CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 110: PLEASE CALL THE NEXT DEFENDANT

If the normal trial process had been followed, after confirming that the evidence was accurate, he would have been sentenced for defamation. As for the sentencing, it was highly likely to be the maximum penalty.

"Zhang... Lawyer Zhang..." Han Suiyue quickly turned around and looked at Zhang Wei by his side, casting a pleading look.

Zhang Wei nodded and immediately stood up. He responded, "We have no objections to the aforementioned evidence.

"However, this case is rather complex. The original video concealed the truth and misled the public, which led to our client being unable to discern right from wrong, resulting in cyber violence."

After yesterday’s court session had ended, he revisited the defamation case and identified several key points for defense. The most important of these was that the online abusers ’were misled.’ Although most cyber abusers were blindfolded and neither cared about nor sought the truth, this point was particularly important in court.

"They simply believed that the delivery was delayed by a few minutes, which led them to become righteous and overwhelmingly sympathetic, eventually leading to cyber violence," Zhang Wei continued his defense. "During sentencing, I humbly request the court to take this circumstance into consideration."

He made every effort to maximize his client’s interests.

At that moment, Wang Dachui also stood up and countered, "We do not agree with the opposing lawyer’s statement.

"In our country, instances of cyber violence occur frequently. The actions of the defendants and others have been widely spread and are extremely malicious.

"Han Suiyue’s comments maliciously cursed our client. Even if unaware of the truth, one should not engage in such irrational acts.

"These comments severely harmed our client’s interests and caused significant emotional distress, leading our client to now require four dishes and one soup for every meal, making up five dishes...

"Furthermore, according to our understanding, the comments under the original video have now disappeared; this occurred after the court accepted and filed the case.

"This clearly shows that the defendants have no remorse and blatantly destroyed and hid evidence after learning the incident had escalated!

"This behavior has caused great difficulty for our evidence collection and the prosecutor’s evidence gathering. Please, collegial panel, take this into consideration when making your judicial decision!"

This point was also a key defensive strategy he and Qin Mu had formulated the previous night. After the incident, hiding or destroying evidence were actions that alone could significantly increase the sentence.

When Zhang Wei heard this, he frowned slightly. This point was something he inevitably could not defend against. All fifty-six defendants he represented had deleted their original comments. The act of destroying and hiding evidence was nearly undeniable. Yet, he did not lose his composure. He continued to defend, "The act of our clients destroying evidence indeed hindered judicial evidence gathering, but it was a panic response after receiving the court summons, which is a common human reaction.

"It was not an intentional hindrance of judicial evidence gathering..."

The bickering commenced once again.

In the courtroom, as soon as Han Suiyue’s first case was being tried, both parties started an intense face-off again.

Court trials are indeed a very complex process, especially criminal trials. Criminal offenses have always been serious crimes, so one must be cautious. This also leads to each criminal defense enduring a prolonged bickering phase: the plaintiff presents evidence, the defendant challenges it, and then they propose various circumstances that may reduce the charges or mitigate the sentence, requesting a lighter penalty.

In the spectator’s gallery, Zhang Qingyuan and others blinked. Watching this familiar scene unfold, regret suddenly began to set in.

"Arguing again, and there are still fifty-five people to be reviewed. How long will this trial last?"

"I’m really foolish, truly. All I knew was that there was excitement today, and I forgot about the arguing part."

"Listening to their defense isn’t as stimulating as watching a quarrel or listening to insults. What do you think, can we leave halfway? I want to go back and play mahjong with Mrs. Liu..."

"It seems possible, but I’m not sure."

"..."

The elderly who came for the excitement started murmuring their complaints, keeping their voices low. However, the noisy whispers still drew a warning from the bailiffs.

With no alternative, Zhang Qingyuan, Li Weiguo, Song Tiancheng, and the other elderly people could only sit expressionlessly in their seats, becoming emotionless spectators. Listening and listening, they fell asleep again.

Meanwhile, in the plaintiff’s seat, Qin Mu had delegated all the defense responsibilities to Wang Dachui, occasionally adding a sentence or two himself. At the same time, he was also secretly observing Zhang Wei’s side, trying to see if his luck could actually make a difference.

Focusing solely on the first instance of the defamation case, Zhang Wei had raised several arguments for mitigation, attempting to persuade the judge and the collegial panel. These included arguments such as their clients’ goodwill being exploited and it being a first-time offense, among others. It was very professional.

「Two hours later.」

BANG—

The gavel struck. Zhou Quanmin glanced at the time and at the other fifty-five defendants eagerly awaiting their trial. He spoke up, "Regarding the trial of the defendant Han Suiyue, do both parties have anything else to add?

"If so, submit the materials to the collegial panel.

"Now, we will begin the final statements. Please, plaintiff and defendant, make your statements in turn."

This defamation case was being tried with all defendants consolidated, but sentencing needed to be determined for each individually. Everyone had their own right to make independent defense statements.

Qin Mu then stood up, stating that he would not accept mediation for this privately prosecuted offense and was firm in his refusal to forgive.

While Han Suiyue swallowed nervously and, following the statement prepared by Zhang Wei, said honestly, "I have caused great harm to the plaintiff by posting inappropriate comments online, for which I am sincerely sorry and uneasy.

"Here, I sincerely apologize to the plaintiff."

Having finished, he bowed deeply towards Qin Mu, his attitude quite sincere. Facing a potential maximum sentence of three years, he could no longer afford any frivolity, a stark contrast to his online persona.

"I have deeply realized my mistakes and will definitely reform myself in the future. I resolve never to offend again, and I hope that the judge and the collegial panel can give me a chance to start anew."

Immediately after, he bowed again towards Zhou Quanmin and the other judges, appearing very obedient.

Zhou Quanmin glanced around the courtroom. Seeing that no one had any objections, he nodded and continued, "Now, we will begin the trial for the next defendant."

As for the sentencing, it would naturally only be issued after everyone’s trials had concluded.

He then picked up another defendant’s file next to him and continued, "The plaintiff accuses the defendant Yang Lina, whose nickname on the platform is ’Falling in love with someone who won’t come home,’ of posting the following content: ’Customers who leave bad reviews are too cold-hearted; they don’t deserve to have a mother.’

"This post received 9,567 likes.

"Does the defense have any objections to this evidence?"

In the defendant’s area, a middle-aged woman with a pale face and looking very nervous stood up.