I'm building Gundams in America

Chapter 136 Saints Are Innocent! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Closing statements have essentially reached the final stage of the trial.

The prosecution gives its summary first, followed by the defendant's summary.

The prosecutor, who had a vague sense of impending doom, began to launch into a lengthy tirade, listing Wayne’s various crimes, including the fact that the body camera footage was irrefutable evidence.

They talked for more than half an hour, far exceeding the allotted time, before finally stopping.

Judge Warren looked at Wayne and quickly said, "Defendant's closing statement."

According to the law, Wayne is absolutely guilty, without a doubt.

After all, the law enforcement video footage is irrefutable.

He now realized that Wayne's nonsensical ramblings were clearly an attempt to manipulate the jury.

However, based on the judge's years of experience, simply swaying the jury with words is absolutely insufficient.

The claims about polio patients, painkiller addiction, and depression are all nonsense.

What does this have to do with the jurors?

Even if jurors knew who the other party was, a former child star known as "Bang Jack," they wouldn't be too moved, since celebrities commit crimes all the time.

Now, all that's needed is for the other party to finish their closing statement, and they can be convicted and sent to a high-security prison.

In court, jurors may always disagree, and at that moment, the judge's attitude is decisive.

Wayne looked around, his expression calm, and said slowly, "Ladies and gentlemen, if you ask me, I have never cared about the charges they have leveled against me. I just have a dream."

"My dream is that in this country, a mother will not suffer the pain of childbirth because she cannot get proper care after giving birth."

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Upon hearing this, Silla in the audience and Gavin in the jury simultaneously burst into tears.

"I dream that no father will be shot because of the color of his skin and will never be separated from his children again."

Juror Connor Walker raised his hand to cover his cheek.

"My dream is that no child will be forced into foster care and end up as a homeless person because their parents are too busy."

Martin Harper shook his head solemnly.

"My dream is that a student will not have to sell their blood and body and ruin their bright future because of student loans and textbook fees."

Juror Adele's eyes reddened.

"My dream is that a worker will not become addicted to drugs because of the hard work and be ruined for life."

Juror Fred O'Connor pursed his lips.

"My dream is for an immigrant to not be blackmailed by gangs and become a victim of exploitation."

Ethan Boyle clenched his fist.

"I dream that a racist KKK member will not become a high-ranking judge!"

Judge Warren was startled and looked sharply at Wayne, feeling as if he had been completely seen through!

"My dream is that in this country, people should live like human beings, instead of living in perpetual fear of being hunted!"

"I dream that man should be man, and not a commodity, not a cargo, not a slave, and certainly not food!"

'

"If this dream cannot be realized, I will destroy hell alone and build an ideal world!"

The prosecutor quickly said, "Judge, I protest! This has absolutely nothing to do with this case!"

Judge Warren's eyes were filled with terror. Wayne's words just now made him feel as if he had been stripped naked, and his most hidden side had been exposed.

The way he looked at Wayne was as if he were looking at a demon.

The verdict must be announced as soon as possible!

He quickly said, "Protest valid! Defendant—"

"He is innocent!" A sharp voice suddenly rang out, tinged with a sob. It was juror Gavin Perry who stood up.

Judge Warren frowned and snapped, "It's not time for the deliberations yet—"

"He is innocent!" another voice rang out from the jury. A black juror named Connor Walker stood up and shouted.

"He is innocent!" Juror Ethan Boyle, a Latino chef, stood up.

"Innocent!" Fred O'Connor stood ramrod straight, tears welling in his eyes.

"Innocent!" Jessica Taylor said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Innocent!"

"Innocent!"

"Innocent!"

"Innocent!"

In the jury box, one figure after another stood up, some with admiration, some with tears streaming down their faces, some with slightly red eyes, and some removing their hats in greeting.

Soon, all twelve jurors stood up, stared at Wayne, and shouted "Not guilty!"

Judge Warren stared in disbelief at the scene, wondering what had possessed these jurors.

He quickly raised his voice, "According to legal standards, the evidence is authentic and valid! The jury must judge according to the law, not just their personal feelings!"

From the gallery, Silla shouted, "What evidence? Evidence provided by that corrupt cop, Owen Marshall, who committed suicide out of guilt? Mr. Wayne is innocent! Saint is innocent! Innocent!"

