I'm building Gundams in America

Chapter 135 So you're Jack! (Seeking monthly votes)

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, a white man in his thirties, dressed in an ill-fitting, wrinkled Brazilian suit, was led into the courtroom by two bailiffs and taken to the witness stand.

His gaze was hesitant, his head slightly lowered, somewhat timidly not daring to look up ahead.

Judge Warren narrowed his eyes, realizing that now that the witness had testified, no matter how Wayne tried to defend himself, it would be useless.

Wayne is doomed.

It must be a serious crime.

The prosecutor began by asking, "Mr. Doug Holden, were you ever coerced by the Saints Gang into paying for Bruce Wayne's so-called exorcisms? Were you even threatened?"

The witness looked up at Wayne, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a moment.

The prosecutor frowned and said, "Mr. Doug, you previously reported Bruce Wayne for operating an unlicensed medium business and for colluding with the Saints to coerce and extort you, didn't you?"

Witness Doug looked up and met the gaze of old Will in the gallery, and he couldn't help but shudder.

He was a drug addict and homeless man on the streets of the South District who had previously received free medical treatment from Wayne, who cured his pneumonia.

Some time ago, he had a drug craving, and a police officer named Owen suddenly approached him, saying that if he reported the street saints, he could get some boosters; otherwise, he would be thrown in jail.

Ultimately, Doug could not resist the temptation and coercion and reported Wayne for being an unlicensed medium.

Wayne has really been arrested.

He has been restless ever since.

Unexpectedly, Old Will and his Saints gang came knocking on their door.

Old Will said nothing, but instead stabbed his own palm with a dagger right in front of him.

Their only request was that Doug remain silent in court.

"Mr. Doug, I'm asking you a question! Do you know that perjury is a serious crime?" the prosecutor asked sternly, frowning.

Doug still didn't dare to speak.

He dared not meet Wayne's gaze.

Upon seeing the gentle gaze of the black-haired, black-eyed man, guilt began to fester in his heart, multiplying like mold.

Wayne looked at the judge and said, "Since the witness is unwilling to speak, I request cross-examination."

Judge Warren frowned and said, "Yes."

Although it's unclear why the witness isn't speaking, if Wayne actually manages to provoke the witness into speaking, that would actually be a good thing.

Even if the witnesses are truly unable to testify, it doesn't matter; they still have physical evidence.

Wayne said gently, "Doug, my friend, is your cough any better?"

Witness Doug was taken aback. He had assumed that Wayne had long forgotten who he was and that the other party would directly question the veracity of his report. However, he did not expect that Wayne would start by expressing concern for his health!

He trembled involuntarily and finally managed to stammer, "I—I—Sir—I—"

Then Wayne continued, "Don't panic, my friend. I know you have your own difficulties, and I won't blame you. If you need help, remember to go to old Will. He will help you find a job. Bring little Adam back as soon as possible. A child cannot be without his father."

Doug Holden, an orc farmer from the South, went bankrupt, divorced, and homeless due to a corn buyer's delayed purchase. Addicted to enhancement drugs, he is trying to get a community college diploma, hoping to turn his life around, get a decent job, and find his son Adam, who was sent to a foster home.

He—he always remembered me—he always kept my difficulties in mind and always wanted to help me—and I—and what did I do?

Upon hearing Wayne's words, Doug trembled all over, his eyes filled with shock, confusion, and regret.

Unable to control himself any longer, he burst into tears, crying out, "No! Sir! Mr. Wayne! Forgive me—I betrayed you! You saved my life, and I betrayed you—I'm a Judas, I'm a bastard!"

"That Officer Owen said he'd put me in jail if I didn't do it! I was hooked up to drugs, I was out of my mind—"

As he spoke, Doug suddenly raised his hand and began slapping himself repeatedly, crying and shouting, "He said all I had to do was report you as an unlicensed medium and pay a few hundred dollars in fines—he said he just wanted to take you to get some information—I'm an idiot! I deserve to die! I should go to hell!"

As he spoke, Doug collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

This scene instantly caused an uproar in the entire courtroom, with everyone, from the jury to the audience, staring wide-eyed.

The media reporters were even more excited and were frantically taking notes.

These kinds of scandals within the police station are natural hot topics.

Judge Warren slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "Silence! Silence!"

The prosecutor, equally flustered, snapped at Doug, "Doug, do you know what you're doing? You're committing perjury before admitting to it? That's a serious crime!"

The minimum sentence is 2 years, and the maximum can be 15 years!

Then he suddenly remembered Doug's words and asked, "You said Wayne cured your illness? Was he practicing medicine without a license?!"

