American Justice - Chapter 4

“Additionally, I want to explain something.”

Brooklyn turned to the chubby police officer next to him.

“From the time I was illegally detained by two patrol officers until this morning, no one informed me of my Miranda rights, and no one helped me understand my rights.”

“I have been held in the NYPD’s 1st interrogation room and have not been allowed to contact anyone except for one police officer friend who visited me twice.”

“I believe this is illegal imprisonment.”

“And this police officer next to me, he has repeatedly used violence against me, including but not limited to pushing, insulting, using discriminatory language, and mocking me.”

“This completely violates due process law.” [Note 1]

“The 20-hour detention has caused me serious physical and mental trauma. I can authorize the release of a portion of my psychological counseling records for inquiry.”

The original owner was bullied and locked in a closet overnight as a child and suffers from severe claustrophobia, which is a fact.

After Brooklyn finished speaking, the fat cop beside him’s face changed dramatically, and he angrily pushed him.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

At that moment Brooklyn fell towards the other side. His body pushed the table and chairs, making a series of creaking noises. He himself fell weakly to the ground, his face pale, looking like he was trying to bear the pain.

From yesterday afternoon until now, he had only eaten one meal, and he was already starving.

The fat cop’s action was simply inexplicable. He raised his hands and struggled for a long time, but couldn’t say a word. He stared at Brooklyn, wishing he could tear him apart.

Judge Anna quickly directed the court officer to pull the fat cop away.

“You sly yellow monkey! Are you a little girl? You bastard!!”

The fat cop was being supported by two people and kept backing away. He struggled and viciously cursed Brooklyn.

Brooklyn remained silent, stood up with the assistance of the bailiff, pointed to a chair, and with Anna’s permission, sat down. [Note 2]

The fat cop’s voice could no longer be heard. He had already been dragged out of the courtroom. What awaited him was an internal affairs investigation.

In any federal agency, being targeted by internal affairs is a fate worse than death.

As a person with an apparent criminal record, it was easy to investigate the fat guy. What happened to Brooklyn was just the beginning. Brooklyn believed that if the NYPD Internal Affairs Department were relatively idle recently, the fat guy would have already been sent to prison for dereliction of duty and racial discrimination by the time his own case ended. In the federal system, cops sent to prison often don’t end well.

Brooklyn sat there with his head down, not saying a word, and thought about the possibility of the fat guy not being punished. He slightly curved his mouth. He loved dealing with such physically developed and mentally simple people.

The prosecutor on the other side had an unpleasant expression and was quickly recording something in his notebook.

If what Brooklyn said was true, and if the police really didn’t read him his Miranda rights, the court may dismiss all charges against him! Because everything that happened after his arrest may be illegal!

Even if the court doesn’t dismiss the charges, this incident will cause significant setbacks in the once-solid case during subsequent trials.

This is a serious legal loophole!

The poor fat cop didn’t realize what he was about to face.

“Your Honor.”

After taking a break to alleviate the dizziness caused by low blood sugar, Brooklyn spoke again.

“Although they did not read me my Miranda rights, this case relates to my personal reputation and career. I can let this go.”

“While Selena’s death is regrettable, I do not want to be burdened with unfounded murder charges. I am not Miranda. And I do not want to be another Brooklyn admonishment.” [Note 3]

After speaking, Brooklyn turned his head to the prosecution table and saw the prosecutor looking his way. He nodded politely.

He did not care about the Miranda warning, because he never underwent an interrogation.

Even if he pursued the issue, the most he could do was to hold Fatboy accountable, or even the entire NYPD. It would not have much impact on his case.

Instead, he chose to win the favor of the prosecutor and gain a reputation for fairness.

This case was filed at two o’clock yesterday afternoon and the case materials were only transferred to the district attorney’s office last night.

Brooklyn did not believe that the prosecutor could have read through all the materials in one night!

He was gambling that the prosecutor did not know that his interrogation records were missing from the case files.

By trading a less important Miranda warning for the prosecutor’s favor, he hoped to receive favorable treatment in the subsequent bail and trial proceedings.

