lcionline Chapter 176 I Recommend the Death Penalty
Chapter 176 I Recommend the Death Penalty
The prosecutor remained unyielding, stating, "Your Honor, the girl is severely traumatized and is currently receiving psychological counseling. She is unable to appear in court at this time."
Qi Tongwei stared at the prosecutor like a wolf eyeing its prey. "I'd like to ask the procuratorate whether they have thoroughly investigated and verified this case?"
The prosecutors exchanged bewildered glances and could only grit their teeth and reply, "Defendant, our procuratorate has certainly conducted a thorough investigation. Please refrain from making baseless accusations."
Qi Tongwei imitated Stephen Chow's voice and laughed, "It's utterly ridiculous. I bet your prosecutor's office didn't even investigate this case."
The presiding judge slammed his gavel down. "Defendant, you are not a lawyer. Watch your tone."
Qi Tongwei responded forcefully, "Your Honor, I have a lawyer's license, and I will now defend myself."
Attorney Zhou looked completely bewildered. "I'm unemployed now, do I still have to pay my legal fees?"
With both a prosecutor and a lawyer present, some people in the audience began to believe what Qi Tongwei was saying.
The presiding judge, with a stern expression, thought to himself, "This is a tough suspect. Defendant, are you sure you want to defend yourself?"
"Yes, Your Honor, I now question the prosecution's professionalism. Even if the victim doesn't appear in court, with so many people in the KTV, wasn't there a single witness?"
The prosecution asked the police for witnesses, but the police said that the current evidence was sufficient for a conviction, given that so many people were still in the hospital, which was solid evidence.
"Your Honor, based on the existing evidence, it is entirely possible to prove that the defendant intentionally caused injury."
The presiding judge was somewhat speechless. Couldn't the prosecution have prepared more solid evidence?
"Defendant, I think the prosecutor's words make a lot of sense. What would you like to say?"
Qi Tongwei chuckled, "Presiding Judge, have you forgotten your role? The prosecutor's evidence is full of loopholes. Are all the prosecutors idiots? Is this how you usually handle cases?"
The presiding judge slammed his gavel in anger. "Defendant, you used insulting language to attack the prosecutor. I consider this contempt of court. I'll say it again: please provide evidence to prove that you acted in good faith."
Qi Tongwei angrily said, "Your Honor, I personally witnessed a group of beasts pinning a waitress down on the table and forcing her to drink. Her upper body clothes were torn to shreds, and she was screaming for help, her breasts exposed. The beasts were laughing loudly, and there was a crowd of onlookers outside. I rushed in and beat those beasts up badly. That's the whole story. If this isn't an act of heroism, what is it?"
Upon hearing this, the entire courtroom fell silent instantly, because Qi Tongwei's statement made more sense than the claim that he was drunk and broke into the victim's private room to assault him.
Qin Xue silently applauded Qi Tongwei in her heart for his hatred of evil. "Husband, you're so great! Husband, you're so great!"
How could she have such a shameful thought? Qin Xue blushed instantly.
No, I can't do that. I need to maintain my aloof goddess persona.
Rationally, Zhong Xiaoai leaned towards Qi Tongwei's perspective, but seeing her cousin lying in the hospital in pain made her feel that even so, Qi Tongwei should be severely punished by law.
Does acting bravely and righteously justify killing someone?
If that's the case, Hou Liangping sympathizes with the female waitress who was assaulted, but he wouldn't choose the violent method Qi Tongwei used; calling the police would be the best option.
Zhong Zhengmei was furious. Even so, her nephew was still in the hospital, and Qi Tongwei had to go to prison.
There was a lot of discussion in the audience.
Some people say that even if it was an act of heroism, the attack was too ruthless, practically murder.
Some people are saying why I didn't call the police or ask the security guards at the KTV, because I clearly have violent tendencies.
Some people thought that if these hooligans had been around in 83, they would all have been shot, but they didn't dare to say it out loud.
Many people now realize that there's something fishy about this case, but it seems to be none of their business. If they dare to support Qi Tongwei, they'll be the ones suffering, and they might even implicate their families. Why bother?
"quiet"
The presiding judge slammed his gavel. "Defendant, evidence is paramount in court. What evidence do you have to prove you acted as a Good Samaritan?"
Qi Tongwei smiled contemptuously, "Your Honor, you'll have to ask those useless cowards at the police station how they can lie through their teeth like that."
The presiding judge slammed his gavel in anger, "Outrageous! Defendant, you are slandering the public security organs; this is a serious crime!"
Qi Tongwei simply smiled indifferently, "Then sentence me however you want."
The presiding judge felt utterly mocked. "Defendant," he said, "I'll ask you one last time, what evidence do you have to prove you acted as a Good Samaritan?"
Qi Tongwei retorted angrily, "With that little evidence from the prosecutor, you think you can prove I intentionally injured someone? Damn it, even a dog could be a prosecutor!"
The prosecutor was furious. "Your Honor, this is defamation! This is slander! The defendant refuses to admit his wrongdoing, which aggravates the crime. We've discussed it, and the previous sentence was too lenient; it's insufficient to make the defendant realize his mistake. The prosecution now recommends life imprisonment."
The audience gasped in surprise at the life sentence, while the injured man's family members gritted their teeth, though secretly they were overjoyed.
Hou Liangping noticed that Qin Xue's face showed no change whatsoever. This shouldn't be the case. Could it be that everyone is abandoning each other when disaster strikes?
Zhong Xiaoai clenched her fist, feeling extremely relieved, as if she had finally gotten rid of a lot of pent-up anger.
Zhong Zhengmei gave Qi Tongwei a disdainful look. "You arrogant brat. How dare an ant challenge an elephant? You're overestimating yourself."
Qi Tongwei, looking relaxed, said sarcastically, "Your Honor, I recommend the court sentence me to death. The sooner I die, the sooner I can be reincarnated."
The presiding judge was driven to the brink of collapse by Qi Tongwei's nonchalant attitude and even considered sentencing him to death, but the High Court could not approve it.
The presiding judge and the judges discussed the matter.
"All rise. The following verdict will now be pronounced on the defendant, Qi Tongwei."
Everyone else stood up, but Qi Tongwei sat motionless like an old man.
The presiding judge, suppressing his anger, said, "Defendant, please stand up."
Qi Tongwei scoffed, "Why would I stand up? A judge as unscrupulous as you probably has countless wrongful convictions under his purview."
The presiding judge could no longer contain his anger. "Bailiffs, lift him up!"
Two bailiffs walked over quickly, and Qi Tongwei immediately stood up again.
Qin Xue rubbed her forehead, her head aching. She really should have let Qi Tongwei go with her aunt to film a movie.
Zhong Xiaoai clenched her fists, her face indifferent. No matter how many tricks Qi Tongwei played, it was useless now; he was nothing but a clown.
Even if the trial is over, Qi Tongwei will definitely appeal. Hou Liangping still feels uneasy. He will only feel at ease when his senior is actually in prison.
Zhong Zhengmei took off her sunglasses, a bright smile on her face; now was her moment to strike.
The presiding judge composed himself and announced the verdict: "In the case of defendant Qi Tongwei's intentional assault, the evidence is conclusive, the methods were cruel, and the social impact was extremely negative. Given that the defendant shows no remorse, the court adopts the prosecution's recommendation to impose a severe sentence, and Qi Tongwei is hereby sentenced..."
Before the presiding judge could finish delivering his verdict, the courtroom door was suddenly pushed open, and a group of plainclothes police officers rushed in.
"Your Honor, we are from the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Criminal Investigation Team. We need to reinvestigate Qi Tongwei's case. Please understand."