Chapter 65: Chapter 65 Lawyer Zhang Wei: We Are Actively Pleading Guilty
If he wanted to countersue, he would at least need to gather evidence, draft a complaint, and have the court accept it before proceeding. Currently, the trial concerning his contract dispute was underway.
Lin Zhen engaging in this verbal sparring... It seems like a fierce flurry of activity, but in reality, it’s utterly useless.
However... it’s currently the defendant’s statement phase, and I can’t interrupt. Zhang Wei could only keep shooting Lin Zhen meaningful glances, signaling him to stop his "brilliant" performance. Unfortunately, Lin Zhen, lost in his own theatrics, completely missed his cues.
"Judge, I believe my actions, at most, involved deceiving both buyers and sellers, thereby contravening market principles..."
In front of the judge and jury members, Lin Zhen continued his defense. Driven by an extremely strong survival instinct, he even began to argue for his own "innocence."
Standing beside him, Zhang Wei’s face darkened with frustration as he inwardly cursed his incompetent teammate countless times.
The last time I encountered Qin Mu, my clients, Yang Minghui and the others, simply didn’t show up, directly forfeiting their right to a defense.
But this time... Lin Zhen came, but his grandstanding is worse than if he hadn’t come at all!
BANG—
Five minutes later, the judge struck the gavel, interrupting Lin Zhen’s rambling and useless defense. He then made a summarizing statement: "Following the statements from both plaintiff and defendant, as the defendant denies charges such as fraud, the plaintiff and the procuratorate are now requested to provide evidence."
Subsequently, the evidence presentation and cross-examination phase began. The plaintiff and their defense lawyer submitted evidence. Since the case involved the public interest, the procuratorate had also gathered evidence. Therefore, this phase would be conducted jointly by the plaintiff and the procuratorate. After the evidence presentation, it was the defendant’s turn to challenge the evidence, pointing out any errors or inconsistencies. The entire process was open and transparent, deliberated upon by the judicial panel to minimize the occurrence of unjust, false, or erroneous verdicts.
Soon, Wang Dachui stepped forward, carrying a stack of documents. These primarily consisted of signed sales contracts, chat records, telephone recordings Qin Mu had specifically preserved, and so on. Additionally, there was the predatory loan contract involving Uncle Yang and his wife: a loan of three hundred thousand yuan, to be repaid over ten years.
Staff from the procuratorate also stepped forward, submitting the evidence they had collected, which included backend server records, fraudulent property listings, irregular transaction orders, and financial information, to the judge.
The judge and jury members gathered to carefully review the evidence once more, then turned their attention back to Lin Zhen and his counsel.
"Defendant, how do you respond to this evidence?"
Faced with this question, Lin Zhen was instantly dumbfounded. His earlier arrogance vanished. He could only turn his head and look towards Lawyer Zhang Wei, his eyes pleading for help.
Lawyer Zhang Wei’s mouth twitched. He shot Lin Zhen an irritated glare before stepping forward.
Under Lin Zhen’s hopeful gaze, he spoke, "Honorable Judgment Chief, our side offers no defense. We admit to the aforementioned crimes, plead guilty, and express remorse."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Zhen’s eyes widened in shock; he was utterly flabbergasted.
"Zhang... Lawyer Zhang..." Lin Zhen stepped forward, about to speak, but Lawyer Zhang Wei interrupted him, "Furthermore, regarding this case, my client is guilty of an attempted offense, which did not result in significant losses."
"Considering the defendant’s overall conduct, he is merely an employee of Anjia Real Estate Agency and acted as an accessory. The criminal liabilities, such as the fraudulent listings on the official website and the loans, all originated from the Anjia Real Estate Agency itself..."
In the courtroom, Lawyer Zhang Wei first proactively pleaded guilty on Lin Zhen’s behalf, then did his utmost to mitigate Lin Zhen’s sentence, shifting all possible blame onto the Anjia Real Estate Agency.