Inspired by Silla, the audience in the gallery, along with the media reporters and jurors, all shouted in unison.

"Innocent!"

"Innocent!"

"Innocent!"

Even the bailiffs maintaining order in the courtroom had tears in their eyes and whispered cries of "not guilty."

They were completely captivated by this man!

Amidst deafening shouts of "Not guilty," Wayne calmly looked at Judge Warren, as if everything happening here had nothing to do with him.

From the very beginning, his target was never the defense based on evidence, but rather the jury.

According to the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits double jeopardy, a case ends once the jury finds the defendant not guilty.

The government may not appeal, may not retry, and judges may not overturn the decision.

In American law, the jury is the one who determines the facts, while the judge only deals with legal matters.

In other words, a judge can only sentence a person according to the law after the jury has found them guilty.

If the jury finds the defendant not guilty, the judge must accept the not guilty verdict, even if the judge himself believes the defendant is guilty.

The only thing a judge can do is to overturn a guilty verdict when there is clearly insufficient evidence, even if the jury finds the jury guilty.

If the jury finds the defendant not guilty, the judge must not overturn the verdict and find him guilty.

Just like in the O.J. Simpson murder case, which was based on overwhelming evidence and shocked the United States, the California jury found Simpson not guilty on both counts of murder and released him immediately.

In other words, American law has never pursued justice or fairness, but rather the likes and dislikes of the jury.

Rule of man? Rule of law?

funny.

The origins of the jury system can be traced back to the divine judgment presided over by the church in medieval Europe, also known as "God's judgment".

It wasn't until the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, led by the Pope, that clergy were prohibited from participating in divine trials. This forced the urgent implementation of a jury system, where 12 neighbors would swear an oath to deliver a verdict, thus replacing the direct manifestation of God.

Early juries were essentially sworn witnesses who made judgments after taking oaths before sacred objects; they were, in essence, a collective judgment bound by religious oaths.

In other words, the jury system originated from a religious contract.

American law originates from God. It is theocracy.

The courtroom was now filled with shouts of "Not guilty!" Judge Warren was in a state of panic, muttering, "Impossible—this—this is impossible—how could this be—"

Have all these jurors gone mad?

Just by listening to Wayne's nonsensical ramblings, you actually made this judgment?

He had clearly accepted a commission from Deputy Warden Cent of the King County Correctional Center to sentence Wayne to prison; what was he to do?

"Your Honor, please deliver the verdict—" Seeing Warren sitting blankly on the judge's bench, the clerk quickly came over to remind him.

The jury has already declared him not guilty, and there are still so many reporters present. If this drags on any longer, it will definitely cause a huge mess.

Moreover, the clerk also believed that Wayne was innocent.

He even considered waiting until the other party was acquitted so he could go to the street and have Wayne perform an exorcism.

Judge Warren mechanically stated, "Confirmed—…—…—No——Release in court—"

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted in the courtroom!

The jurors on the bench, along with numerous relatives and friends in the gallery, all cheered and rushed towards Wayne, surrounding him in the middle.

"I knew it! I knew it! These bastards can't take you down!" Mike hugged Wayne tightly, overjoyed, "Wayne, welcome home!"

David joined them in the embrace, exclaiming joyfully, "We won! To hell with the deep state! Innocent! Innocent!"

Old Will and the others were overjoyed, hugging each other and jumping for joy.

The jurors came over to Wayne to express their feelings of being moved and their admiration for him.

The entire courtroom was filled with joy, except for Judge Warren, who sat on the bench looking completely bewildered.

Just then, several police officers pushed open the door and entered. Leading them was none other than Erin, a rising star and policewoman for the Seattle Police Department.

Eileen and her companions made their way through the joyful crowd to Judge Warren. With solemn expressions, they said, "Judge Warren, the King County Correctional Center in Seattle has released the results of its internal investigation. Deputy Warden Cent is suspected of internal corruption and has been placed under investigation. He has implicated his accomplices, and you are the first one listed."

"You're under arrest!"

Your skill, Bard Performance, has been improved (4% + 5% specialization), and you have gained 5 experience points.

Your skill "Fellow Traveler" has been enhanced (Passive 60% + 20%).

You have successfully exempted the Dark Court from judgment. Reputation +10, Experience +10