People are in Conan, but Ace Attorney

Chapter 1015 Reversal, and Then Another Reversal (The End)

Saruhashi Katsutoshi's eyes widened, and he quickly said...
"Of course I wouldn't murder Yuichi Hisaka, and neither would the teacher. Couldn't it just be a random killing?"

"Why does the murderer have to be either me or the teacher? If it was a random killing, then everything makes sense, doesn't it?"

However, Saruhashi's words silenced even Prosecutor Sugiura.

If it were a random killing, then all other suspects must be ruled out first; otherwise, the idea of ​​random killing will definitely not work.

It's like a fire-breathing dragon in a parking garage.

You cannot prove that the random killer exists, nor can you prove that the random killer does not exist. Therefore, this conclusion can only be reached after eliminating all possibilities.

The current situation is quite awkward.

Because there are very few available pieces of evidence and witnesses in this case, the prosecution simply cannot produce any evidence that can prove a person is absolutely guilty, especially since the only witness, Katsumi Saruhashi, does not testify against Ryutaro Tsukigata.

The defense's goal was not simply to exonerate Tsukigata Ryutaro.

His goal was to uncover the truth of the case and deduce that Saruhashi was the murderer, but the defense presented all the evidence, which only proved that this possibility was possible.

However, this does not mean that the crime of murder is irrevocably attached to his name.

In this situation, there is only one way to break the deadlock.

Xiang Yuanguang continued,

“You’re right. You couldn’t possibly have murdered Yuichi Hisaka, and Ryutaro Tsukigata couldn’t possibly have murdered Yuichi Hisaka either. So, is it possible that Yuichi Hisaka would murder you?”

"Is it possible that Yuichi Hisaka came to murder you, but you killed him instead?"

The troublesome aspect of this case lies in its timeliness.

The deceased died the night before last, the case was discovered yesterday morning, the client only found Xiang Yuanguang last night, and the trial began this morning.

Even if there were other pieces of evidence in Saruhashi Masaru's house, they would have been cleared away long ago.

Even if Xiang Yuanguang went to Saruhashi Katsu's house this morning to check, he wouldn't be able to get any more evidence.

"...Mr. Saruhashi, would you like to make a phone call?"

Xiang Yuanguang suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the courtroom was taken aback.

I don't know what Xiang Yuanguang meant by saying that.

The courtroom is such a serious place, how could making a phone call be allowed?

You can just make a quick call when no one is looking. You definitely can't make a call in public, right?

As a veteran lawyer in Tokyo's legal profession, it's impossible that Xiang Yuanguang was unaware of this matter.

The presiding judge hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

However, Xiang Yuanguang continued,

"Mr. Saruhashi, shall we call and check on the situation at the Kusaka family's home?"

"If Yuichi Hisaka came to Tokyo with the intention of killing you, then he would definitely deal with his property and job in his hometown first to ensure that he has enough money to live in Tokyo."

"Perhaps he'll think of dealing with it after he comes to Tokyo."

"But his family will definitely be able to tell that Yuichi Hisaka has the tendency to run away. Whether he came to Tokyo to kill your luggage or not, they only need to call and confirm."

Xiang Yuanguang sighed, took a sip of coffee, and said,

"Want to try it?"

—He did not call the deceased's family.

This matter is far too heavy.

It shouldn't be his responsibility as the defense attorney to do this, but now that the case has progressed to this point, no matter what, Saruhashi Katsumi is unwilling to admit that he committed the murder, and he can't possibly launch a brutal attack in the direction of Saruhashi Katsumi's mental breakdown.

It seems that it's time to call Yuichi Hisaka's family to confirm the situation.

“Attorney Xiang Yuan…” The presiding judge swallowed hard, somewhat nervous.

If the case has reached a stalemate and the adjournment investigation cannot obtain more evidence and information, then doing so is perfectly reasonable. It also allows all information to be made public so that everyone can know.

But... isn't this a bit too cruel for Yuichi Hisaka's family?

Who should make this call?

Shall we call on Xiang Yuanguang?

Was he a bailiff? Or a prosecutor? Or the presiding judge?
Or is it the defendant, Ryutaro Tsukigata, or the witness, Masaru Saruhashi?

—This is currently the fastest way to solve a case.

The many audience members in the courtroom gallery fell silent.

This was a difficult decision.

However, some people are willing to make this difficult decision.

Ryutaro Tsukigata, in the defendant's dock, raised his hand and said,
"I'll make this call."

Ryutaro Tsukigata's tone was somewhat heavy.

As a teacher, the bad news about a student is something he should inform the student's family.

His idea was actually to protect both sides.

At the very least, he wanted to prevent Saruhashi Masaru from becoming the murderer, while also ensuring his own innocence.

Without a doubt, Xiang Yuanguang has the ability to protect both sides.

However, what the other side is demanding is the truth in court.

If we switch to another lawyer...

It's unlikely that they can even prove his innocence. After all, it would be impossible to obtain evidence from the Mihana Station surveillance footage or to have police officers and staff work together to search through the lockers one by one and retrieve the evidence.

Even lawyers who aren't high-profile enough can't do this.

Now that things have come to this point, he bears an inescapable responsibility.

Now that things have come to this, Ryutaro Tsukigata has nothing more to say. What's done is done. The only thing he can do to make amends is to make this phone call and bring the real truth to everyone.

Seeing Tsukigata Ryutaro's resolute expression.

The presiding judge nodded solemnly and said,

"Alright, then, Mr. Tsukigata Ryutaro, please turn on speakerphone during the call..."

Before he could finish speaking, another person's voice rang out.

That's Saruhashi Katsumi's voice.

"Sigh, let's stop here."

The witness sighed and finally told the truth.

"The situation is just as Attorney Xiang Yuan described."

"That's right, I was the one who killed Yuichi Hisaka. It was Yuichi Hisaka who came to my house out of jealousy and tried to murder me, but I killed him instead."

"After killing Yuichi Hisaka, I nervously dumped the body in Beika Kita Park, which is very close to Beika Station, in an attempt to mislead other people's opinions."

"To bolster my courage, I went to an izakaya for drinks. I didn't bother to go to the one I used to go to, and went straight to the nearest one. I thought I would be arrested by the police soon, but I didn't expect that Yuichi Hisaka would create his own alibi in order to kill me. This became my alibi instead."

Saruhashi Katsumi said in a low voice.
"...The stick that Yuichi Hisaka wanted to use to kill me, and the locker key that Yuichi Hisaka had on him, I have already thrown them in the trash and disposed of them. Without these two pieces of evidence, I could not have been found guilty."

"But I don't want teachers to have to endure this kind of pressure anymore."

"I am the murderer."

The trial ended abruptly.

(End of this chapter)