Meanwhile, in the gallery, Wu Zhenglin listened to Lawyer Zhang Wei’s defense, his expression instantly turning extremely grim. He trembled with anger.
I hadn’t expected... that at this crucial moment, Zhang Wei would actually pull such a stunt! This way, Lin Zhen’s culpability might be reduced, but... I’ll be finished!
"Plaintiff, do you have any questions regarding the defense attorney’s statement?"
Back in the courtroom, after listening to Lawyer Zhang Wei’s defense, the judge turned his attention back to Qin Mu and his party. Wang Dachui immediately stood up and began to sharply counter each point.
"Judgment Chief, you witnessed it yourself. The defendant exhibited extreme arrogance and defiance before the trial even began, showing no sincere attitude towards pleading guilty."
"Furthermore, although the defendant is charged only with an attempted crime, our clients, Uncle Yang and his wife, were burdened with a three-hundred-thousand-yuan loan..."
From the plaintiff’s bench, Qin Mu watched Wang Dachui’s spirited performance, feeling slightly amazed.
Actually, after thoroughly studying the relevant legal statutes, I had immediately seen through Lawyer Zhang Wei’s defense strategy: first, actively plead guilty, then argue for a reduced sentence from the angles of being an accessory and an attempted offense.
Unfortunately, Lin Zhen’s behavior before and during the trial had already made a sincere guilty plea impossible. All the adjudicators could see that Lin Zhen showed no remorse whatsoever.
And Wang Dachui’s professionalism was undeniable. Focusing on these points, Wang Dachui relentlessly pursued and fiercely attacked them. In this phase of the proceedings, the defense attorney was at a distinct disadvantage, completely unable to parry the arguments.
A full hour later, the arguments from both defense and prosecution attorneys finally concluded. The judge announced a recess and led the adjudicators into the deliberation room.
「Half an hour later.」
Court resumed, and both sides made their final statements. Wang Dachui argued that Lin Zhen, as an agent, had disregarded the law and exploited consumers, and thus should be severely punished. Conversely, Lawyer Zhang Wei contended that Lin Zhen had actively pleaded guilty, was merely an accessory and had only attempted the crime, and therefore should receive a lenient punishment.
BANG—
After the statements concluded, the judge struck the gavel. Everyone rose as the verdict was announced: "Upon unanimous decision by the trial panel of the First Tribunal of the Jin City Court, the defendant, Lin Zhen, is found guilty of fraud, organizing and participating in illegal lending, false advertising, illegal trading, and defamation."
"Given his affiliation with Anjia Real Estate Agency, and that the illegal services were provided under the company’s purview, he is convicted of multiple offenses. Taking mitigating circumstances into account, he is sentenced to a term of three years’ imprisonment."
"Furthermore, he is fined one hundred thousand yuan and ordered to pay compensation of eight hundred thousand yuan to the plaintiff, Qin Mu, and one million two hundred thousand yuan to the plaintiffs, Mr. and Mrs. Yang Siyan."
"The above judgment is effective from this day forth and shall be executed immediately!"
The judge’s solemn voice echoed throughout the courtroom. Varied expressions painted the faces of those in the plaintiff’s section, the defendant’s section, and the gallery.
Qin Mu had somewhat anticipated this outcome, so he wasn’t overly surprised.
Uncle Yang and his wife, however, were ecstatic. They had never imagined the verdict would actually be delivered!
The agent who cheated us was sentenced to three years! And we’re getting one million two hundred thousand yuan in compensation! After paying back the three-hundred-thousand-yuan loan, we’ll still have nine hundred thousand left! This means... we’ve basically earned enough for a new house!
Meanwhile, Lin Zhen slumped into the defendant’s chair, completely drained of strength, his face deathly pale. He couldn’t help but turn his head to glare angrily at Lawyer Zhang Wei.
"Didn’t you say you specialized in arguing for reduced sentences? Why do I still have to pay two million yuan and serve three years?"
I absolutely cannot accept this outcome!