Shadow Empire

Chapter 1144 It’s him!

When the police chief apologized to Lance, who wasn't even there, some people in the gallery laughed.

Clearly, these laughs were not benign; they were filled with sarcasm and mockery.

Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, this is the fairness of the federal justice system—it will not condone your wrong words or wrong deeds just because you are a police chief.

Once someone discovers that you've made a mistake and points it out, you have to pay the price for it.

But in the eyes of others, this is the effect of power.

Sometimes it's hard to say what the difference is between power and the law.

People might think that power only benefits a very small minority, while the law benefits the majority. So, can we interpret this as "the law is the power of ordinary people"?
Perhaps that's a valid understanding, but tragically, the power of ordinary people—that is, the law—is created by those who truly wield power.

The police chief also heard the laughter, and he felt a little embarrassed, but at this point, there was no point in going against the court.

In court, the Supreme Court justice sits there, and even if you know some of what he says is wrong or some of his decisions are incorrect, you cannot question him.

Questioning a judge is tantamount to questioning federal law. Problems can be resolved privately, but conflicts should not be escalated into the public eye.

"Please continue, Director."

The police chief opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

He thought for a moment, then continued, "We have intelligence that someone is planning to attack Mr. Lance White in New Gold City, so we plan to arrest the attackers when they do."

“These people are from the Perez family. They are incredibly powerful, and I dare not underestimate them.”

"The attack happened very suddenly and very quickly. I didn't have time to react. By the time I realized the attack had started, I called for backup, and then our police cars started moving. That's all."

“I assure you that I have the confidence to protect Mr. Lance White’s safety, which is why I made this choice.”

Attorney Robben shook his head and looked at the sheriff. "Is he telling the truth?"

The sheriff shook his head without hesitation and said, "He's not telling the truth. He told us to wait until the shootout... I mean, until the attack is almost over before we clean up the mess."

"Because he felt that it was acceptable for either the attacker or the attacked to suffer casualties, after all..." The sheriff didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood.

Letting two gangs fight it out and then cleaning up the mess is an unspoken rule followed by police in almost every region.

They won't proactively defuse the conflict; it would be extremely dangerous, and there's no point in doing so.

Saving the lives of a few gang members will only embolden them to commit more crimes in the future, but letting them lie there in peace will earn the gratitude of the entire city.

There are some things you can do but can't say. It's right not to say them, but it's wrong to say them.

Attorney Robben thanked the sheriff for his remarks, then looked at the police chief. "So from the beginning, you knew these people were going to attack my client, and because of your own subjective reasons, or for some other reason, you chose to let them attack my client in a metropolis like New Gold City."

"This is murder, Your Honor!"

The police chief's lawyer immediately stood up. "I object, Your Honor. There is no evidence to support this claim. The opposing lawyer must apologize to my client!"

He almost repeated what Robben had just said. The judge thought for a moment, but Robben then explained, "I have only given my conclusion according to my way of thinking. If you think it is a problem for me to state the result directly, then I can explain my thought process. I hope Your Honor can give me this opportunity."

The judge remained calm throughout. He glanced at the police chief and nodded. "You can do that, but if the outcome is different from what you said, then you need to apologize to this gentleman."

In fact, he himself knew that if the normal "procedure" were followed, there was nothing wrong with the police chief's actions. If the plaintiff were different, the objection might be valid, and the outcome would be different.

The mistake was that the police chief targeted the wrong person, not that he did something wrong. So the Supreme Court justices now agree with this view that it is a criminal act when the person attacked is a "privileged person".

Attorney Robben gave a slight bow to the Supreme Court to express his gratitude, then turned to the police chief and asked, "Chief, is there any... dispute between you and Mr. Lance White, perhaps related to work?"

"You say he's a gangster. Have you investigated any cases involving him and had any disputes with him?"

The police chief recalled that there were too many disputes, but he couldn't possibly say it aloud.

People had just accepted Robben's argument that he "allowed the attackers to attack innocent civilians," and if he were to admit now that he had a conflict with Lance, it would be a classic case of abusing his power for revenge. Even if he were stupid, he would know not to say anything at this point.

“I have no dispute with Mr. Lance.”

Attorney Robben then asked, "So, have you recently been involved in any investigations surrounding Mr. Lance White, for example, since you generally believe he is a gang leader, are you investigating criminal evidence against Mr. Lance White?"

