Chapter 655: Chapter 246: Discussions in the Collegiate Panel, The Verdict is Out!_4

"What about the pumpkin sellers like Zhao Fugui then?"

Next, the group began discussing the sentences for the 65 pumpkin sellers.

Zhao Fugui and the others... most were the children or nephews of these seniors. As the defense attorney stated, they came from areas with many left-behind family members, and their circumstances were unique.

"The defense attorney has a valid point; many of them helped sell the pumpkins due to family ties."

"Although the crime itself is undeniable, it does indeed warrant a lighter sentence. I agree with a lenient punishment." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"But detention might be too light for them, especially considering the suspended sentences given to Zhao Dezhu and others."

"I believe that as guardians of the elderly, they not only failed to prevent the seniors from committing crimes but also colluded with them and assisted in selling the stolen goods, making their actions particularly egregious."

...

Following that, a divergence of opinions emerged among the seven members regarding the sentences for Zhao Fugui and his associates.

Some believed there were mitigating circumstances that warranted lighter punishment for Zhao Fugui and the others.

Others felt that since Zhao Fugui and his associates hadn’t dissuaded the seniors in their families from committing crimes and had even participated, they deserved harsher punishment.

For a time, the two sides failed to reach a consensus.

"Let’s vote."

The Judgment Chief looked at the other six members and slowly said, "I agree with the prosecutor’s sentencing recommendation."

The remaining six members also began to speak, sharing their individual opinions.

In the end, four maintained the original sentencing recommendation, while three believed a lighter sentence should be given.

「Jin City.」

「Inside the nursing home.」

After the court adjourned, the image on the projection screen paused. Zhang Qingyuan and the others looked away, a sudden boredom settling over them.

"There’s still half an hour left. This verdict is making me anxious. I wasn’t even this nervous when my wife was having our eighth child."

"I don’t think that Zhao Dezhu shows any remorse at all. Hopefully, the sentence will be heavy."

"No matter how heavy the sentence, it’s useless, isn’t it? Xiao Qin said they would be placed in a prison area for the elderly and disabled."

"Speaking of which, is that area for the elderly and disabled really similar to our nursing home?"

...

Everyone started chattering at once, launching into a discussion. They anxiously awaited the verdict, perhaps even more concerned than Zhao Dezhu and his group.

Finally, after half an hour, an image reappeared on the projection screen.

The Judgment Chief, along with the other members of the collegiate panel, re-entered the courtroom.

"All rise."

The Judgment Chief began to solemnly announce, "After a six-hour trial, the First Criminal Trial Court of Zizhou District Court has now ascertained the facts regarding the case of Zhao Dezhu and 113 other seniors suspected of theft, robbery, intentional destruction of property, and provoking trouble.

"There are no ambiguities in this case; the facts are clear. This court finds that Zhao Dezhu and the other 113 seniors repeatedly committed theft in Hu Wenning’s pumpkin patch. These actions have been verified and constitute a violation of Article... of the Criminal Law.

"Following the incident, Zhao Dezhu and the other 113 suspects showed no remorse and made no proactive apologies or reparations to Hu Wenning; instead, they harbored thoughts of revenge and continued to steal and destroy the pumpkins.

"Furthermore, after the grassroots law enforcement authorities issued administrative penalties, they have delayed compliance to this day, refusing to pay, thereby incurring cumulative overdue fines of 350 yuan.

"The descendants of suspects like Zhao Dezhu, knowing full well they were dealing with stolen goods, neither stopped nor dissuaded them; instead, they assisted in selling the pumpkins, which violates Article... of our country’s Criminal Law.

"This court hereby pronounces the following sentences according to the law:

Zhao Dezhu, for the crimes of theft, intentional destruction of property, and provoking trouble, is sentenced to five years of imprisonment, will be assessed a corresponding fine, and is ordered to pay the administrative fine within three days.

Zhao Tianquan, for the crimes of theft, intentional destruction of property, and provoking trouble, is sentenced to four years of imprisonment, will be assessed a corresponding fine, and is ordered to pay the administrative fine within three days.

Zhao Laoliu, for the crimes of theft, intentional destruction of property, and provoking trouble, is sentenced to three years of imprisonment, suspended for five years, will be assessed a corresponding fine, and is ordered to pay the administrative fine within three days.

Zhao Santian, for the crimes of theft, intentional destruction of property, and provoking trouble, is sentenced to three years of imprisonment, suspended for five years..."

In the courtroom, the solemn voice echoed continuously.

Apart from Zhao Dezhu and a few other ringleaders, the rest were given corresponding suspended sentences.