Chapter 311: Chapter 217: Second Trial Begins! The Defendant’s Counterattack!

Court is now in session!

The crowd perked up, and even Cheng Jia, who hadn’t slept all night, seemed more alert.

Liang Shan didn’t give anyone time to hesitate.

He directly spoke:

"Now, both the plaintiff and the defendant, state your reasonable demands!"

The first trial is the examination of the case.

The second trial can be seen as an examination of the first trial!

Therefore, their pace should follow the review after the first trial.

"Plaintiff, according to your appeal, you believe there are major and serious errors in this case, indicating that it is not a civil but a criminal case!"

"It was filed as a civil case because Zhao Hailong induced your client verbally before filing..."

Looking at the plaintiff’s seat, Liang Shan slowly read out the contents of the appeal.

"Ultimately, plaintiff Qi Tao intended to pursue criminal charges against the pickle plant, but it was filed as a civil workplace injury case!"

"Is the above statement true?"

Xu Liang didn’t answer, just quietly looked at Cheng Jia at the defendant’s seat.

Yang Ruoxi voiced the prepared statement.

"It’s true."

"We believe the first trial’s verdict should be overturned, and the case should be set as a criminal case, immediately pursuing the other party’s criminal liability!"

Liang Shan nodded.

He was not in a hurry to comment but looked at Cheng Jia at the defendant’s seat.

"Does the defendant have any statement regarding the plaintiff’s claims?"

Hearing this, Cheng Jia couldn’t sit still.

Zhao Hailong had lost his license and couldn’t even attend the trial; she was the only one who could step up.

Can she hold on?

Not sure.

But a cornered dog will jump over a wall, and a desperate rabbit will bite!

As long as there’s hope, Cheng Jia won’t sit idle, especially since she had ’won’ the first trial!

If the second trial upholds the first verdict, it means victory for her!!!

"Respected judge, based on open court information and the first trial results,"

"The plaintiff’s lawyer emphasizes three main doubts."

Cheng Jia’s eyes sharpened, filled with bloodshot veins, suddenly becoming sharp as she spoke loudly:

"First, the disability care center allegedly took Qi Yu, the victim, away illegally, violating relevant laws, suspected of subjective malicious conduct!"

"Second, the Jianghe Pickle Plant’s handling of Qi Yu, the victim."

"Third, that is...."

With these words, Cheng Jia’s entire aura transformed.

She seemed to shed the earlier defeated posture, regaining her composure.

As if a sharp sword unsheathed, exuding a chilling gleam!

"The deceased, Qi Yu, had numerous human-inflicted injuries!!!"

These three points were Xu Liang’s main evidence during the first trial.

They were also the main loopholes Cheng Jia and Zhao Hailong had been targeting for nearly a month!

"Firstly, regarding the disability care center, the apparent doubt lies in..."

As she spoke, Cheng Jia pulled the prepared materials from her briefcase.

She continued:

"These are two data sets regarding the disability care center."

"One is the main recipients of the agency; you can clearly see that from 2004 to April 2005, 99% of the recipients were from charity organizations, urban management, or welfare institutions."

"In total, there were only three individuals with family members throughout the year, and all three family members signed contracts without appearing."

"The second set is the educational level of the agency’s responsible person."

During her speech, the clerk took the two reports, checked them, and handed them to the judge’s table.

The three judges took the reports to examine them.

The first report was as Cheng Jia described; all the contracts over the past year were with disabled individuals.

Of course, the data was sanitized, but no issues could be detected on the surface!

The second report was about Zhang Yong. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Our client, the center’s director Zhang Yong, only has elementary-level education."

"He was completely unaware of the law and, having never required family signatures, allowed Qi Yu to sign a contract without family consent."

Cheng Jia calmly explained.

Hearing this.

Liang Shan paused for a moment.

The objective evidence was clear; the lack of legal awareness alongside past experiences fully explained Zhang Yong’s actions.

This was at most a negligent act and could not be construed as criminal homicide!

"As for the second point about the pickle plant and the third on human injuries...."

"I will address them together."

Cheng Jia paused and then said again:

"Firstly, the pickle plant wasn’t established for profit!"

"It was a welfare factory set up specifically for disabled people, in cooperation with official and institutional bodies!"

Some factories and jobs are not primarily for profit-making. Even if there’s a loss... as long as it’s not too big, the officials will support it!

For example, to boost employment rates, some unnecessary positions are created, which don’t seem needed at all, yet salaries are paid, resulting in outright losses.

Why do officials do this?

Because it keeps society functioning, at the very least, capital must flow!

So...

"This is an agreement signed ten years ago between welfare agencies, official bodies, and the pickle plant."

Cheng Jia pulled out a yellowed, old contract from her briefcase.

"It states clearly."

"The pickle plant provides work for disabled individuals to satisfy daily living needs while officials aid sales and provide monthly financial subsidies!"

In other words...

"The vast majority of workers at the pickle plant are disabled persons, and those with intellectual disabilities are countless!"

Cheng Jia’s logic was clear, and everyone understood.

This report was found by Zhao Hailong from a forgotten corner.

Originally it was to justify hiring disabled individuals.

But now... unexpectedly, it became compelling evidence in court, spanning a decade!

"And during the first trial, the opposing lawyer claimed that the management couldn’t differentiate between ordinary people and the deceased, suggesting willful murder."

"This point has no grounds, as most workers are disabled."

"And among them, due to Qi Yu’s personality, the supervisors underestimated his intellectual disability and mistakenly assigned him high-altitude work."

"This mistake eventually led to a tragedy!"

Cheng Jia continued, handing over more personnel information about the pickle plant.

Judge Liang Shan glanced at the data.

His eyes showed a hint of surprise.

According to the contract with the officials and the pickle plant workers, Cheng Jia was indeed correct!

The pickle plant mainly employed disabled personnel.

And ultimately, they aren’t fully capable individuals; due to management issues, workplace injuries were more likely to occur!

"As for the so-called human-inflicted injuries on the body..."

Cheng Jia paused, proposing her point of view.

"The reason still lies in the second point."

"The pickle plant required acidic substances for production, but because nearly all workers had cognitive impairments."

"The night before the incident, two workers mistakenly thought stronger acids have better cleaning capability and mistakenly purchased highly corrosive sulfuric acid!"

"Then, on the night of March 2nd, while Qi Yu was doing cleaning work, it caused corrosive scars on his forehead."

"On March 3rd, when Qi Yu was found dead, the owner, acting on her own, mishandled the body, and due to wrongful actions by disabled staff, caused the corpse secondary injuries..."

"Including but not limited to, facial, pelvic, and lumbar bones presenting so-called ’human-inflicted marks’!"

A clear and logical statement was made, accompanied by evidence submission.

Judge Liang Shan furrowed his brows deeper.

Sitting in his chair, he repeatedly reviewed the abundant information.

The explanation from the agency was perfect; such operational errors were entirely logical.

Regarding the pickle plant and the body...

It seemed clearly explained as well.

Moreover, Cheng Jia even presented records of the high-concentration acid purchase, along with the buyers!

The buyers were two individuals: one with moderate intellectual disability, the other a physically disabled worker.

Thus....

The two judges nodded.

"No problem."