Winning is everything: Conan

"Damn bastard…"

On the plaintiff's side, Ryusu Masami gritted his teeth.

He wasn't stupid—he knew Keisuke Kumiko's trick because he had used it himself during his internship simulation.

But the prosecution had no countermeasure.

This was a loophole in the judicial system. Jurors were replaced in every trial and had no experience in litigation, making them easily deceived.

—"Silence!"

The judge struck the gavel, and the noise in the courtroom suddenly subsided.

"The defendant and his agent plead not guilty. Let's begin examining the evidence!"

The first step was investigating the cause of death. Ryusu Masami inserted a stack of photographs into the projector and displayed them on the giant screen in front of the court.

One after another, images of Maehara Tsuyoshi's death appeared from different angles, like an assembly line.

These were photos taken by the Forensic Science Division of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, one of the nine divisions of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The tragic scene of Maehara's death was visible. His head hung at an exaggerated angle, his neck completely broken, and his eyes stared forward in horror. Beside him was a German Shepherd, grinning.

"The cause of death was asphyxiation due to a neck injury," Ryusu Masami pointed from a distance. "Judging from the marks at the scene and the victim's expression, it was this German Shepherd that leaped and bit the victim from the second floor. The victim panicked, and his neck struck the staircase landing's revolving platform, causing injury and death."

"Objection!"

Keisuke Kumiko spoke up at that moment.

"The prosecution claims that Maehara Tsuyoshi died because he was attacked by this dog. I believe the word 'attack' is inappropriate!"

The judges exchanged glances, unsure of the distinction.

Kumiko slowly stepped out of his seat, walked to the large screen, and pointed his finger at Maehara Tsuyoshi's body up close.

"Everyone can see Maehara Tsuyoshi's corpse. Apart from the corresponding injuries on the neck, the rest of the body is as clean as if he had just taken a shower. Even his clothes show no signs of being torn!"

At the same time, he took a copy of the forensic report from his prepared materials and handed it to the judge and jury for review.

The forensic report confirmed that only the neck injury was described, with no mention of any abnormalities elsewhere on the body.

Keisuke continued, "Although the deceased was attacked by a dog, it only pounced on him—it didn't bite. How can there be a so-called 'attack and bite'?"

The judge turned his head to look at the jurors on both sides.

"The jurors may express their opinions."

Though they didn't fully understand Kumiko's reasoning, the jurors nodded in acknowledgment.

The judge then struck the gavel.

"The defendant's agent's statement is valid. Prosecutors, please respond!"

"…"

On the prosecution's side, Ryusu Masami frowned at the defendant.

If the defendant wanted to plead innocence, under normal logic, the defense attorney should refute the prosecution's claim that "the deceased was attacked by a dog." After all, just looking at the photo, the connection between the deceased and the dog wasn't overly strong.

But Ryusu Masami didn't do that. Instead, he only emphasized that the dog's attack method was incorrect.

What the hell is this guy doing?

Seeing the slight curve of Keisuke Kumiko's lips, Ryusu Masami felt uneasy.

Suppressing his irritation, the judge nodded. "No objection."

The judge nodded again. "Then let's proceed with the testimony!"

Shortly after, the only eyewitness at the scene, Sanae Sugita, took the witness stand.

"…After receiving a call from Mr. Sakaguchi, Maehara went upstairs and put his phone on speaker so the big dog crouching on the second floor could hear. I was eating pizza at the time, and soon I heard a scream and saw Maehara being pounced on from the second floor to the stairs by the dog. Then Maehara died just like that."

Sugita Sanae's testimony was almost the same as when she had met Kumiko.

The judge and jurors nodded as they listened.

Based on the witness's description, they could at least confirm that the victim's cause of death was indeed being pushed down the stairs by a dog.

"Then the matter is very clear," Ryusu Masami said, standing up. He added, "The defendant instructed the dog by phone, ordering it to attack and kill the victim. This is sufficient direct evidence!"

After saying that, he looked provocatively at Keisuke Kumiko.

He had deliberately exaggerated—this could only be considered indirect evidence. After all, the witness hadn't explicitly stated that she heard instructions.

To seek justice and prevent a murderer from walking free, prosecutors often used exaggerated wording.

According to Ryusu Masami's expectations, the defense attorney would definitely challenge the directness of the evidence.

However, what Keisuke Kumiko said next surprised him again.

—"This is indeed direct evidence. I agree with the prosecution on this point!"

What the hell is going on…?

Ryusu Masami muttered. Not wanting to lose composure against the opposing side, he feigned calmness and spoke loudly, "Then does the defendant's agent admit to the eyewitness testimony of Sugita Sanae?"

—"Well, I have no objections to it."

—"Then, the truth of the case is confirmed—"

—"But I have a question!"

Before Ryusu Masami could finish speaking, Keisuke Kumiko interrupted him.

He turned toward the witness stand with a smile.

"Since everyone agrees this is direct evidence, Miss Sugita, you must have heard the voice from the other end of the phone, right? From then until Maehara was thrown down the stairs, what was the dog's and Maehara's state and situation? Please explain in detail!"

Sugita Sanae, the college student, looked around.

At that moment, she stood in that spacious courtroom.

Countless eyes were on her. In the audience seats below, reporters scribbled with pens and paper, confirming the text for the next day's news reports.

She was like a white swan performing on stage, drawing the attention of everyone.

Sugita Sanae closed her eyes, then opened them again.

—"Yes, I heard the voice from the other end of the phone!" Sugita Sanae affirmed. "He said good night to his beloved dog, the dog barked twice, and Maehara Tsuyoshi patted its head. The scene looked very harmonious!"

Ryusu Masami abruptly stood up.

—"This is different from the testimony you gave to the police! You clearly said you didn't remember what was said on the phone!"

He shouted, staring at Keisuke.

No wonder this guy was so calm! Turns out the witness had turned against them!

—"That's because Maehara Tsuyoshi is my ex-boyfriend, and I spoke nonsense out of anger!" Sugita Sanae declared. "Mr. Sakaguchi is a very good person. He often helped Tsuyoshi and provided assistance to those in despair. How could such a person commit murder?"

"The courtroom is a place of fairness and justice. We cannot accuse a good person based on mere speculation—otherwise, is there justice in this world?!"

"That's why I stood up despite everything! Because I know my testimony can clear an innocent person's name! Even though ordinary people like me may not be able to do much, righting the injustice of an innocent person is the most basic duty of a common citizen—this is the meaning of our existence!"

Sugita Sanae spoke passionately, her tone full of emotion.

Some in the audience were moved, and some even started applauding.

Bathed in the admiration of countless eyes, Sugita Sanae closed her eyes in ecstasy, reveling in the feeling of being admired by thousands.

Among the audience, Conan pushed up his glasses and let out a long sigh.

This witness had actually changed her testimony.

—(End of Chapter)