People are in Conan, but Ace Attorney

Chapter 878 A Dragon-like Reversal (82)

Although the blond judge did not understand what Xiang Yuanguang meant by his actions, he still chose to trust him.

In the Tokyo District Court, Kou Gen's name is quite authoritative. Since he is already on the same side as you, it's best not to speak recklessly, so as not to disturb the big boss's train of thought.

After secretly stopping the judge's intimidating attempt, Xiang Yuanguang spoke again.
"Mr. Long Island, are you familiar with the regulations regarding remaining silent in court and not giving any testimony? If you are not, then let me explain it to you briefly."

The lawyer in blue, holding a cup of coffee, glanced at Seiichi Nagashima, who seemed somewhat bewildered after being interrupted by his words, before continuing his speech.

"When giving testimony in court, there are really only two options to choose from."

"Either you give testimony from the beginning or you refuse to give testimony from the beginning. There is no situation where you give testimony and then refuse to give testimony midway, or you refuse to give testimony and then give testimony midway."

he said.

Upon hearing Xiang Yuanguang's words, a hint of doubt appeared in Nagashima Seiichi's eyes.

He was unaware of the relevant court regulations in this regard, but now, listening to Xiang Yuanguang's explanation of these regulations, they didn't seem to hold any particular significance...

Since they refused to testify, of course they would remain silent from beginning to end, right? Is that even a question?

Seeing that Nagashima Seiichi didn't seem to grasp the key point, Minamoto Hikaru took a sip of his coffee and finally spoke.

"If Mr. Long Island refuses to testify, then everything concerning Mr. Long Island will be decided based on the evidence, and Mr. Long Island will have no right to defend or explain himself."

"In other words, as long as we can find any evidence that Mr. Nagashima betrayed Akira Nishikiyama and cooperated with Yasuhito Ito, then Mr. Nagashima's actions will be definitively established."

—As long as any evidence is found? Really?

A look of shock appeared in Seiichi Nagashima's eyes.

He turned his head to look in the direction of the prosecutor's bench.

Although he didn't really understand the details of the trial, he did understand that defense lawyers and prosecutors were adversaries. In other words, when a defense lawyer said something outrageous, he only needed to observe the prosecutor's reaction to know if it was true.

However, Sayoko Iwai's reaction sent a chill down his spine.

The reason was simple: the chief prosecutor from the Ministry of Public Security just stood there without saying a word, seemingly acknowledging that what Xiang Yuanguang had just said was indeed true.

Nagashima Seiichi immediately felt the pressure on him increasing.

Refusing to testify means that there is no way to defend or explain oneself if no incriminating evidence is found. In other words, if the prosecutor and the defense lawyer are on the opposite side, they can be framed and ruined.

However, if he were to give testimony, he would face the charge of perjury.

He himself had never considered the possibility that he could deceive both Mugen Hikaru and Iwai Sayoko by giving false testimony and thus escape unscathed from the trial.

The reason is simple: even Shimano Tai from the Shimano Group fell in court.

He was merely a peripheral core member of the Jinshan Group, slacking off. His abilities and experience were far inferior to Shimano Tai's. If Shimano Tai couldn't handle it, how could he possibly handle it?
Seiichi Nagashima was torn between his inner thoughts and his own conscience.

He suspected that Xiang Yuanguang was simply putting pressure on him by saying this, hoping that he would give testimony in court so that Xiang Yuanguang could find an opportunity to attack him.

However, if one remains silent in court...

No, no, no, you should think of it this way: if the people in the courtroom could find evidence of his crimes related to Ito Yasuhito, then they wouldn't have let him testify as a witness.

It was because Xiang Yuanguang could not obtain relevant evidence that they pressured him and tried to get him to give testimony.

—Yes, that must be it. Seiichi Nagashima had found the answer in his heart.

He spoke earnestly and solemnly to the presiding judge.

"I will remain silent during this trial and will not give any testimony!"

Upon hearing this, a look of helplessness appeared on the judge's face.

If Seiichi Nagashima hadn't explicitly said that, he could have subtly pressured him to see if Nagashima would change his mind.

But now that Seiichi Nagashima has stated that he is unwilling to testify in court, there's nothing that can be done.

It seems that Attorney Xiang Yuan is not omnipotent after all; even when faced with a very atypical witness like Seiichi Nagashima, he can still make mistakes in judgment.

However, this would make it difficult for the trial to continue.

The presiding judge was thinking this.

He glanced at the direction of the defense table, intending to see how Xiang Yuanguang would react. However, Xiang Yuanguang's reaction surprised him, as Xiang Yuanguang showed no signs of regret or panic.

The legendary blue-clad lawyer, renowned throughout Tokyo, simply took a sip of his coffee and calmly stated,

"In that case, please have Mr. Ito and Mr. Nagashima appear in court as witnesses."

"Your Honor, I hope you can allow me to question Mr. Ito further regarding Mr. Nagashima's matter, so as to find a further breakthrough in the case."

—Should Ito Yasuhito and Nagashima Seiichi appear in court together for trial?

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise appeared in the judge's eyes.

He didn't know why Xiang Yuanguang suddenly wanted Ito Taijin to appear in court as a witness.

Now that Seiichi Nagashima has refused to give testimony, it won't change anything even if Yasuhito Ito confronts him face-to-face. No amount of pressure can make him give any other testimony.

What's the point of having Yasuhito Ito appear as a witness now?

Not only was the presiding judge puzzled, but even Seiichi Nagashima himself was puzzled.

In response, Xiang Yuanguang simply snapped his fingers and said softly,

"Since Mr. Ito has made it clear that there was a transaction between him and Mr. Nagashima, it's impossible that there were no traces of the transaction, isn't it?"

"I believe that if Mr. Nagashima does nothing, even if Mr. Ito fabricates traces of the transaction or the money and goods involved, it will be of no use."

Yes, that definitely won't be of any use...

—How could it possibly be of no use at all!

Seiichi Nagashima's face immediately turned green.

He really squandered the money he received. However, as a core member, everyone else assumed he had his own ways of making money. Besides, the Jinshan Group was a place where everyone had their own dreams and lived their own lives.

No one noticed anything amiss while they were inside the Nishikiyama group. But if Ito Yasuhito points it out, and the Japanese Public Security Bureau investigates, wouldn't that be the end of it?!

(End of this chapter)