In Judge Dempsey's office, Lu Ming, Reynolds' defense lawyer Richard, and Booker's defense lawyer Hancock were all sitting in front of the judge's desk.
As the opening statement of the case was about to begin, Demps called the prosecution and defense parties to hear their strategies.
"Well, Mr. Richard, are you going to plead not guilty?" Judge Demps didn't look surprised.
He was an old man with a hooked nose, who looked very arrogant at first sight, but he maintained considerable respect for Richard.
Richard nodded slightly and looked at Lu Ming: "Of course, Lawyer Lu, we can also make a deal that is in the interests of both parties."
Judge Demps nodded: "Then I wish you good luck."
If the prosecution and defense reach a plea deal, it will save the lengthy court process. For him, it will naturally be a good thing to reduce his workload, especially this case, which has attracted much attention.
On the other side, Hancock spread his hands, "I also hope to reach a deal with the prosecution, but the conditions given by the prosecution are too harsh. My client must go to the gallows."
Demps looked at Lu Ming, "Do you know that if Bookken pleads guilty, the next dozen cases will be much easier? They will all be convicted soon!"
Lu Ming nodded: "I know, but as the first offender in these cruel cases, I don't think he is eligible for any mercy. Moreover, our evidence is sufficient. Regardless of whether Booker pleads guilty or not, I am confident that he will be convicted. "
Hancock snorted: "Is life imprisonment a form of forgiveness? I don't think so! For free people, this is the worst punishment. The death penalty should be abolished. Our laws prohibit killing, but there is the death penalty. , The law is inconsistent with the law!”
Dempsey listened, although he said nothing, there was approval in his eyes.
Lu Ming smiled: "That's a pity. Your client was born in the East China Sea, where the death penalty is imposed. Next time, I hope he was born in Kenya, killed Mr. Hancock's parents, wife and children, and then Mr. Hancock would forgive him. Him." He didn't bother to reason with the Abolitionists.
In the entire empire, only one state, Kenya, has abolished the death penalty. It is also one of the core autonomous states of Westerners.
"I object!" Hancock immediately stared.
Dempsey also frowned slightly: "Lawyer Lu Qianxing, I hope you will pay attention to the propriety of your speech."
Lu Ming spread his hands and stood up: "I have nothing more to say, goodbye!" He turned around and opened the door and left.
Dempsey's face was gloomy.
Richard stood up with a smile, and Hancock muttered something.
But without the prosecution present, the two defense lawyers have no reason to stay in the judge's office, making it easy for others to take advantage of them.
…
"Lawyer Richard, I have always admired you."
At the corner of the corridor, Lu Ming was waiting for Richard, smiling and extending his hand.
Richard was slightly surprised and reached out to shake Lu Ming's hand.
"Don't you want to make a plea bargain with me?" Lu Ming asked with a smile.
"No, no, it's not a plea deal." Richard smiled, "I hope Lawyer Lu will change the charges. Otherwise, Lawyer Lu, you will get nothing."
"How do you say that?" Lu Ming smiled.
"My client has serious mental problems and is suffering from torture. He cannot be the initiator of these terrorist incidents. He also does not have the ability. If Lawyer Lu must define my client as the first defendant, then when he Being acquitted will seriously affect the reputation of the prosecution in this case, and it will probably be difficult to convict the real thugs next! Lawyer Lu, you don’t want to see such a result, right?”
With that said, Richard waved, and the assistant next to him ran over, took a document from his briefcase and handed it to Lu Ming.
"Lawyer Lu, this is the witness list I just updated, and I'm about to hand it over to you!"
Lu Ming took over. The list of witnesses did not change much, but a psychiatry expert named Walker was added. Judging from the institute he worked for and his series of titles, he should be an authoritative figure in psychiatry.
"Mental illness!" Lu Ming frowned. Although his forehead quickly stretched, this small detail was still noticed by Richard.
"Lawyer Lu, I wish you good luck, but I still look forward to seeing you correct your mistakes!" Old Richard smiled slightly, raised his hat, and turned to leave.
…
Just as he walked down the steps of the courthouse, Cantona had already rushed out of the car excitedly and ran up two steps: "Commissioner, we have found them. The glass bottles containing brains that Booker mentioned have been found and are now being sent to the medical examiner's office... …”
Lu Ming nodded: "There must be little Renault's fingerprints on it."
"Huh? If so, that would be great!" Cantona said happily.
"Perhaps, it turns out that little Renault is a psychopath!" Lu Ming shook his head and walked towards his vehicle.
"Mental illness?" Cantona was stunned.
…
The Golden Mack Hotel is a five-star hotel in the West End, very close to the First Circuit Court. Now, the task force has moved here.
Director McCann approved this funding, which actually surprised the members of the task force.
Although this case has been the most high-profile case of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office in recent years, necessary logistical support is required, but a five-star hotel has rented out the most luxurious suite with a conference room as a temporary strategy room? It's too exaggerated.
Lu Ming was not surprised. In the opinion of Chief McCann, this might be his last act of willfulness.
Today, the cheers in the strategy room were quickly interrupted by new news coming from the court.
It turned out that after various investigations, the action team finally found a breakthrough. According to a servant's confession, they found a secret apartment where little Renault had hidden the victim's brain. Moreover, the glass bottle was covered with little Renault's fingerprints.
However, Commissioner Lu brought back lawyer Richard's defense strategy. Little Reno is a person suffering from severe mental illness.
This is not surprising. For many murderers, the first strategy that defense lawyers think of is to use mental reasons to defend themselves.
But the question is, racial vendetta, how can you possibly convince the jury with this excuse?
But when everyone calmed down, they reorganized the confession and all the evidence involving little Renault.
But I was surprised to find that it seems that it really makes sense to say that little Renault has mental illness.
Every killing of the victim was planned by Booker. Although Reno Jr. also participated in several killings, his confession was that he could not remember what happened at that time. This can be regarded as that he was in a certain place at the time of the killing. Stimulated by this environment, he suffered mental abnormalities.
He also has a perverted habit of collecting brain matter and sleeping with it.
In particular, as a psychopath, he could not be the main culprit in planning these cases.
The charges charged by the prosecution will appear ridiculous.
There was no evidence to prove that he was planning these vendettas. Booker's confession had already admitted that he was the mastermind of all the cases.
In Booker's account, Booker himself deposits cash every time. According to him, it is the inheritance left by his father.
His father was indeed once a very wealthy businessman, dealing in small handicrafts. However, after some Central Continent merchants joined the competition in this market, his father went bankrupt and committed suicide. It would be very difficult to hide some cash and leave it to his son. Logical.
A small amount of cash was indeed found in the bank safe that Booker said was the inheritance left to him by his father who had almost spent it.
All in all, it is difficult to connect little Renault with words such as "planner" and "first offender".
However, Commissioner Lu has always insisted on prosecuting Little Renault as the first offender.
Although Jordan supports Commissioner Lu’s view and believes that Renault Jr. must be one of the organizers, he also believes that based on the existing evidence, it is difficult to convict Renaud Jr. of the charges.
And now, it looks like it's in big trouble.
No one knew that after Lu Ming returned to his room and made a few phone calls, his expression became more and more calm.
