Chương 63: Trial,
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Three weeks had quickly passed and it was the time for Daniella Sullen's court trial session, normally a trial would last weeks or even months but with the right evidence and power, everyone knew the trial was just for courtesy. To honor Daniella's pledge of innocence.
With the evidence they have, they just needed to corner Daniella until she had no choice but to show her true self. For the past three weeks, it was said she had been behaving well that it's impossible to believe she had committed murder.
All the evidence had already been presented to the judge and jury and they most likely already had decided for a suitable verdict. But they needed to give the defendant a chance to defend herself from the claims. With the image she was showing to people for the past weeks, it had been decided to give the case a trial.
Quickly, the courthouse was filled with people. All members of the Mo, Lopez, and Sullen family were there except Susan Sullen and Gabriel Sullen who's still remained hidden for his healing journey.
As they walked inside the courtroom, Daniel nervously held Laotian's arms as they settled themselves on their seats. He briefly glanced at his biological father, uncle, cousins and then to Daniella's delicate back before he drew back his eyes and focused them on the floor. It was not until Laotian whispered to him assurance that everything will be okay that he had slightly relaxed.
He had already been informed by the lawyer that he might be called up in front to say some things but Laotian assured him that he would not let that happen. He already had a plan to end the session quickly, calling Daniel up in front was just a possibility.
Laotian kissed Daniel's forehead. "Just don't look at her, you will be okay," Laotian said, Diane Lopez rubbed Daniel's arms and said the same. Daniel nodded and tried to distract himself from his surroundings. Thankfully, it didn't take long when the judge finally arrived and they started the trial.
"All rise. Department One of the Superior Court is now in session. Judge Adrian Henderson presiding. Please be seated..." The Bailiff started and everyone followed. The Judge then briefly viewed everyone before he said his piece signaling the official start of the trial.
He asked both sides if they're ready for the session before he asked the bailiff to swear to the jury. When all the formalities were done, the lawyer on the defender's side was called to hear his piece.
"Your Honor, ladies, and gentlemen of the jury: under the law, my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. During this trial, you will come to know the truth: That Daniella Sullen was just acting on by self-defense. Daniela Sullen had known the dangerous man and that time her life was threatened. The video alone could not prove her crime."
"For the past weeks, my client had shown no signs of aggressive behavior. As a woman as delicate as her, luring the man who threatened her unguarded, was her only way to gain an upper hand. Ms. Daniella Sullen had no ill intention, she was acting in self-defense."
"Therefore, my client is not guilty of murder... but of self-defense," he stated. Silent gasped was heard from the members of the Mo and Lopez family but they remained calmed and decided to see through the end. The Judge listened word for word, he then later acknowledges and soon called for the prosecutor for his defenses.
"Your Honor, I would like to call in Ms. Daniella Sullen for questioning." He started after he stood up. The Judge quickly permitted and soon Daniella was called in front.
As Daniell was swearing and later finished, her appearance looked so miserable and wronged. Her act was very effective and that it quickly caught the jury's sympathy. Possibilities were endless, some were thinking maybe Daniella was truly wronged. Although they have seen the video, it could become an act of self-defense.
The video did not consist of audio recording and so they didn't know what was being discussed between Daniella Sullen and Rafael Alonso, a Mexican ex-convict of multiple homicides and illegal possession of drugs and firearms.
From the man's background, Daniella could really have done it for self-defense. A possibility of Mr. Mo Laotian setting up everything to pin her down is also viable.
Mo Laotian's formidable identity was not a secret to all, it was highly possible he manipulated everything. It is also no secret that he dotes on his wife, if Daniella Sullen had bullied Daniel Sullen, then the Alpha will most likely have that as his motive. A plotted revenge.
"Ms. Daniella Sullen, do you or do you not know Mr. Rafael Alonso personally?" The prosecutor started. Daniella looked at him like a scared little bunny, her eyes were damp with tears as she slowly nodded.
"Y-Yes, I-I know him," Daniella muttered sounding miserable. The crowned nodded in approval knowing that she was telling the truth.
"Apologies Your Honor, no ill intention intended." The prosecutor excused indicating that his next question might be offending.
"Proceed."
"Thank you, Your Honor." he nodded then faced Daniella again, "With the evidence presented to the court, it was clear that Ms. Daniella and Mr. Rafael was... having an affair. In the video, during the sexual intercourse, Ms. Daniella had stabbed Mr. Rafael five times after the initial stab that killed him. Can please Ms. Daniella elaborate on how that situation had become self-defense?"
"Ms. Daniella said she had known Mr. Rafael personally, I believe you would know that he's a dangerous man. What was the reason Ms. Daniella decided to meet him in a deserted motel in the middle of the night?"
"Since the video did not include audio recording, can Ms. Daniella enumerate what exactly happened?" The prosecutor asked monotonously, Daniella's lawyer had complained about having too many questions but the Judged dismissed him and urged Daniella to answer.