The crime of practicing medicine without a license is far more serious than that of being an unlicensed spiritual medium, and even surpasses gang coercion and extortion.

Doug said blankly, "No—the Saint just—just put his hand on my forehead, chanted some incantations I didn't understand, said some kind words, it was more like a performance—and then I felt much better—he didn't want my money—"

The prosecutor felt like he had punched a cotton ball, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he said, "Your Honor, I don't know why the witness recanted his testimony in court and admitted to perjury, but we also have evidence from the Seattle Police Department!"

"Captain Irwin Marshall of the Seattle South Precinct personally led the arrest, seized the stolen money on the spot, and there is also on-site body camera footage. I request that this video be played."

Judge Warren quickly replied, "Agreed!"

The events that unfolded in court today were so bizarre that he had a vague feeling that things were spiraling out of control.

However, given physical evidence and the enforcement video of Irving Marshall, the Seattle Police Department's star captain, Wayne will also find it difficult to escape punishment.

Soon, some banknotes in transparent sealed bags were brought up; they were the same ones Irving had taken from the pile of voodoo bones when he arrested Wayne that day.

On a laptop, footage from the day's law enforcement recorder began playing.

A group of police officers stormed into the tent, where Wayne was sitting with a pile of voodoo bones and banknotes in front of him, followed by a scuffle with the Saints gang members.

Judge Warren said arrogantly, "Defendant, what else do you have to say?"

Without glancing at the judge and prosecutor, Wayne turned to the jury box and said calmly, "When I was a child, I played a character named Bronjac in 'Golden Childhood' —"

Passive skill [Old Friends in a Foreign Land] triggered!

Upon hearing this, a gasp of surprise immediately rippled through the jury.

"Bang Jack! It really is him!"

"Good heavens, the name Bruce Wayne—I should have known better!"

"That was my favorite show when I was a kid—"

"Has he retired from the film and television industry? Why hasn't he had any new works in so many years?"

"I feel like I've returned to my wonderful childhood."

"6

"Wayne continued, "In that show, that character once said something like, 'In this land—'"

Wayne had barely begun speaking when a juror, eyes glazed over, joined in, saying, "—No one is above another—"

Wayne nodded: "Yes, that's right—I still believe it now. After I was burdened with huge debts and homeless, one night I dreamed of God and heard a divine message that I should go and pray for others and bless them—so I did it."

"Speaking of which, this kind of prayer and blessing seems to have some effect—my blessing once helped a paralyzed patient recover, once helped an addict kick his addiction, once helped a depressed person become cheerful again, and once helped a lame person walk normally again—"

Upon hearing Wayne's words, almost all the jurors—Gavin, whose son has polio; Connor, who is addicted to painkillers; Jessica, who was sexually harassed by her boss; and so on—saw expectant glints in their eyes.

Are miracles really possible?

If it's Bacon Jack, then maybe it's true —

Childhood memories are always automatically tinged with a golden glow.

After learning that Wayne was the actor who played Bung Jack, many people had a different feeling about him.

The prosecutor frowned and said, "If that's the case, how do you explain the money?"

Doug, his voice trembling, said from the witness stand, "I know that some people are grateful for Mr. Wayne's blessing and will donate some money to him, but compared to the hospital's fees, it's negligible, even insignificant—and it's a voluntary donation—"

Judge Warren frowned and said, "Defendant, the facts will not change because of your defense! This police record from Officer Irving Marshall clearly shows that you yourself accepted bribes—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a gasp erupted from the audience: "My God!"

This is a reporter in the audience, staring at his phone with a shocked expression.

Judge Warren shouted, "Silence! Are you in contempt of court?!"

The reporter looked up and shouted, "Look at the news! Major media outlets and the Seattle Police Department have received a large amount of evidence regarding Irving Marshall's collusion with MS-13. He's a corrupt cop!"

"Irving Marshall himself committed suicide this morning by crawling under a moving pickup truck!"

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Many people have been following the Seattle Police Department's cracking of a human trafficking case these past few days, and know that Irving Marshall was the officer in charge.

Unexpectedly, the other party was a corrupt and lawless cop!

Wayne calmly looked at Judge Warren and asked, "Isabella, whom I once helped, was persecuted by MS-13. I've always wondered why he suddenly arrested me. Perhaps this is the answer to everything."

Upon hearing this, the jury members immediately showed expressions of sudden realization.

"So, is the evidence provided by Officer Owen still valid?" Wayne asked calmly.

Judge Warren gritted his teeth and said, "The two cases are completely unrelated, and no correlation can be proven—the evidence remains valid and proves that the defendant did indeed charge fees illegally!"

"Proceed with closing arguments immediately!"