This is another question that is impossible to answer because the implication is too clear. To put it simply, Robben's lawyer is now looking for a motive for "this was a premeditated murder".

One of the most crucial aspects of federal justice is the motive for the crime.

Even if a criminal is caught at the scene, but it doesn't mean he's actually killing someone, it just means he's found at the scene with blood on him, the blood of the deceased.

However, as long as he lacks the motive to kill the victim, and is given a reasonably competent lawyer, he has a high probability of being acquitted.

This kind of case has happened many times in the federal government. Every piece of known evidence points to a certain suspect, but they just can't find a motive for him to kill someone, and the case has to be dropped in the end.

Now, Robben's actions are aimed at finding this crucial element: what drove the police chief to stand by and watch all this happen without intervening? If one motive is established, then his motive for premeditated murder is also established.

He could only claim, "I did not participate in any investigation or operation involving Mr. Lance White. He is not frequently seen in New Gold City. Even if there is an investigation into him, it is the work of other departments and police in other areas, and it has nothing to do with me."

Attorney Robben nodded and continued, "So you don't have any financial dealings, such as him owing you money, or you owing him money?"

The police chief glanced at his defense lawyer, the lawyer who cooperated with the police department, but it was clear that the lawyer had not come up with a very good defense plan at this moment.

He could only continue to answer Robben's questions, "No, there is no financial relationship between Mr. Lance and me, and neither of us owes the other any money."

Attorney Robben nodded. "In other words, there is no possibility of conflict between you in any aspect, and neither of you intends to harm the other?"

After thinking about it carefully for a while, the police chief decided that this was not a trap. He nodded and said, "We have no conflict, and I don't want to hurt him."

Attorney Robben nodded. "Since there's no conflict between you, why would you do these things?"

"Knowing that my client, Mr. Lance White, was in danger, and that the police were already on the scene and ready to intervene and stop the attack before it even began, you chose to allow these attackers to calmly appear around my client and openly fire handguns, submachine guns, and even rifles in the street?"

"And, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, everyone was kept silent until the attack was over before any action was taken?"

"what are you waiting for?"

"Are you waiting for the outcome you want, for example, for my client, Mr. Lance White, to die in this attack?"

The police officer's lawyer stood up again. "I object, Your Honor. The opposing lawyer's questioning was clearly malicious and misleading; it triggered court rules..."

Robben turned to the Supreme Court Justice and said, “Your Honor, I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that was the first lesson I learned in college.”

“I believe that if we want to figure out whether the defendant has any issues in this case, we must find out his motives.” The judge reviewed both sides’ responses, nodded, and continued to support Robben’s lawyer, “Objection overruled.” Then he looked at the police chief, “You need to answer this question.”

This was blatant bias, and the police's lawyer sensed it too. However, Robben's lawyer's logic was sound; it was simply Robben's home turf.

It's generally very difficult to win a case on home soil, and as a lawyer, he understands this deeply. He's already considering talking to the bureau chief during the recess to see if it's necessary to go all out.

The police chief was also thinking about how to answer this question. If there was no conflict, dispute, or hatred, then why did he do this?

He was considering it himself, and of course he knew it was because Director Roland had told him to do it.

He stood silently in the dock, when his lawyer stood up and said, "Your Honor, my client is feeling unwell, and we need to adjourn the court for a short rest."

The judge looked at the police chief, who seemed perfectly fine, and asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"

The police chief nodded. "I'm feeling a bit dizzy. All these problems are making my head spin. I'm feeling unwell, and the enclosed space is making me feel scared. I can hardly breathe."

The Chief Justice whispered a few words to the people around him, "Then go get some fresh air. Ten-minute recess." He then struck the gavel, stood up, and left through the side door.

The police station's lawyer immediately went to the adjacent courtyard with the police chief, because the police chief was not yet a "criminal suspect," so he did not need to be locked in a room.

This temporary recess was expected by Robben's lawyer; he needed to give the two men a chance to think things over, and it was their last chance.

If the police chief still refuses to cooperate, he will produce some evidence of the police chief's misconduct, expose him, and then make him compromise through a behind-the-scenes deal.

For example, the house, car, and family expenses that even a police chief couldn't afford even if he worked for 500 years.

There are also cases he handled that clearly had their outcomes distorted due to the influence of power, and these could all land him in jail.

