As expected, the trial ended quickly. The Yongchuan Intermediate Court made a second-instance verdict on the case, sentencing the defendants Zhou Jun and Zeng Yixing to death, and the remaining persons involved were all commuted from their original fixed-term imprisonment to life imprisonment.
Although Guo Xiaofan is not a professional legal practitioner, as a journalist, he is required to be involved in all aspects of knowledge. In his opinion, even if he is charged with forced prostitution, two of the seven people involved will die. No time limit, which is also a rare heavy sentence. It seems that there is no such precedent in similar cases across the country.
Originally, Guo Xiaofan wanted to take this opportunity to interview Yan Xiaohui, but as soon as the trial ended, Yan Xiaohui was surrounded by crazy reporters. Guo Xiaofan could only hear her almost hysterical shouting: "I want to continue petitioning, I want to These seven beasts who tortured my daughter will all die"
It seemed that the only way to interview Yan Xiaohui was to find another opportunity. Guo Xiaofan shook his head and turned around and left the noisy court. Walking on the road, Guo Xiaofan suddenly remembered that he had a high school classmate named Wang Songlin who worked at the Provincial High Court. Wang Songlin University I went to the Central University of Political Science and Law, so I definitely know more about law than I do, so I should listen to the opinions of professionals.
Thinking of this, Guo Xiaofan quickly took out his mobile phone and called Wang Songlin. When he mentioned this case, Wang Songlin immediately responded: "I know this case. It is such a sensation. How can I not know about it? In fact, as soon as the first-instance judgment of Yongchuan Intermediate People's Court came out, All seven defendants were dissatisfied and filed an appeal. The appeal is supposed to be heard by our Provincial High Court. Therefore, our Provincial High Court has known the facts of this case for a long time, held a special meeting to discuss it, and issued internal materials. The sentence was too harsh"
"But this case is very difficult, and only fools would take it. It happened that the Yongchuan Intermediate People's Court made a stupid mistake during the first trial. Because the main criminal Zhou Jun's family environment was not good, the family did not hire a lawyer for him. According to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, for The defendant who may be sentenced to life imprisonment or death but has not appointed a defender should notify the legal aid agency to assign a lawyer to defend him. It is said that the presiding judge himself did not expect that Zhou Jun would sentence the death penalty, so he did not appoint a lawyer. You say it is funny or not. , So, after the defendant appealed, our Provincial High Court did not even hold a hearing, but directly sent the case back to Yongchuan Intermediate Court for retrial"
"Ah, there is such a thing." Guo Xiaofan did not expect that there would be such a ridiculous episode in the middle. He also had some legal knowledge, and he was puzzled and said: "As far as I know, unless there is a new crime, In fact, if the procuratorate supplements the prosecution, otherwise "the penalty will not be increased on appeal", this is the basic trial principle of the court. Why did the Yongchuan Intermediate Court of the second instance increase the penalty, changing it to two death sentences and five life imprisonment"
"Who says it's not the case? Even a layman like you knows it. How can those judges in Yongchuan Intermediate Court not know that?" Wang Songlin curled his lips disdainfully, then deliberately lowered his voice and said: "I'll tell you a secret. , I heard that Governor Zeng and Secretary Xu of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee have spoken about this case. The matter must be settled as soon as possible and Yan Xiaohui cannot make trouble again. That¡¯s why the Yongchuan Intermediate People¡¯s Court dismissed the Hulu case like this. Don¡¯t tell anyone. Ah, we can¡¯t even publish reports, otherwise we won¡¯t even be friends anymore¡±
"Isn't this a waste of human life? The judiciary is independent. How can the provincial leaders interfere with the court's judgment because of pressure to maintain stability?" Guo Xiaofan said in surprise and anger.
"Tch, judicial independence, is independence achieved? The provincial governor has spoken. Who dares not to listen? It's like the provincial leader asking your newspaper to publish a report that you think is completely wrong. Do you dare not to publish it? Forget it, let's just Don't be so careless about eating salty radish here. Who told us that our officials are too young? When will you, reporter Guo, become the provincial leader, then you can become Bao Qingtian, haha." Wang Songlin laughed.
After hanging up the phone, Guo Xiaofan's mood became heavier and heavier. Only then did he fully realize Duan Zetao's good intentions in asking him to investigate this case. He could not help but be impressed by Duan Zetao's keen insight and foresight, and decided to do it no matter what. To restore the truth of this case, we will live up to Duan Zetao's trust.
Guo Xiaofan finally got the chance to meet Yan Xiaohui alone. At this time, Yan Xiaohui was packing her bags. She was preparing to go to the capital to petition. Unlike when she first petitioned, she even had to worry about buying a ticket. Now that she has received so many donations, she doesn¡¯t have to worry about anything. , so she was going to take a plane to the capital. This was her first time flying. She felt an inexplicable excitement in her heart, and the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.
Seeing Guo Xiaofan come in, she immediately became alert and said with a straight face: "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?".
Guo Xiaofan showed her his press card and explained the purpose of his visit. When he heard that Guo Xiaofan was a reporter, Yan Xiaohui relaxed. She was here today because of the help of reporters. She quickly came over with a smile on her face. , asked Guo Xiaofan to sit down, and made arrangements to get apples for Guo Xiaofan.
"Sister Yan, please stop workingCome on, please sit down, I want to tell you the whole thing in detail, please tell me" Guo Xiaofan took out his voice recorder and interview book and greeted Yan Xiaohui.
Yan Xiaohui had told reporters about the incident so many times that she could recite it from memory. She immediately narrated it to Guo Xiaofan with great emotion. After this period of experience in petitioning, Yan Xiaohui had also developed it. The whole narration process was ups and downs. The ups and downs, sometimes sad and tearful, sometimes impassioned, are touching. If Guo Xiaofan hadn't already understood some of the situation before, he would have been completely moved by her.
After listening to Yan Xiaohui's story, Guo Xiaofan said calmly: "Sister Yan, your experience with Lulu is really pitiful, but I have a few questions that I would like to check with you. You know that news reports must ensure their authenticity. Yes, first of all, you said that Lulu was taken to a hotel room and raped by him as soon as she met Zhou Jun. The next day, Zhou Jun was going to take Lulu to "work" at Liuye Qing Leisure Center, but he happened to be raped by one of your friends on the way. Relatives met and took Lulu home. Later, Zhou Jun threatened Lulu, so Lulu ran away from home and was taken by Zhou Jun to "work" at Liuye Qing Leisure Center. In other words, Lulu stayed up all night that night. Not returned, right? But I read the police report record. You only called the police after you found out that Lulu ran away from home. Why didn¡¯t you call the police when Lulu didn¡¯t come home all night on the first night? Aren¡¯t you anxious? , Or is it that Lulu often stayed up at night before, and you didn¡¯t pay attention,".
A trace of panic clearly flashed in Yan Xiaohui's eyes, and he hesitated: "Well, this I remembered this incorrectly. Lulu went home that night. I had to do business and closed the stall late, so I didn't care ¡¡±.