The trial has officially begun.

The suspect’s defense lawyer, Shangguan Wanwan, the lawyer entrusted by the victim’s family, Gu Yuzhi, and the prosecutor engaged in a back-and-forth debate.

Initially, the prosecutor’s side was quite confident.

Photos of the crime scene splattered with blood, neighbors identifying the crime scene, and the forensic examination of the wounds and fingerprint identification of the knife—all evidence pointed to Li Meilian.

"Justifiable defense does not hold because there is no direct evidence that the deceased Yang had any intent to harm. Although the Li family had injuries, their daughter was unscathed. The current evidence only indicates that during the tussle with Yang, the Li family stabbed three times, exceeding ordinary resistance, and highly likely had the intent to kill. However, considering the Li family’s frail build compared to Yang’s strong physique, it was difficult for her to foresee having the ability to cause death, thus it is deemed she had the intent of causing death due to negligence. It is most appropriate to define this case as negligent manslaughter."

Reducing the charge from intentional murder to negligent manslaughter was already the most generous judgment given by the prosecutor based on the existing evidence.

This also aligned with the judgment of Gu Yuzhi’s law firm colleagues.

Gu Yuzhi closed the case files, stood up, and added, "I would like to supplement one point. This is the deceased Yang Quan’s medical examination report. Please pay attention to the description on the eighth line from the bottom of the last page."

He handed the document to the staff for projection.

When that page appeared on the screen, everyone in the courtroom couldn’t help but exclaim "Ah—".

It was written in black and white on the medical report that Yang Quan had a urological condition, his ability... had long lost its function.

In other words, he did not have the basic function to harm any woman in that regard.

At most, he could only sexually harass by hand.

"According to Empire law, only in dangerous situations such as rape or murder, where personal safety is severely threatened, is justifiable defense allowed without any restrictions, and causing death in the course of defense carries no responsibility. But sexual harassment does not count."

"If someone harasses you, you can resist, you can injure, but you cannot use it as a reason to kill him or her; legally, it is disproportionate and unjust."

"Therefore, I agree with the prosecutor’s opinion that justifiable defense does not hold in this case, and defining it as negligent manslaughter is a respect for the law."

"After all, the right to life is our final defense, and the degree of one’s wrongdoing should match the punishment received, not to recklessly take life."

Gu Yuzhi calmly stated his viewpoint and slowly took his seat.

Everyone at the scene had some admiration for him. No wonder Professor Gu was renowned in the legal field; such a complex case was elucidated so clearly by him, and the evidence was so compelling.

Even though everyone sympathized with the woman who was forced to kill her husband, they couldn’t help but admit that she indeed committed a crime.

Seeing the jurors and the judge nodding frequently, Shangguan Wanwan, seated at the suspect’s defense, came forward: "I have new evidence to submit. Please allow me to summon a new witness."

She spoke quickly, her short hair flicking with a bit of flair, embodying the demeanor of a typical career-oriented woman.

Everyone turned their attention to this unfamiliar returning female lawyer, curious about how such a seemingly slam dunk case could have any turns.

A man dressed in rags with messy hair was summoned, appearing honest but a bit stage-shy. However, upon seeing Li Meilian, the man’s eyes immediately lit up, he couldn’t help but smooth his hair, then quickly bowed his head as if ashamed of his ragged appearance.

Li Meilian’s eyes narrowed and she did not look at him.