Chapter 652: Chapter 246: Discussion in the Collegial Panel, Verdict Announced!

This trial was about the judgment of these shameless, lawless elderly people.

Everyone was quite upset after hearing what the elders had done to the owner of the pumpkin patch.

But soon they discovered something: many cafeteria employees had gathered nearby, standing around the perimeter of the courtyard.

They were also watching the live broadcast of the trial.

The cafeteria’s main cook and prep cook were also reluctant to leave the scene.

As a result, everyone was hungry and looked at each other.

"Get back to work now!"

Among the crowd, Wan Zhongyuan saw this and glared at the cafeteria staff at the perimeter.

It was already past mealtime. His stomach was even starting to cramp now.

But these people were neglecting their duties and not providing meals on time.

This caused everyone in the entire courtyard to go hungry.

「Two hours later.」

「Nursing home.」

The cafeteria staff, amidst the rush, finally prepared the meals.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard’s live broadcast, the trial process for Zhao Dezhu and the other elders was also nearing completion.

The Judgment Chief and other judges were verifying each illegal act committed by Zhao Dezhu and the others.

This was shown in court to ensure the transparency and fairness of the sentencing that followed.

BANG—

Amidst the solemn sound of the gavel, the Judgment Chief took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "We will now move on to the second batch of hearings for this case. Bring up Zhao Fugui and the other pumpkin sellers."

Immediately after, the bailiff opened the side door of the courtroom and brought Zhao Dezhu’s son, Zhao Fugui, and others into the courtroom.

These pumpkin sellers were all descendants of Zhao Dezhu and the other elders, mostly their sons and nephews.

Upon entering the court, the prosecutor immediately stepped forward and began accusing everyone involved.

The content of their accusation was, naturally, that Zhao Fugui and others had sold stolen goods, knowing they were proceeds from a crime.

They were accused of concealing and hiding illegally obtained proceeds, a criminal act.

The procedure was the same as before.

Zhang Wei saw this and stepped forward to defend his clients. He said, "Respected Judgment Chief, esteemed judges, in this case, my clients have a special relationship with Zhao Dezhu and the other elders."

"They were aware of the stolen pumpkins. However, considering the elders’ mobility issues and their inability to travel to town, they helped sell the pumpkins on their behalf."

"This act stems from a familial bond. And although the pumpkins are proceeds from a crime, the amount involved is small, and the offense is minor. The applicable regulation should be detention, not imprisonment."

The prosecutor’s sentencing recommendation was to sentence the 65 individuals, including Zhao Fugui and the other pumpkin sellers, to one year to one year and three months of imprisonment, based on the number of pumpkins they sold.

For such a crime, Zhang Wei’s suggestion was actually to convert the sentence to detention, not probation.

In criminal sentencing, the options include the death penalty, life imprisonment, fixed-term imprisonment, detention, control, and probation.

The lightest of these is control, intended for those whose criminal acts are minor and pose little danger to society.

It also prohibits the criminal from engaging in specific activities, entering particular areas, or contacting certain people during the enforcement period.

This usually involves control for more than one month but less than six months.

However, the behavior of Zhao Fugui and others—knowing they were dealing with stolen goods and continuing to market them—meant they couldn’t argue for control.

The most suitable option was detention.

Detention usually lasts for more than six months but less than two years.

They would be held in a detention center, but they could go home for two days each month.

This is significantly different from the lengthy assessment period of probation.

Detention is short, has no assessment period, and allows for two days of freedom to go home.

Moreover, detention differs greatly from fixed-term imprisonment and probation in one key aspect: once detention is completed, it is not counted as a repeat offense.

However, those sentenced to probation who re-offend will be considered repeat offenders.

Thus, with further criminal activities, the punishment will be increased and intensified.

Therefore, overall, Zhang Wei’s defense aimed at reducing the sentences for Zhao Fugui and the others to detention of less than one year.

"In addition, my clients live in the countryside, and there are left-behind children at home..."

Next, he approached the court from several perspectives: their family circumstances, the favorable treatment typically afforded to rural areas, and the general situation of left-behind children, asking the court to consider compassionate grounds in their judgment.

There shouldn’t be any more issues this time, right?

After stating his views, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with lingering apprehension and discreetly glanced at Zhao Fugui and the others beside him.

He noticed that Zhao Fugui and the others were very subdued at this stage.

They had no desire to perform or show off.

"Judgment Chief, esteemed judges, here are the testimonies, confessions, and videos recorded by law enforcement body cameras of Zhao Fugui and others selling pumpkins in the town market and claiming the pumpkins were grown by themselves..."

The trial quickly moved into the evidence presentation phase again.

The prosecutor stepped forward to present evidence, showcasing the criminal facts concerning Zhao Fugui and the others.

The chain of evidence was robust and undeniable.

As descendants of Zhao Dezhu and the others, they couldn’t use "lack of knowledge" as a defense.

"Now, please proceed with the free debate," the Judgment Chief spoke solemnly, concluding the cross-examination phase.

Zhang Wei and Wang Dachui exchanged looks.

Wang Dachui took the initiative to step forward and elaborate on the applicability of fixed-term imprisonment versus detention.

He suggested sentencing them to detention.

This phase also went quite smoothly. Essentially, no unexpected issues arose.

Zhao Fugui and the others were very compliant, not speaking unless questioned by the Judgment Chief.

The second half of the defense...should be secure now.