Chapter 15
In the archive room of the law firm, Amelia stood quietly in the middle of the bookshelf, her fingertips resting on a yellowed file.
The Case of Fernando’s Intentional Homicide
This was five years ago, when she took on her first criminal defense case just after starting her own practice.
The defendant Fernando Osborne was sentenced to death in the first instance for stabbing his colleague to death in a construction site dispute.
She fought hard to obtain a stay of execution, but after the verdict was announced, he grabbed her by the neck and threatened, “You bitch, if I die in prison, even as a ghost I won’t let you go!”
Now, this case file appeared in front of her again – Fernando killed a prison guard in prison, the death penalty sentence was upheld in the second trial, and he filed an appeal.
Amelia closed the file and said to her assistant, “I will personally handle this case.”
Three days later, Amelia ran into Owen in the courthouse hallway.
He stood smartly in front of the defense lawyer’s bench in a suit, holding Fernando’s power of attorney.
“How coincidental, he looked at her intently, “we meet again.”
Amelia sneered, “When did Mr. Hayes start taking on cases of death row inmates?”
He fell silent for a moment and whispered, “I just wanted to see you.”
She brushed past without even looking back, saying, “Is that so? Perfect, see you in court.”
On the day of the trial, Fernando was escorted to the defendant’s seat in handcuffs. When he saw that the prosecuting lawyer was Amelia, his cloudy eyes suddenly narrowed: “It’s you?!”
Amelia calmly opened the case file: “Your Honor, we are now submitting new evidence – the defendant Fernando, during his time in prison, had violently attacked his cellmates three times and was heavily involved in the prison black market.”
The projection screen lit up, in the surveillance video Fernando sharpened. his toothbrush and then viciously stabbed it into someone’s neck.
Owen stood up to argue, “These events are irrelevant to the case and cannot be used to prove his premeditation in killing the prison guard.”
“Of course, Amelia suddenly pulled out a psychiatric evaluation report, “Fernando exhibits significant antisocial personality traits and a high risk of reoffending. And on the day the prison guard died…”
She clicked the remote control, freezing the monitor on the image of Fernando stealing the police dagger.
“This was not a crime of passion, it was a premeditated murder.”
Owen clenched his fists. The chain of evidence was too complete, and he couldn’t find a single flaw.
When the judge announced the adjournment for deliberation, Fernando suddenly broke free from the court police and rushed towards Amelia: “Bitch! If it weren’t for you meddling back then, I would have been out on medical parole long ago!”
Amidst the screams of the onlookers, Owen suddenly rushed forward and knocked Fernando to the ground with a powerful punch. The police quickly swarmed in to restrain the criminal, while Owen’s knuckles were already dripping with blood.
Amelia stood still, her pupils trembling slightly.
Three years ago. Owen, who helped her out in front of the courthouse, is now overlapping with the figure in front of him again.
Due to the suspension of the trial because of the violent incident, Owen, after receiving a simple bandage in the medical room, found Amelia standing by the window in the hallway.
He walked up behind her, his voice hoarse: “Back then… was it him too?”
She didn’t look back: “Well, I won the lawsuit, he almost strangled me.”
“Amelia. I…”
“Mr. Hayes, she interrupted him, turning with a calm but terrifying look in her eyes, “Are you really taking on this case today because you want to defend him, or is this just a moment of self–indulgence for you?”
“What did you say about taking this lawsuit to see me… Owen, do you still remember the original intention of becoming a lawyer?”
Her words were full of sarcasm and doubt.
Owen opened his mouth, struck dumb by these words.
When the court convened again, Owen made a decision that shocked the entire audience.
“Based on the new evidence provided by the opposing lawyer, the defense has applied to withdraw the appeal.”
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Fernando suddenly turned his head to look at Owen, cursing loudly at the defendant’s table, while Owen just looked at Amelia and said, “You’re right, some people are not worth defending.”
The judge pronounced in court, “The death penalty verdict is upheld and will be carried out immediately.”