"I-I d-don't know. I-I forgot. I really don't know. I just know I came to meet him since he had been pestering me. W-When I came to meet him, he threatened to kill me if I...if I didn't have sex with him. He also said he would kill Paul, I panicked and lost my mind..." Daniel explained messily.
She thought as long as she could keep this act, she could drag her case longer. She would never let Daniel win. When she caught the Jury's sympathy, she will then have a lighter verdict. And soon she can file a medical excuse.
"Does Ms. Daniella swears she's telling the truth and nothing but the truth?" The prosecutor asked again as if taunting. The second Daniella replied that she was telling the truth, the prosecutor's lips turn into a smile.
"Your Honor, I can bring in another piece of evidence into the courtroom?"
"Okay, you are granted." The Judge agreed and the prosecutor quickly walked towards his briefcase and fished out a small recording device.
"Ms. Daniella swore she was telling the truth." He said as she then now walked towards the projector already set at the side. He opened a file on the computer and popped on the white sheet was a projection of a paused video.
"This may be a bit inappropriate but, Your Honor, Ladies, and Gentlemen of the Jury, please let me prove Ms. Daniella Sullen's lies." He added. The second he started the video he also pressed on to the recording device. What came out next was bulging eyes of disbelief from the crowd.
When the video and audio recording device had ended, the crowd had turned into whispers. Disappointment and disgust were visible on their faces as they scrutinize Daniella Sullen.
"In this audio recording, the video had now made sense. Ms. Daniella Sullen had come to meet Mr. Rafael Alonso to reward him for his prize. The prize for attempting to murder Mr. Daniel Sullen during his honeymoon in Hawaii almost 4 months ago. He succeeded in taking Mr. Daniel Sullen's daughter and so Ms. Daniella was planning to give half of what they've agreed."
"But Mr. Rafael had refused the money and asked for her body instead."
"Ms. Daniella refused and Mr. Rafael threatened her to exposed her crimes 3 years ago for asking him to arrange Mr. Daniel Sullen's kidnapped and attempted r a p e."
"Ms. Daniella Sullen felt threatened and so she murdered Mr. Rafael Alonso and burned the motel." The prosecutor finished and loud gasped once again erupted in the crowd."
Daniel, hearing the prosecutor's words made him remember the times he had endured his twin sister's schemes and he slightly trembled. Laotian felt this and he quickly hugged him.
The crowd had become louder and so the Judge was about to silence them but before he could do that, everyone slowly become silent as they heard Daniella's laughs.
Everyone was confused and thought she was crazy, Daniella continued to laugh until finally she stopped and glared at Daniel's direction. All her act earlier dissipated. Since she can't lie now, might as well say what she wanted to say.
"So what!? You're just an Omega! How dare you come into my family and decided to ride in my family's fame and fortune. Just imagining you with me in my mother's womb disgusts me to hell. All of you Omegas should just be burned. Of course, your bastard baby will burn to hell. hahaha"
"You're lower than me but you had the guts to seduced the man I want!! I don't regret what I did! My only regret was not killing you with my own hands. That way it would be a success. That way Mr. Mo would finally look my way!!!" Daniella yelled and the crowd was further displeased by her words especially the Judge who also had an Omega as a wife and a beautiful Omega as a daughter."
Of course, among the Jury as well were Omegas or some of them married or birth to an Omega. If it was 60 years ago where Omegas were strongly discriminated against among the public, Daniella would have gained a few supporters. But nowadays, there are Omegas left and right. Because suppressant was invented, Omegas can now also associate in the public without worrying about heat.
Omegas are slowly climbing at the top of the ladder and it is not good to leisurely say such words towards them. There are Government laws that are now protecting them, it was not wise for Daniella to say something against Omegas.
It is the age where every person is striving for equal rights. Omegas are now treated equally.
"Omegas are all animals!!! You don't deserve to live!!! You disgust me!! You all disgust me!!!" Daniella continued to yell and finally, the Judge had enough. George Sullen who listened to his daughter yelling so humiliated. He wished he never should have gone and went to support her.
While Gared Sullen and his sons remained unfazed and most likely expecting something like this would happen. They only really just came to see something interesting, they didn't care what would happen to Daniella. Besides, it is Mo Laotian they were up against. It is impossible to win.
"Bailiff, take Ms. Daniella Sullen into custody where she will be charged for the murder of Rafael Alonso, attempted murder, a mastermind for kidnapping and attempted r a p e of Mr. Daniel Sullen, Mo."
"In the matter of the state versus Daniella Sullen, this case is closed." The Judge's voice rang across the room and quickly Daniel's side felt relieved. Twenty-minutes had not passed yet and the case was already closed. There was no doubt this news will once again shock the country.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
lesson101
lesson101 I would like to apologize if you find absurd mistakes in this chapter than the usual grammatical error. I am not good at writing court trials nor interested on it.
If you find something wrong, please don't hesitate to comment it down below. Thank you.
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