People are in Conan, but Ace Attorney

Chapter 824 A Dragon-like Reversal (62)

[Testimony related to the kidnapping of Ai Haibara]

[Testimony begins]

"I did this, and it has nothing to do with anyone else."

"As for when I did it... it was around noon the day before yesterday. I took some people to that elementary school in Beika Town and took them out. That's all."

"Then last night, this guy and his men ambushed us."

"After that, they found the little girl, so I simply confessed and turned myself in, as a way of giving an explanation for this matter... Other than that, I don't seem to have anything else to say, so let's just end this quickly."

[End of testimony]

Goro Majima's testimony revealed a somewhat dismissive atmosphere.

He really didn't intend to give a proper testimony. In fact, he was only giving a perfunctory testimony because of Xiang Yuanguang. After all, as someone who was taking the blame, there was no point in saying so much.

After Kiryu Kazuma and Serena finished arguing behind her back, he went inside right then and there.

He was present during the court hearing, and Kiryu Kazuma remained completely silent throughout, not saying a word. This shows that the fastest way to take the blame in court is to remain silent.

"...It seems the witness's testimony has been completed."

The presiding judge listened and then remained silent for a moment.

Then he looked towards the defense table and said to Xiang Yuanguang.

"Attorney Xiang Yuan, this court would like to know your opinion."

"Do you believe that witness Goro Majima is the mastermind behind the kidnapping of your adopted daughter, or do you believe that Tai Shimano is the mastermind? At this point, the court has to reconsider Goro Majima's identity..."

"Goro Majima is not a kidnapper; at most, he can be considered an accomplice."

Xiang Yuanguang snapped his fingers, his expression remarkably calm.

It was as if they weren't talking about someone related to him, but about something completely ordinary. This expression immediately made the judge feel that something was amiss.

He suspected that Xiang Yuanguang was in a bad mood, but he couldn't find any evidence.

"Your Honor, you only need to wait until my questioning phase is over, and then deliver your verdict based on the results of the questioning and the current evidence. As long as you follow the proper procedures, no one will criticize you, right?"

The lawyer in blue said this.

Although he used honorifics, the presiding judge still subconsciously swallowed.

It's like the contrast when someone who's usually amiable and jovial suddenly becomes serious. When Yuan Guang speaks like this, it gives off a polite warning vibe, but he doesn't explicitly tell him not to jump to conclusions at this time.

The presiding judge glanced in the direction of the prosecutor's bench.

As the chief prosecutor, Sayoko Iwai had already remained silent and did not utter a word.

She had realized that she couldn't keep up with Hikaru's pace, and that she didn't know as much about intelligence and evidence as Yuya Kazami, who was in charge of public security. In that case, she might as well remain silent.

At least this way you won't get a sudden gust of wind from the hedgehog hitting your face.

Seeing that the prosecutor had no opinion on the matter and remained silent.

The judge then raised and lowered the gavel, and then spoke.

"Then, please proceed with the questioning phase, Attorney Yuan." 【————Questioning Begins————】

Xiang Yuanguang gently touched his forehead with his finger.

He quickly reviewed all of Majima Goro's testimony in his mind, and combined it with the sequence of events he had already deduced, he quickly came up with a line of questions that he could use to subtly probe Shimano Tai.

Standing next to Xiang Yuanguang, Koshimizu Nanatsuki was somewhat dissatisfied.

She had never quite understood the thinking of someone like Goro Majima, who supposedly valued loyalty within the yakuza. His actions were simply creating trouble for himself, his friends, and even the person who was taking the blame for him.

This approach is entirely detrimental and puts immense pressure on the defense.

Although Nanatsuki Koshimizu was only in a position similar to a detective's assistant, she still knew to some extent what kind of clients defense lawyers disliked most.

Without a doubt, that's the type of person who isn't actually the perpetrator but insists on being the one who committed the crime.

Previously, I encountered three such mysterious figures in Shizuoka Prefecture. At least there was some misunderstanding among them. After the matter was clarified, they stopped insisting on claiming to be the murderer, which made things a little easier.

But someone like Goro Majima is someone who clearly knows all the details but still insists on sticking to his guns.

This troublesome guy should just go in with Shimano Tai, the real criminal.

Nanatsuki Koshimizu was in a bad mood.

She dislikes people who cause trouble for others, especially when it involves proving their innocence.

However, in contrast to Nanatsuki Koshimizu's bad mood, Tai Shimano was in a very good mood.

As an old yakuza from the Showa era, he certainly couldn't keep up with the pace of the modern courtroom, but he was still quite clear about the basic rules of the court.

All statements made in court are legally binding.

Now, Goro Majima's testimony has once again pushed him toward guilt, and it is foreseeable that the suspicion against him will only grow stronger.

In Shimano Tai's view, the possibility of Xiang Yuanguang being able to reverse the situation through a single questioning phase without any other evidence is almost zero!
At this moment, the corner of the East City Club's high-ranking member's mouth curled up.

A sense of pride welled up inside me, and my previous unease vanished completely.

Even the legendary lawyer from Tokyo could only allow him to leave the courtroom innocent after knowing full well that he was the real culprit.

Fortunately, this time they found Hikaru Mugen instead of Kensuke Komikado.

If Kensuke Komikado were to stand in the defense at this moment, given the other party's ruthless nature, he might actually be able to get Goro Majima to change his mind and tell the truth. But if it were Hikaru Minamoto, it would be a different story.

As is well known, Xiang Yuanguang never resorts to underhanded tactics.

That's what Shimano thought to himself.

However, what he didn't expect was—

If it were Kensuke Komikado, also a legendary lawyer, standing in the defense seat, it would be impossible to get Goro Majima to change his mind, because Kensuke Komikado is the kind of person Goro Majima hates the most.

Forget about getting Goro Majima to change his story; he probably wouldn't even give any testimony in court.

The only person who can get Goro Majima to give testimony and bring the real perpetrators of this incident to justice is Hikaru Mukai, who is currently standing behind the defense table.

"Then, the next testimony I will ask for is..."

(End of this chapter)