10:00 AM.

Everyone had already entered the court.

The recorder stood up.

All the viewers in the live broadcast room were somewhat excited.

At this time, the live broadcast had exceeded ten thousand viewers!

The level of attention could be said to be quite high!

The trial was about to begin!

The recorder spoke: "Now everyone stand up!"

Everyone in the courtroom stood up.

The recorder spoke: "Please welcome the presiding judge and judges to take their seats."

Under the gaze of everyone, Presiding Judge Wang Zhong, and Judges Dingxiangling, Qian Xuejun, and He Yushu entered the courtroom.

Presiding Judge Wang Zhong looked at everyone and struck the gavel, "Please be seated."

At this time, the recorder spoke: "Now announcing the court rules!"

"Participants in the proceedings should abide by court rules and must not make noise or cause disturbances. Speaking, statements, and debates must be approved by the presiding judge."

"Observers must adhere to the following rules:

1. Recording, videotaping, photographing, or using mobile communication tools to transmit court activities is prohibited.

2. Random movement and entering the trial area is prohibited.

3. Speaking and questioning are prohibited.

4. Applauding, making noise, and engaging in other behavior that disrupts court proceedings are prohibited.

...."

The recorder looked at the presiding judge, "Report to the presiding judge, the plaintiff Rui Mao Bank and the defendant Zhao Yishan have both been verified, and the court is ready to proceed, we can begin the trial now."

Presiding Judge Wang Zhong: "Now I announce that this case is officially in session!"

Presiding Judge Wang Zhong: "The original defendant, Zhao Yishan, is appealing to this court against the Jiangcheng City Intermediate Court's judgment number 234. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure and relevant laws, we will conduct an open hearing of this case. I now announce that this case is officially in session!"

"Now, please have the defendant state the facts and the grounds for the appeal."

The court session had begun.

At Fangda Law Firm.

Gao Yong, Young Master Xue, and Director Xue Yaoting were all watching the case.

Gao Yong and Young Master Xue happened to be free today to watch the live broadcast.

Gao Yong already knew Gu Chen's level of handling cases, and he was also familiar with this case.

Gao Yong knew that this case was quite difficult, especially with all the evidence being conclusive.

No matter what, they had to sentence Zhao Yishan, as he indeed broke the law.

But how to defend?

Even as a top lawyer, Gao Yong felt at a loss with this case.

If he were to defend it, he couldn't find a good angle other than possibly reducing Zhao's sentence.

Young Master Xue said, "This case is very complex. Gu Chen should only try to help Zhao Yishan get a reduced sentence, as he is an accomplice in the crime. It's estimated that Zhao will be sentenced to at least seven years."

Gao Yong nodded, "I think so too. If Zhao Yishan is sentenced to seven years, it's still quite a blow. Initially sentenced to fifteen years, getting it reduced to seven years would already be a success."

Young Master Xue: "With Gu Chen's skills, this case might indeed get the sentence reduced to seven years. The nature of robbing a bank is severe, and there's no way around it. The minimum is seven years; no matter who defends, it would only be reduced to seven years at most."

As the two chatted, Xue Yaoting took a sip of tea and slowly placed the teacup on the table.

Xue Yaoting said, "Last night, I spoke with my granddaughter."

Gao Yong and Young Master Xue immediately looked at Xue Yaoting.

Xue Yaoting slowly spoke, "My granddaughter said that Gu Chen wants to plead not guilty for Zhao Yishan in this case."

Young Master Xue: "???"

Gao Yong: "????"

Not guilty?

How is that possible?

Zhao Yishan is an accomplice to the robbers!

Even if Zhao didn't personally rob, being an accomplice is still a crime!

Regardless if Zhao Yishan was trying to pay for his father's medical treatment or any other reason, he's equivalent to an accomplice to the robbers!

Stealing bank assets and transferring them!

Young Master Xue said, "A not-guilty plea? How is that possible?"

Young Master Xue analyzed the case and said, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! What lawyer can plead not guilty? If Gu Chen manages a not-guilty plea in this case, it would be unreal, and even I need to learn from him. It would be too exaggerated."

Gao Yong added, "I also think a not-guilty plea is unlikely."

The netizens in the live broadcast room also flooded the screen with comments.

[This case seems very hard to win.]

[The opponent is Rui Mao Bank, and their legal department is really strong.]

[Can Lawyer Gu handle it?]

[This case is probably not going anywhere; they can only help reduce Zhao Yishan's sentence. Just see how much it can be reduced.]

[I feel even reducing the sentence is tough... Zhao Yishan is an accomplice in the robbery. Even if he didn't rob himself, being an accomplice is still a crime, right?]

[Zhao Yishan is at the end of his rope, having no choice but to hire Gu Chen because Lawyer Gu's reputation has grown recently... Their family must have spent a lot to get help with the case.]

[So... not even the Lawless Madman can help? Then why did Gu Chen take this case? Is it for the money?]

[When a lawyer takes a case, it's impossible not to do it for money. No one can handle this case, not even the Lawless Madman. You have to talk about the law. Did Zhao Yishan break the law or not?]

[He definitely broke the law... Lawyer Gu likely has no solution either. Zhao's family likely paid a high price to get Gu to handle it, but the outcome will be the same, only reduced sentencing; there's no way around it. I just asked my friend who is a lawyer, he said Zhao's sentence starts at fifteen years, and a fifteen-year sentence is already lenient.]

....

Rui Mao Bank.

Bank President Wang Rui sat in his office watching the live broadcast.

Legal Department Head Zhang Hongxiang was also in the office.

Wang Rui, with a serious expression, said, "I didn't expect so many netizens to watch this trial; the live broadcast viewers have now surpassed a hundred thousand. Zhang Hongxiang, we must win this case, as we are the ones who were victimized."

Zhang Hongxiang, confident and smiling, responded, "Rest assured, President, I don't see any way this case loses; Zhao Yishan is the robber, and our bank was the victim. There's nothing wrong with us, not only do we have to win, but we need to get Zhao sentenced for a longer period."

Rui Mao Bank is still a larger bank, and the entire network was focused on this case.

If they lose, the public opinion on Rui Mao Bank would be unimaginable.

The attention on this case was enormous, and the live broadcast's comments section was covered with remarks, with at least hundreds of thousands of viewers.

Presiding Judge Wang Zhong said, "Now, please have the plaintiff state the facts and the reasons for the appeal."

Gu Chen spoke at this time.

Gu Chen said, "Let me narrate once again what happened on the day of the bank robbery according to my client."

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