Winning is everything: Conan

"Let the defense attorney present their opinion on the prosecution's request!"

The process remains the same. After the prosecutor reads the charges, the defendant must express their stance.

That is, whether the defendant admits to the crime, their opinion on the specific charge, and whether there is room for negotiation.

"I disagree with the prosecution's request. My client is absolutely innocent!"

Keisuke Kumiko stood up and spoke loudly.

As expected, the other party denied the crime!

Reiko Kujo frowned. Kumimon would definitely plead not guilty. She knew that guy well. When it came to criminal cases, there were only two options for him: innocent or innocent. Negotiation was never an option.

Fine, go ahead and use your dirty tricks. I'll show you how I can dismantle your attacks one by one!

Kujo Reiko thought to herself.

The next step was for both sides to start presenting evidence.

"These are emails, letters, and other communication records between the defendant and the victim during their relationship."

Reiko Kujo spread out a large sheet of paper and pinned them one by one onto the board in the center of the courtroom.

"We can see that in every letter the defendant sent to the victim, he wrote, 'Don't bother me again, or I'll kill you.' Based on the emotional entanglement between the defendant and the victim, we can conclude that the defendant had ample motive for murder."

The cause and effect of the case were actually quite simple.

The defendant and the deceased had been in a relationship for over ten years. However, every time the defendant proposed marriage, the deceased refused. Eventually, the defendant grew disappointed, went on a blind date, and decided to get married. The deceased was not satisfied and continued to harass the defendant in various ways, including threatening letters and phone calls. The defendant could no longer endure it, so he planned a murder during a university reunion.

The prosecution had already conducted a thorough investigation, gathering all the evidence.

There was a high probability of winning this case.

As long as Kumimon didn't cause trouble…

Yes, as long as that guy didn't cause trouble!

Reiko Kujo took a deep breath, stared at Keisuke, and struggled to ignore the physical discomfort her period was causing her, trying to regain her confident demeanor.

Keisuke Kumiko shrugged, still wearing an easygoing smile.

On the judge's side, three judges and six jurors reviewed the authenticity of the documents presented by Kujo Reiko and nodded one after another.

"What does the defense attorney think?"

"First of all, I disagree with the prosecution's evidence regarding the motive for murder. Or rather, this isn't evidence at all! If something like this can be considered a motive for murder, then there would be countless motives."

Keisuke Kumiko smiled.

He pulled out a dozen photos from the folder on the table and used a magnet to cover the letters and documents Kujo had presented.

"These are photos of the victim's boyfriends."

In the dozen photos, all the men were young, in their twenties, with various styles, including both Japanese and Korean.

"How is that possible?! How could Yumi have so many boyfriends?"

Nakamichi Kazushi, sitting in the defendant's seat, suddenly shouted.

Keisuke Kumiko glanced at him and said, "Nonsense. Otherwise, why do you think she kept stringing you along for over ten years without marrying you? Of course, she wanted to keep playing the field."

"Hmm…"

The bald man gritted his teeth and couldn't say a word.

However, no one in the courtroom cared about his thoughts.

Keisuke Kumiko continued pulling out stacks of documents, pointing at the people in the photos while he spoke.

"This is Yamada from Suzy's gigolo club. The deceased was threatened by Yamada through phone calls and letters because she owed his club hundreds of thousands. This is Ushima from Hashimoto Loan Company, and here are receipts from his shop. The deceased owed hundreds of thousands in high-interest loans and was forced to use her body to pay off the debt. This is Serizawa from Suzuki High School..."

As Keisuke listed them one by one, Kujo Reiko frowned slightly, but then her eyes lit up, and she stood up resolutely.

"Objection!"

"This involves the privacy of other people. Defense attorney, did you obtain consent from these individuals when you were investigating and collecting evidence? If not, this is illegal evidence collection! Also, how can you prove these aren't forgeries?"

That's right! This was the dirty trick Keisuke always used!

He had always loved obtaining evidence through illegal means and manipulating it, and this time was no exception.

Before coming here, Kujo Reiko had simulated this situation countless times in her mind. She had also thought of many ways to counter Kumiko's attacks.

As long as you find the weakness, you don't have to fear the opponent's attacks!

Kujo Reiko thought with confidence.

However, what Keisuke Kumiko said next shattered her thoughts.

"All this evidence is genuine. You can call to verify it. I obtained consent from these individuals in advance."

Kumiko winked at Kujo Reiko.

Reiko Kujo saw him repeat that infuriating, smug act of drinking hot water with that hateful, annoying smile on his face.

"..."

Kujo Reiko was so angry that her teeth itched, and she nearly ran up to punch him.

Don't lose your temper, don't lose your temper!

She tried to suppress the urge and clenched her fist.

However, she still doubted Keisuke Kumiko's actions, as they didn't align with his usual behavior.

Regardless, regarding the defendant's motive for murder, since the additional evidence presented by Keisuke Kumiko had weakened the validity of the prosecution's evidence, it couldn't be confirmed for now and had to be set aside.

Next, the prosecution would have to present additional evidence.

"I request the summoning of witnesses!"

Reiko Kujo requested from the judge.

Shortly after, four witnesses stepped onto the stand one by one.

They were Nakamichi Kazushi's university classmates, including a couple, a short and chubby man, and Kogoro Mouri.

"Kazushi, you still went through with an appeal?"

Kogoro Mouri looked at Nakamichi Kazushi with disappointment in his eyes.

Nakamichi was silent for a moment before saying, "Kogoro, do you really want me to go to prison?"

"I'm not asking you to go to prison. I'm asking you to atone for your sins in prison."

Kogoro Mouri shook his head.

"Is there any difference between the two?"

Nakamichi Kazushi looked him in the eyes. "Kogoro, do you know what it means for someone to go to prison?"

"Then what does it mean for someone to commit murder?"

Mouri Kogoro didn't back down and met his gaze.

"That woman did so much awful stuff outside—"

"Stop!"

Nakamichi Kazushi was about to say something, but at that moment, a sharp voice suddenly interrupted him.

It was Keisuke Kumiko who spoke, looking very serious.

"Do you think this is a sacred courtroom? The trial is still ongoing. If you want to talk about brotherhood, wait until after the trial."

The two men looked at each other and immediately fell silent.

"..."

Something is wrong!

Kujo Reiko frowned and stared at Kumiko's seemingly serious expression.

From the beginning, she had vaguely felt that something was off.

Although his attitude was still as infuriating, and he still provoked her with those actions…

His conduct in court seemed normal.

How to put it?

He was acting too much like a "normal lawyer."

What is he up to?

(End of this chapter)