Chapter 106: Chapter 106 Liang Shuqi’s Final Statement
Among the myriad crimes in criminal law, there is no specific crime of instigation. Instead, there’s the concept of an instigator. Anyone who instigates another to commit a crime is sentenced for that same crime, with harsher penalties if the instigated person is a minor. Therefore, designating Liu Qiang, Lin Lan, and the others as either primary or secondary offenders was especially crucial!
「The following day.」
Qin Mu and Wang Dachui once again requested leave from their supervisor at the retirement home. The reason for leave was naturally another lawsuit. Their supervisor, upon learning the specifics, promptly granted the request without any hesitation. This was mainly because the things Qin Mu had been doing lately were simply too outrageous. In just two months, he’d been responsible for five or six groups of people being sent to prison. These included cases of fraud related to civil donations and a series of criminal offenses stemming from intermediary real estate transactions. So, upon hearing Qin Mu’s leave request, the supervisor didn’t even hesitate. With a wave of his hand, he immediately approved the leave slip.
Before ten o’clock that morning, Qin Mu and Wang Dachui arrived on time at the Second Criminal Court. This time, Old Zhang and the others, claiming extreme boredom, had stayed at the retirement home. They didn’t come to join the spectacle.
BANG—
Judge Zhou Quanmin struck the gavel, announcing the trial’s resumption. "The hearing will continue from yesterday, focusing primarily on identifying the primary and secondary offenders and determining negligence versus intent."
Zhou Quanmin looked at Zhang Wei, Bo Xingxian, and the prosecutor. Among the three parties, the prosecutor at the plaintiff’s bench immediately stood and presented his viewpoint. He continued from the previous day’s arguments, which centered on the presumption of negligent versus intentional acts. Bo Xingxian also held his ground, insisting his client was a secondary offender, not a primary one.
However, after a night of reassessment and adjustment, Zhang Wei’s defense strategy had become increasingly sharp, clearly giving him the upper hand.
"Your Honor, my client did spit in a fit of anger in this case, which was admittedly wrong. However, his actions were entirely the result of being instigated by others. Without such instigation, this criminal act would not have occurred."
"A Supreme Court case from last year dealt with a similar issue of determining primary and secondary offenders in instigation crimes, much like this one."
"The perpetrator initially had no criminal intent; it only developed after being instigated and lured by others."
"Ultimately, the perpetrator was deemed a secondary offender, and the instigator the primary offender."
"I ask the judge and the tribunal to consider this precedent carefully, upholding judicial fairness and justice."
He stood and elaborated on the case he had found overnight, submitting the previous year’s judgment document as evidence. After Zhou Quanmin and the other judges reviewed it, they nodded. Both the prosecutor and Bo Xingxian frowned, their expressions turning grim. They hadn’t expected Zhang Wei to produce such a recent and relevant Supreme Court case! This meant the verdict would likely lean towards the Supreme Court’s decision. After all, the Jin City Court was merely a local court; it couldn’t issue a ruling in a similar case that contradicted a Supreme Court judgment.
From the defendant’s dock, Liang Shuqi’s expression brightened when he saw the reactions of the judge and the tribunal members. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.
Even though I don’t understand much, this lawyer my ex-girlfriend hired seems incredibly reliable! He actually found a way to reduce my sentence! With this, I’ll most likely get my sentence reduced to three years! If I behave well in prison... maybe I won’t even need the full three years! Xiao Fang told me that if I can get out within two years... we might still have a chance to get back together!
However, Liu Qiang, Lin Lan, and the other eight defendants in the dock wore extremely grim expressions, especially after seeing Liang Shuqi’s face. They felt as awful as if they’d eaten shit. They had acted out of what they thought was goodwill, only to inexplicably commit a crime and suddenly find themselves labeled the primary offenders.
Meanwhile, at the plaintiff’s table, Wang Dachui lowered his voice and sighed softly. "Looks like there won’t be any major surprises. Once the primary and secondary offenders are determined, the trial’s progress will be straightforward."
Qin Mu nodded. Zhang Wei’s performance had indeed been impressive. He had successfully shifted the focus of the conflict and used the most effective method to reduce Liang Shuqi’s sentence. But for those eight instigators, things looked bleak. They would likely be deemed the primary offenders. Liu Qiang, who had first proposed the "suggestion" of spitting, would bear most of the criminal responsibility for the offense.
In court, Zhou Quanmin scanned everyone below and announced gravely, "Now, for the final statements in this session regarding the poisoning and instigation cases. The plaintiff will begin."
Afterward, the corners of his mouth twitched as he focused his gaze on Qin Mu. This horrendous criminal case involving sixty-nine people had all stemmed from Qin Mu’s delayed food delivery order. Qin Mu could be called the hidden hand that brought about this major case.
At the plaintiff’s table, Qin Mu took a deep breath and stood. He stated his demands: "On the 21st of this month, my food delivery order was severely delayed, and I was subjected to malicious revenge poisoning. Regarding this case, I will not issue any criminal letter of forgiveness to Liang Shuqi or the eight individuals who instigated him."
"The actions of Liang Shuqi and the eight instigators were extremely malicious. They’ve made me afraid to order takeout recently, for fear of further online harassment."
"I request that the court uphold justice and deliver a fair judgment, providing an explanation to the victim—myself."
As Zhou Quanmin listened, dark lines involuntarily appeared on his face. Everything Qin Mu said sounded reasonable and utterly sincere. If Zhou Quanmin hadn’t seen Qin Mu in court five or six times already, he might have almost believed him.
Zhou Quanmin cleared his throat and looked towards the prosecutor on the other side of the plaintiff’s table. "Next, the public prosecutor will make their final statement."
The prosecutor immediately stood. He presented the prosecution’s request: "The Procuratorate has reviewed the investigative materials, evidence, and related testimonies from the Jin City Police Station. We can confirm that the suspect, Liang Shuqi, committed the crime of poisoning. We recommend a sentence of five years imprisonment and that he be ordered to pay partial compensation to the plaintiff."
In contrast, this statement was succinct and clear.
Zhou Quanmin nodded and turned his gaze to the defendant’s dock. "Defendant Number 1, please make your final statement."
In the dock, Liang Shuqi swallowed. He felt somewhat anxious with all eyes on him, but he still recited the statement Zhang Wei had prepared: "I... Liang Shuqi... plead guilty."
"Previously, I was ignorant of the law and was misled by the instigation and inducements of netizens online. I went astray and committed acts that harmed society and others. I now realize my mistake."
"In the future, I will definitely turn over a new leaf and strive to be a better person."
"I earnestly request the judges to consider a lenient sentence and give me a chance."
Saying this, he bowed deeply to Zhou Quanmin and the other judges. This had all been advised by Zhang Wei. Such actions were intended to help reduce his sentence. A display of sincere repentance and respect for the judges could influence the trial’s outcome.
In fact, Zhang Wei had also instructed him to bow and apologize to Qin Mu during his statement.