American Justice - Chapter 9

“Can the wounds of the deceased determine whether it was a suicide or a homicide?” Brooklyn asked in a low voice.

Dexter looked up and met Brooklyn’s eyes, slowly shaking his head. “No, they can’t.”

“Can the footprints near the deceased accurately determine the purpose of the perpetrator – if it was a homicide?” Brooklyn continued to ask.

“The footprints are dense and chaotic, with multiple deformations, varying step lengths and large variations, indicating that the perpetrator was nervous at the time,” Dexter answered.

“Can it be determined if the perpetrator – if there is one – was confirming the death rather than trying to save the victim?” Brooklyn asked again.

“If it was for saving, why didn’t you call the ambulance immediately?” Coulson stood up and asked.

“He just said that the perpetrator was nervous and panicked,” Brooklyn replied, turning his gaze to Coulson and pointing to Dexter.

“In addition, Mr. Prosecutor, it’s my turn now,” Brooklyn said, staring at Coulson like a hawk and gesturing towards Dexter.

“That is to say,” Brooklyn turned around to face everyone, “the bloodstains can only indicate the movement trajectory – first around the deceased, then to the wall, pausing and returning to the deceased, finally going to the door, and leaving, standing in the hallway. Right?”

“Oppose! Leading question!”

Coulson stood up again.

Brooklyn did not argue with him, but looked towards Judge Anna.

Judge Anna hesitated for a moment and then banged her gavel.

“Objection overruled.”

Of course, the objection was overruled!

Although his questions were suggestive, the so-called inducement was based on the witness’s previous statements and was a summary of those statements.

“Yes.”

Under Brooklyn’s intimidating gaze, Dexter frowned and pondered.

He seemed distracted!

What’s on his mind?

These two questions flashed through Brooklyn’s mind as he continued to ask, “What if the victim committed suicide?”

“Objection! You’re assuming a result!”

Coulson stood up again.

Ignoring him, Brooklyn spoke quickly, rushing to finish his words before the judge made a ruling.

“If I was just shocked by the victim’s behavior and tried to save her when I realized what had happened, but found that she was already dead, I would be flustered and afraid of being accused of murder. I checked her hoping that the previous judgment was wrong. I hoped she was still alive. But she was indeed dead. At that time, the police knocked on the door, and I opened the door obediently because I didn’t want to continue to be misunderstood. Is my behavior the same as what you said?”

As Brooklyn spoke, Judge Anna continued to strike her gavel.

“Objection sustained!”

“Brooklyn!”

“Brooklyn Lee!”

Judge Anna shouted loudly, striking her gavel at the same time.

“I’m done asking.”

Listening to the murmurs in the courtroom, Brooklyn lowered his head and walked back to the defendant’s seat.

“Silence!”

“Keep quiet!”

Judge Anna continued to strike her gavel loudly.

“I ask the jury to ignore the previous question.”

She said to the jury representative.

This is not a game where you can restart from a save point. Can you ignore it just because you say so?

Brooklyn secretly grumbled.

“Brooklyn Lee, I hope you don’t make it difficult for me.”

Judge Anna warned.

This kind of method, which knowingly violates the procedural correctness, is used to make the jury hear it, and it can affect and even confuse their judgment. It is the most hated method of a judge.

Just like what Brooklyn was thinking.

It doesn’t follow the correct procedure at all, but once the words are spoken, the jurors will definitely hear them, and it cannot be eliminated by the judge’s command to ignore them.

This is completely a rogue tactic.

No judge likes this kind of tactic.

Finally, Judge Anna restored order in the courtroom. She looked at Brooklyn with an unpleasant expression and announced an adjournment in anger.

Brooklyn stood still and watched as Judge Anna left angrily, as Coulson frowned and lowered his head, as the jury was escorted out by the police, and as the media reporters looked excited.

In cases with a wide range of impacts, especially when one of the parties involved is a celebrity or a public figure with influence, to avoid the jurors being influenced by outside reports, the court will provide the jurors with full board and lodging to prevent them from contacting the outside world.

It’s a bit like being in prison.

Brooklyn was the last to leave. The police officer told him it was best to do so if he didn’t want to be surrounded by reporters.

Brooklyn obediently waited for everyone else to leave and then sat in the defendant’s seat, reviewing today’s trial.

He remembered having experienced a murder trial before.

The memory of the murder trial always exhausted everyone every time it was held. The judge, the judge’s assistant, the court clerk, the parties and lawyers on both sides, and the jurors…

Everyone should listen attentively to the questioning from both sides, keep their brains running and think carefully. It’s like having a whole day of math classes, and if you’re not careful, you won’t be able to understand what’s happening later.

But today?

Brooklyn looked at his watch, and the trial had only lasted for less than two hours, including the time spent selecting the jury.

From Brooklyn’s experience, the trial had been going well, and the recess was entirely unnecessary.

A good judge must be able to control the pace of the trial, not let the conflict between the prosecution and defense escalate, and not rashly interrupt the trial.

But Judge Anna did exactly that.

Was it her own idea, or was she instructed by someone else?

Was it the Chief Justice, whom he had never met?

He also thought about Coulson’s performance today.

The opening move, pretending to be weak, intentionally exposing weaknesses and luring the enemy to attack, was really impressive.

But upon careful consideration, this approach did not fit Coulson’s character.

What kind of person was Coulson?

Brooklyn had already made up his mind after a brief encounter with him.

Coulson was an ordinary person.

His abilities, thinking, ideas, inspiration, speech, and intelligence were all average. He was ordinary in every way.

According to Brooklyn’s judgment, Coulson could not have come up with this tactic. He should be the type of person who follows the rules and presents evidence step by step…

People with such abilities should be at the level of a law firm partner at the very least.

It’s not that Brooklyn looks down on the prosecutor’s office, but such talented people cannot be kept there.

“You may leave now.”

The bailiff came over to remind him, interrupting Brooklyn’s thoughts.

Brooklyn got up and walked towards the parking lot.

Sitting in the car, instead of leaving immediately, he thought for a moment and then took out his phone.

“David? It’s me…”