou Dexing rolled his eyes but didn’t dare speak lightly now. This Lu, with his excellent eloquence, could easily leave him at a loss for words, which wasn’t worth it.

Hearsay evidence generally refers to a witness relaying someone else’s words as evidence or merely providing written testimony without appearing in court.

Like the testimony of the surviving child, which Yamakawa had already contested as hearsay evidence.

But this servant was an adult who made a signed confession according to legal procedures. Despite his accidental death, under current legal standards, his testimony would likely be deemed admissible in most courts. The issue was its credibility, which would be left to the jury to decide. It was unlikely to be dismissed outright as invalid.

Cheng Lingyu frowned slightly, “Isn’t that difficult?”

Lu Ming replied, “Actually, it’s not impossible. For example, in a case from my hometown, an elderly woman was harsh and often blamed her son for many of her life’s misfortunes, complaining to neighbors. One time she fell and hit her head, and upon regaining consciousness, she told the doctor her son had pushed her off the chair. The doctor called the police, but the woman died shortly after.”

“Given her usual behavior, always blaming her son for everything, and without realizing she was about to die, the court ruled her dying words as hearsay evidence in the absence of strong evidence.”

“So, if—and I say if—Kato Masahichi’s servant habitually boasted or was agitated by something, not knowing he would die after giving the confession, his confession might not be accepted as valid evidence.”

Cheng Lingyu’s eyes lit up, though he found it incredible, “Which court in your hometown had such a precedent?”

Lu Ming was actually referring to a case from his previous life. He smiled, “Prosecutor Cheng, let me buy you dinner. We can discuss in detail how to turn Yamakawa’s off-the-record tactics into hearsay evidence.”

“Alright, alright!” Cheng Lingyu waved to everyone, “Dismissed!”

The prosecutors and police officers immediately felt relieved and left.

Cheng Lingyu smiled at Lu Ming, “Now that everyone’s gone, tell me, how can we turn this into hearsay evidence?”

Lu Ming smiled, seeing that Cheng Lingyu had guessed his intention. If it were just to discuss the case, he wouldn’t have minded inviting everyone. Clearly, his strategy wasn’t something he wanted everyone to hear.

He knew there were probably spies among the prosecutors and police officers who might leak information to the Easterners.

After all, Yamakawa loved to play off-the-record tricks.

“Prosecutor Cheng, dismissing the hearsay evidence, even if successful, still leaves us at a disadvantage. I have another idea I want to discuss with you…”

Lu Ming’s voice grew softer.

Even from outside the door, listening through the gap, the words gradually became inaudible.

Then, suddenly, there was a burst of happy laughter from Cheng Lingyu.