Me! A disgraced celebrity! Starting by seeking justice for impoverished students.

The two judges fell silent.

As judges, they must consider both the impartial perspective and the perspective of the victims when determining right and wrong.

However, from a public perspective, the defendant, Dong Xin, certainly bears responsibility in this case.

But if you really put yourself in his shoes...

In that situation, such behavior is also normal.

They also cannot make forceful demands; in such extreme circumstances, the defendant needs to be completely rational.

If they were placed in the same situation, their on-the-spot reactions probably wouldn't be much better.

Ding Xiaotang took a deep breath and continued speaking.

"What was the environment like? It was in a closed garage."

"Surrounded by several drunken strangers late at night, with his wife and children in dire straits, the defendant had no other choice but to flee!"

As a woman herself, she could better understand the experiences of the victims.

"Secondly, the other party knew the pregnant woman was present, yet still maliciously surrounded and intimidated her, disregarding the risk of harm to both mother and child. This constitutes a serious fault and self-inflicted risk, and they should bear all the consequences themselves!"

"Whether from a legal, moral, or regulatory perspective, the defendant should be found innocent and bear no criminal or civil liability!"

Ding Xiaotang and Fu Yuan held completely different views and were deadlocked.

The two expressed their opinions, listing legal principles, comparing similar precedents, weighing social impact, and repeatedly arguing.

For a moment, the discussion room fell into a stalemate.

All the pressure fell on Judge Wu Song.

According to the principle of majority rule, he was the key vote that ultimately determined the outcome of the case.

Wu Song remained silent for a long time, repeatedly flipping through the thick court transcripts and the complete set of evidence materials.

He frowned slightly, carefully considering the matter.

Instead of rushing to make a statement, they systematically addressed the core doubts one by one.

"We cannot discuss the appropriate level of liability without considering the circumstances surrounding the incident, nor can we discuss exemption from liability without considering the outcome of death."

Wu Song summarized the opinions of the two men and gave a relatively neutral view.

"First, we need to confirm the continuity of the unlawful infringement."

"Three drunk men surrounded and threatened the defendant twice, smashing windows and obstructing his escape. Their attacks never stopped, and the defendant was always in a passive state of defense. There is no doubt about that."

"Secondly, confirm the causal relationship."

"The autopsy report and emergency medical records are true. There was medical intervention as a factor in the serious injuries from the impact and the eventual death. The direct causal relationship under criminal law is broken. This is the defendant's core legal basis."

"Furthermore, considering the protection of special rights, the physical and mental safety of the fetus and the pregnant woman in early pregnancy is a special right that is protected by law. The other party's malicious coercion of the mother and child is extremely malicious."

"Finally, we must also consider the social and judicial direction: if the defendant is convicted of legitimate self-defense actions to protect his wife and children under these circumstances, it would seriously deviate from the public's basic sense of justice and mislead social values!"

Wu Song's layered analysis is well-reasoned and based on evidence, taking into account legal principles, emotional considerations, and social guidance.

As judges, they should consider issues from multiple perspectives.

The stalemate has eased slightly.

The other two judges stopped debating and fell into deep thought again.

Let's re-examine all the details of this case from Wu Song's perspective.

After a brief silence, Judge Wu Song raised his eyes and said firmly, "Considering all the facts of the case, all the evidence, the latest judicial principles, and social norms..."

"My opinion is: self-defense should be deemed legitimate, the defendant Dong Xin is innocent, and should not bear any criminal or civil liability for compensation!"

"Furthermore...the defendant should also seek civil compensation from the perpetrator for any property damage suffered as a result of the infringement!"

The atmosphere in the deliberation room froze instantly.

The minority must submit to the majority; once Wu Song voiced his opinion, the outcome of the lawsuit was already decided.

After a one-hour recess, all parties were notified and all personnel returned to court.

The one-hour recess felt like an eternity to both the plaintiff and the defendant.

The atmosphere in the courtroom was extremely tense.

Anyone involved in the case is now restless, quietly awaiting the final verdict.

The plaintiff's family members were pale, with a hint of fear and sliver of hope in their eyes.

Their biggest fear is losing the case completely and letting the other party get away scot-free.

Ye Heng leaned against the plaintiff's seat.

He had long lost his initial confidence and assertiveness, and his heart was now ice-cold.

Years of experience in defense told him that winning the case was hopeless.

On the other hand, look at the defendant's dock.

Dong Xin held Guo Ting's slightly trembling hand as the couple sat there.

They are waiting not just for a verdict, but for their long-overdue innocence to be proven!

Jiang Chen remained calm, his gaze fixed on the judge's bench.

In his view, he had done the best he could.

Whether this will mark a significant turning point in the history of Chinese law depends on the judgment of the collegial panel.

The number of viewers waiting in the live stream exceeded one million!

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the final result.

[An hour has passed... the verdict is finally about to be announced!]

My heart is pounding; the outcome of this case is crucial!

[If an ordinary person can be acquitted in a case of self-protection, it would be the most just ruling of the year!]

We implore the court to give ordinary people justice!

Legal principles are not without human compassion; he did nothing wrong!

Soon, the presiding judge, accompanied by two judges, slowly walked into the dock.

The next second, the clerk's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence of the entire room.

"Everyone stand up!"

Splash...

Everyone in the room stood up straight at the sound, their eyes fixed on the judge's bench.

Wu Song stood in the very center, with his back to the national emblem, his expression solemn and dignified.

He picked up the first-instance judgment drafted in court, his voice loud and steady.

"After closed-door deliberation by the collegial panel, taking into account all the evidence, the facts of the trial investigation, and the latest judicial guidelines on legitimate self-defense, the verdict is hereby pronounced in court!"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the room tensed up instantly.

Wu Song read out the judgment clauses one by one without pausing.

"The first item concerns the conviction and sentencing of the defendant, Dong Xin."

"Upon investigation, the defendant Dong Xin's act of swerving to avoid a direct confrontation at the time of the incident was an act of emergency avoidance and legitimate self-defense under circumstances of continuous and imminent unlawful infringement upon his personal rights and those of his close relatives!"

"His actions did not exceed the limits of necessary self-defense, and he bears no criminal responsibility under the law!"

Verdict: Defendant Dong Xin is found not guilty and is released immediately!

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire room fell into a brief, deathly silence.

A low, barely suppressed gasp instantly rose from the audience seats.

Released in court!?

Was it truly ruled as legitimate self-defense, rather than excessive self-defense?

Dong Xin shuddered violently, his nerves, which had been tense for several days, suddenly relaxed, and his eyes instantly reddened.

Innocent!

He is truly innocent!

Guo Ting's body went limp, and she leaned on her husband's shoulder.

All the fear and grievances of these past few days vanished with the judge's verdict!

Jiang Chen breathed a slight sigh of relief and smiled at the two of them.

However, a furious outburst suddenly erupted from the audience.

"Why?!"