Even if he eventually lost, the prosecutor had the power to make a recommendation to the judge to reduce the sentence.

Not to mention plea bargaining and deals, which all depended on the prosecutor’s mood…

When Brooklyn nodded, the prosecutor hesitated slightly before stiffly nodding in response.

“We have no objections,” the prosecutor said sternly.

Judge Anna signaled the court reporter to record it and then asked, “Does the defendant request bail?”

“Yes.”

“Your Honor, I am a judge myself, and my career is here. Even if I am now suspected of being involved in Selena’s death, the Senate has not revoked my position.”

“Moreover, as I just said, I didn’t kill her. In order to prove my innocence, I’m even willing to overlook the police’s negligence.”

After speaking, Brooklyn looked at the prosecutor.

As he had expected, the prosecutor did not immediately refute him but hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “The prosecution has no further objections.”

See, it worked!

After a moment of contemplation, Judge Anna made a decision.

“The defendant is charged with first-degree murder, which is a very serious charge. However, considering the defendant’s personal circumstances and the unclear nature of the case, the bail is set at $5,000, cash or through a bail bond company.”

Brooklyn breathed a sigh of relief.

The amount of bail represents the judge’s inclination in some way. If the bail is high or not allowed, it means that the judge is inclined to believe that the defendant is guilty, or even has some animosity towards the defendant.

If the bail is low or even without bail, it means that the judge is inclined to believe that there are other hidden circumstances in the case, and at least has some favor towards the defendant.

Brooklyn did not know Judge Anna well, but from the amount of bail, at least for now, her presence as the presiding judge would be advantageous to him.

The judge favored him, and the prosecutor also had some slight favor, which would make his trial much easier. Thinking this way, Brooklyn was just about to get up and leave when he heard Judge Anna speak again.

“Both parties please submit a list of evidence.”

Brooklyn raised his head in shock and looked at Judge Anna.

‘This is not right!’

‘Not right at all!’

Brooklyn slowly lowered his head and hid his emotions, forcing himself to calm down.

Normally, the list of evidence is submitted within ten days after the defendant pleads, and it is rarely requested immediately after the defense.

The list of evidence is the most direct battlefield for both parties to argue in subsequent court hearings. Throughout the trial, the prosecution and defense are all based on the list of evidence.

In short, the trial is about both sides presenting evidence alternately, and then revising their “story” based on the evidence to make the story more closely resemble the truth, based on their own interests.

Ultimately, the jury determines whose story is more true.

The essence of a maritime trial is to “tell a story,” and the comparison between the two sides is whose story is more true.

And the premise of a true story is based on the list of evidence!

Although the judicial procedure allows both parties to submit new evidence at any time during the trial, it is often used as a last resort.

Which is more convincing: a story with an outline, foreshadowing, and careful polishing, or a story that is thought up on the spot?

Brooklyn quickly recalled the past.

‘This was sent 20 hours ago, and now it has already reached the stage of submitting the evidence list. The progress is terrifyingly fast!’

‘What is going on?’

‘Is this the terrifying speed of progress for an internal employee benefits program?’

As the prosecutor searches through a pile of documents, he finally pulls out the evidence list and submits it. It’s almost his turn.

What should he do?

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Note:

Due process of law: refers to a legal procedure aimed at protecting individual rights, such as the right to know and the right to a hearing.

Bailiff: an official in a court of law who keeps order, usually looks after prisoners

Miranda v. Arizona was a famous case in the United States where Miranda kidnapped and raped a woman. He was caught by the police and confessed to the crime, but during his sentence, he appealed to the Supreme Court multiple times, claiming that his confession was forced. Ultimately, Miranda was acquitted, and this case led to the famous Miranda warning, which gives criminal suspects the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions during questioning. In the United States, if the police arrest you without reading the Miranda warning, any subsequent questioning cannot be used as evidence in court.

First-degree murder is one of the few serious crimes that an ordinary person can commit. It means intentionally and premeditatedly killing one or more people during the commission of a felony, and once convicted, it is usually punished with either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. This is in stark contrast to second-degree murder, which usually carries a sentence of 20 years