In the Golden Mike Hotel, the temporary strategy room of the task force was filled with joy.
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 the prosecution's new evidence.
New evidence and closing arguments will be heard in 5 days. If the defense cannot come up with any new defense arguments by then, closing arguments will be made directly.
However, the prosecutors and police officers on the task force could not help but be excited, as their situation was excellent.
With Commissioner Lu's performance in court and his extraordinary control over the entire case, they didn't even think that Commissioner Lu would lose the case in five days.
…
Outside, the cheers continued.
In the study, Lu Ming smoked silently. Lawyers like Richard were among the best in any era.
When fighting against such a person, as long as the verdict has not been announced for a day, one cannot take it lightly.
I hit him with an information gap, and the network defense structure I asked the giant to prepare failed to work at all.
However, for myself, where else could there be any omissions?
There was a gentle knock on the study door. Jordan opened the door and came in, then turned and closed the door. The continued cheerful discussion outside was shut out.
Seeing the excitement on Jordan's face, Lu Ming smiled and put out the cigarette butt.
"Commissioner, you have already thought about the fact that the other party will attack mental illness? Moreover, you were aware of the response strategy at that time, so you controlled the little bastard Sirov early and took special care of him? It is because little Renault can be careful
He organized and planned the assassination, so he couldn't be a mental patient? At least, he would be cruel and ruthless when he was awake?"
Jordan was filled with admiration, so much so that he, who had always been more gentlemanly in speech, was so excited that he spoke unabashedly and called Sirov a little jerk.
Lu Ming smiled.
"The crime of endangering public safety in the first degree bypasses the jurors' legal obligations to convict little Leno, regardless of whether he suffered a mental illness in the serial murder case or planned the attack on you and Miss Nicole.
They don’t need to consider whether the chain of evidence is impeccable, but rather, decide whether Reynolds should be sentenced for this crime as a whole."
Lu Ming smiled and said, "Actually, my main concern is the sentencing issue."
Jordan was stunned for a moment, and then he understood that the crime of endangering public safety in the first degree, according to all legal precedents, would be punishable by death.
Under imperial law, judges have discretion in sentencing.
As far as Donghai is concerned, although the prosecutor has a lot of power to recommend sentencing, in the end, it still depends on the judge's ruling.
Even if Reynolds is convicted of other crimes, as long as Richard is not completely defeated in his defense.
Judge Demps had reason not to sentence Little Reynolds to death, but to sentence him to life in prison, or to sentence him to several hundred years. At the very least, he would not have to die and wait for an opportunity such as amnesty.
As for the crime of endangering public safety in the first degree, all the cases are death penalty. However, the most recent case is more than a hundred years old, which is a bit old.
But no matter what, if the jury finds Reno Jr. guilty of endangering public safety in the first degree and Demps does not sentence Reno Jr. to death, the prosecutor will have enough reason to appeal his verdict and even investigate Demps and Demps.
Is there any insider trading in the Renault family? If evidence is found, they will ask Parliament to remove them from the judgeship. Of course, at that time, an independent prosecutor will need to be dispatched to investigate, not this government office.
Considering the various consequences, Demps should not dare to risk the public disapproval and put himself in an embarrassing or even dangerous situation.
Looking at Lu Ming, Jordan was filled with admiration.
Lu Ming smiled. In fact, he also thought about the third level, appeal, but there was no need to tell Jordan about it.
This crime will put Renault's appeal in a desperate situation.
If convicted, the other party will inevitably appeal to the Appellate Division of the Donghai High Court.
However, imperial law and the Supreme Federal Court do not recognize appeals as a right granted by the Constitution. Whether the defendant has the right to appeal is left to the discretion of each region, state, and province. If it is stipulated as a constitutional right, it may lead to indiscriminate litigation and cost each region.
State and provincial judicial resources.
This is similar to a certain Western country in my previous life.
The local laws of Donghai allow appeals, but only to the Donghai High Court, which is the final decision-making body.
The Court of Appeal, conducted by professional judges, generally conducts written hearings and no longer calls witnesses, examines evidence, or conducts debates.
The case is presided over by an appellate judge and reviewed by all judges.
Moreover, at the appeal stage, the jury's verdict cannot be challenged by overturning the factual issues established by the jury.
This is very similar to the ocean-based country in my previous life.
That is to say, the Court of Appeal can only appeal against the judge's errors in the use of law, including errors in the application of substantive and procedural laws.
This is a legal trial, which is to review the legal procedures of the legal trial of the case, rather than to determine the criminal facts.
For example, during the trial stage, evidence that should not have been admitted was mistakenly accepted, which adversely affected the defendant's trial process.
For example, the judge violated certain court hearing rules and had a significant impact on the outcome of the trial, etc.
These are the parts reviewed by the Court of Appeal.
If the jury in this case finds him guilty of endangering public safety in the first degree, the appeals court cannot challenge the jury's verdict.
The main thing is to review whether there were any violations of legal procedures during the trial, which had a huge impact on the defendant.
Therefore, once Reno Jr. is convicted, the chance of successful appeal is slim.
After thinking about it, Lu Ming said: "Now, the defense probably doesn't want to end this lawsuit quickly, but will try to drag it out to see if there is any improvement."
Jordan nodded and his expression became serious.
Richard, a 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 question the credibility of their confessions and make the jurors no longer trust them."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Jordan nodded silently.
"In this way, it's time for the media to speak out for us. Although they cannot be interviewed by the media as witnesses, 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.
People, the lives of many people may be a tragedy when they look back before they die, but the two of them are particularly miserable. Life is always full of helplessness!"
Lu Ming sighed and looked at Jordan: "They also have their own shining points, you can find ways to explore them."
Jordan nodded slightly. It was really a difficult problem to find the advantages of a loser and the mistress of a serial murderer.
However, if Commissioner Lu still has to worry about this matter, it would be too shameful for him to sit in the position of the second prosecutor.
Suddenly, there was a rapid knock on the door, and Cantona walked in quickly, "Commissioner, the vehicle transporting Amanda was attacked. There were more than 20 armed thugs, but they have been defeated. One of our team members was seriously injured."
Lu Ming frowned, what does this mean? Did Renault Jr.'s enemies do it? Deliberately making the jury have a worse impression of him?
Because even if the witness is killed now, in fact, the testimony has been completed in court, it will not affect the jury's recognition of the legality of the evidence. On the contrary, it is obvious that Amanda's testimony is fatal to little Renault, and the trial is over.
If the witness is to be killed, the jury will only be more firm in convicting Little Leno.
They also sent out more than 20 armed thugs, making it look like there was something serious.
"Two people were captured alive. They were summoned temporarily by the leader. According to the leader, they were given generous commissions by old Sir Renault."
"Has the leader been caught?" Lu Ming asked.
Cantona shook his head and frowned: "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: "Perhaps, this fake Renault is the real old Renault. Whether the witnesses are killed or not, they will have backup plans. I think old Renault has gone crazy for his little son!"
