Inside the temporary strategy room of the special task force at the Golden Mike Hotel, there was a scene of jubilation.
Although at the strong request of Richard's lawyer, Judge Demps finally announced a five-day postponement of the trial to give the defense time to investigate new evidence from the prosecution.
New evidence and closing arguments will be heard after 5 days. If the defense fails to put forward any new defense arguments by then, the case will go straight to the closing argument.
But the prosecutors and police officers of the special investigation team couldn't help but feel excited, as the situation on their side was very good.
Given Commissioner Lu’s performance in court and his extraordinary control over the entire case, they did not believe that he would lose the case five days later.
…
Outside, the cheers continued.
In the study, Lu Ming smoked silently. Lawyers like Richard are always the best in any era.
When dealing with such a person, you cannot be careless as long as the verdict has not been announced.
I gave him a lack of information, so the mesh defense structure prepared by the giant was completely ineffective.
However, for me, how could there be any omissions
There was a gentle knock on the study door. Jordan pushed it open and then turned around to close the door. The lively discussions that were still going on outside were shut out.
Looking at Jordan's excited face, Lu Ming smiled and put out his cigarette.
"Commissioner, you had already thought that the other party might be mentally ill? Moreover, you realized the coping strategy at that time, so you controlled that little jerk Sirov and kept him under special care? It was because little Renault could carefully organize and plan the assassination, so he couldn't be a mental patient? At least, when he is sober, he will be just as cruel and ruthless?"
Jordan was so full of admiration that even he, who was usually a gentleman in his speech, was so excited that he became a little outspoken and called Sirov a little jerk.
Lu Ming smiled.
"The first-degree crime of endangering public safety bypasses the jurors' legal obligations in convicting Little Reno. They don't need to consider whether Little Reno was mentally ill in the serial murder case or whether the evidence chain in the case of planning to attack you and Miss Nicole is impeccable. Instead, they need to determine whether Little Reno should be convicted of this crime based on the overall situation."
Lu Ming smiled and said, "Actually, I am mainly considering the sentencing issue."
Jordan was stunned for a moment, then he understood that according to all precedents, first-degree crime of endangering public safety would be punishable by death.
Under imperial law, judges have free discretion in sentencing.
In Donghai, although prosecutors have a great deal of power to recommend sentencing, ultimately it still depends on the judge's decision.
Even if Renault Jr. is found guilty of other charges, as long as Richard does not suffer a complete defeat in his defense.
Judge Demps had reason not to sentence Reno Jr. to death, but to life imprisonment, or to sentence him to several hundred years. At the very least, the person would not have to die and could wait for an opportunity for pardon.
As for first-degree crimes endangering public safety, all precedents carry the death penalty, but the most recent one was over a hundred years ago, which is a long time ago.
But no matter what, if the jury finds Renault Jr. guilty of first-degree endangering public safety, and if Demps does not sentence Renault Jr. to death, the prosecution will have sufficient reasons to appeal the verdict and even investigate Demps and the Renault family to see if there was any insider trading. If evidence is found, they will ask Parliament to remove him from his judgeship. Of course, at that time, an independent prosecutor will need to be sent to investigate, rather than this department being responsible.
Considering the consequences, Demps should not dare to risk the world's condemnation and put himself in an embarrassing or even dangerous situation.
Looking at Lu Ming, Jordan's face was full of admiration.
Lu Ming smiled. Actually, he had also thought of a third level, appeal. However, he didn’t need to tell Jordan about it.
This charge will make Renault Jr.'s appeal hopeless.
If found guilty, the other party will inevitably appeal to the Court of Appeal of the Tunghai High Court.
However, imperial law and the Supreme Federal Court do not recognize that appeal is a power granted by the Constitution. Whether the defendant has the right to appeal is at the discretion of the regions, states, and provinces. If it is stipulated as a constitutional right, it may lead to frivolous lawsuits and consume the judicial resources of the regions, states, and provinces.
This is similar to a certain Western superpower in my previous life.
Donghai local laws allow appeals, but only to the Donghai High Court, which is the final decision-making body.
The Court of Appeal is conducted by professional judges and generally conducts written trials. It no longer summons witnesses, examines evidence, or engages in debate.
The case is presided over by an appellate judge and deliberated by all judges.
Moreover, during the appeal stage, one cannot object to the jury's verdict on factual issues.
This is very similar to the ocean country in my previous life.
That is, the Court of Appeal can only appeal against legal errors made by judges, including errors in the application of substantive and procedural law.
This is a legal review, which is to review the legal procedures of the legal trial of the case, rather than to determine the facts of the crime.
For example, during the trial stage, evidence that should not be admitted was mistakenly accepted, which had an adverse impact on the defendant's trial process.
For example, the judge violated certain trial rules and had a significant impact on the trial results.
These are the parts that the Court of Appeal reviews.
If the jury in this case finds the defendant guilty of first-degree endangering public safety, the Court of Appeal cannot object to the jury's verdict.
The main thing is to examine whether there were any violations of legal procedures during the trial, which had a huge impact on the defendant.
Therefore, if Renault Jr. is found guilty, his chances of a successful appeal are slim.
After pondering, Lu Ming said, "Now, the defense probably doesn't want to end this lawsuit quickly, but will try to drag it out as long as possible to see if there is any turning point."
Jordan nodded and his expression became serious.
Richard, the legal giant, is not so easy to deal with.
"Next, they will try their best to attack the character of our two witnesses, Sirov and Amanda, to cast doubt on the credibility of their testimonies and make the jurors no longer trust them."
Jordan nodded silently.
"In this case, the media should speak up for us. Although as witnesses they cannot be interviewed by the media, the media can interview people who know them and bring their images to life. They have many shortcomings, but they are also flesh and blood. Many people's lives may be a tragedy when they look back at the end of their lives. It's just that these two are particularly tragic. Life is always full of helplessness!"
Lu Ming sighed and looked at Jordan: "They also have their own shining points. You should try to dig them out."
Jordan nodded slightly. It was really difficult to find the good points of a small-time punk and the mistress of a serial killer.
However, if Commissioner Lu still has to worry about such a matter, I would feel really guilty sitting in the position of the second chief prosecutor.
Suddenly, there was a rapid knock on the door, and Cantona walked in quickly, "Commissioner, the vehicle transporting Amanda was attacked by more than 20 armed thugs, but they have been defeated, and one of our team members was seriously injured."
Lu Ming frowned. What did this mean? Was it done by Little Renault's enemies? Was he trying to make the jury have a worse impression of him
Because even if the witness is killed now, in fact, he has already testified in court, and it will not affect the jury's recognition of the legality of the testimony. On the contrary, Amanda's testimony is obviously fatal to Little Renault. If the witness is killed after the trial, the jury will only be more determined to convict Little Renault.
They also sent out more than twenty armed thugs, looking very serious.
"We captured two people alive. They were summoned by the leader on short notice. The leader told them that it was a generous commission given by old Sir Reno."
"Has the leader been caught?" Lu Ming asked.
Cantona shook his head, then frowned and said, "But their firepower is not fake, it's very strange."
Obviously, he immediately thought that the enemies of the Renault family were adding fuel to the fire.
Jordan gritted his teeth and said, "Maybe this fake Renault is the real old Renault. Whether the witness is killed or not, they will have a backup plan. I think old Renault has gone crazy for his little son!"
Lu Ming nodded slightly, this was also a possibility.