As a lawyer, Robben knew very well that the higher one's position in law enforcement, the more afraid they were of going to jail.

A junior police officer might be beaten every day while in jail, and life might not be easy, but it's also possible that they'll get along well with the criminals. It's hard to say, after all, they're on the front lines for a long time.

Although there are enemies, there are also friends.

But the higher-ups in law enforcement are different; almost everyone in jail has a grudge against them.

If he doesn't want to die, he'll know what to do.

Indeed, that was the case. In the garden, the chief's lawyer was speaking to him in a low voice, "Robben might use more evidence to exert pressure, and frankly, I'm not very confident I can handle him."

The police chief was smoking when he turned to look at the lawyer beside him. "Is this Robben very capable?"

The lawyer nodded. "He was a star student in college, and he's also very capable at work after graduation, winning many cases that we considered very difficult."

"If it weren't for some conflicts he had with people in the Department of Justice, his personal law firm might have become a well-known firm by now."

The director's first thought was to find Robben's arch-enemy within the Department of Justice, but he quickly dismissed the idea because there wasn't enough time.

Even if they find the person now, and the other party is willing to cooperate, it will be difficult to change the course and outcome of the trial.

Unless the Supreme Court Justice becomes ill and unable to continue the proceedings, he will continue to preside over the trial until it concludes.

The lawyer looked at the bureau chief, who was in a daze, and said softly, "My thought is that if this matter isn't too difficult, just find some excuse to shift the blame onto someone else, and don't let the responsibility fall on your own shoulders."

“According to Attorney Robben’s plan, I’m afraid I would have a hard time getting you even the most basic charge of dereliction of duty, since job-related crimes can lead to imprisonment.”

Upon hearing the word "jail," the police chief snapped out of his daze, pursed his lips, and said, "I'll consider it."

With only two minutes left before the court session was to resume, Robben's lawyer approached, and the chief's lawyer stood between him and the chief, saying, "You are not welcome here."

Attorney Robben smiled. "I just want to have a word with the director. You'd better not block my way."

As he spoke, he pushed the lawyer aside, and the bureau chief behind the lawyer did not object, which allowed the lawyer to walk to the side.

"What do you want to say?" the director asked.

Attorney Robben smiled. "I'm just here to remind you that the law is fair and requires evidence."

“Everything a person does leaves a trace, and these people often become careless because they have done things in the past without being punished.”

"Director, you need to think not only about yourself, but also about your family."

The bureau chief stared at him. "Is this your idea, or Lance's?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Lawyer Robben spread his hands, revealing an indifferent expression. "Think what you want. I'm just offering a friendly reminder that once you're in jail, after all these years as a bureau chief, you're bound to offend some people."

"I'm saying this for your own good. Don't let other people's problems cause you and your family to suffer. This has nothing to do with you, you know that!"

He took two steps back as he spoke, saying, "See you later, Director."

When the court reconvened, the bureau chief's mood had clearly changed. Under persistent questioning from lawyer Robben, he ultimately hesitated and said that his answer contained some important information and was not suitable for anyone to attend.

There are precedents for applying for recusal from the hearing, and such requests are permitted, but Robben's lawyer will not allow him to do so.

“My client, Mr. Lance White, once told me after a casual conversation—”

"Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of whether you are the president or a beggar. Everyone is an independent and equal individual, and we are all protected and bound by the law."

“Your Honor, I suggest that the defendant say what he wants to say right here, in front of everyone.”

While the Chief Justice was still thinking, a staff member handed him a note. He glanced at it twice, then looked up and said, "A very unique perspective, and I support it."

“Defendant, you can say it here.”

The police chief took a deep breath. He had already seen a dagger aimed at Roland, but he didn't know if that was all of it, all of them, or if it was just the tip of a sword.

“Yes… FBI Director Roland asked me to do this…”

In an instant, the previously noisy courtroom fell silent except for the sound of the cameras. Everyone stared in disbelief at the police chief in the dock. How did this case involve the FBI and its director?

Attorney Robben got what he wanted, and he was naturally the first to react. He walked to the defendant's seat, smiled at him, and asked, "Are you willing to take legal responsibility for what you said?"

Can you guarantee that every word you say is the truth?

Now that the bureau chief has made his choice, he naturally won't back down anymore. "I'm willing, and I can guarantee that every word I say is the truth!"

(End of this chapter)