Case NOT Closed - Chapter 36: The Real Culprit Who Let the Killer Escape
The final verdict was self-evident.
After a brief exchange between the judge and the jury, the verdict was clear: due to insufficient evidence, the defendant was acquitted. The prosecution would file charges for insulting a corpse later.
As for the so-called truth that Kensuke mentioned, whether it was true or false, whether it made sense or not, didn’t really matter.
In the courtroom, there was no absolute truth; there was only the presence or absence of evidence, the ability to convict or not.
“You damn bastard!”
Immediately after the judge announced the end of the trial, as everyone was leaving, Kogoro rushed forward, grabbing Kensuke by the collar.
“Kazuhi— Kazuhi— he killed someone! How can you defend a murderer? How can you let him go free?”
Kogoro was almost losing control, shouting loudly at Kensuke.
“Mouri-san, just so you know, this suit is expensive. If you damage it, I’ll be sending you the bill.”
Facing the opponent’s rage, Kensuke remained fearless, calm, and even wore a calm smile on his face.
“You–”
Seeing Kensuke’s expression, Kogoro Mouri was so angry that smoke seemed to come out of his seven orifices. With a slight force in his hand, he was about to use Judo to give Kensuke a rocking cradle.
But at this moment, a clear voice came from the side.
“Stop it right now!”
Turning his head, Kogoro saw a woman of similar age to Kujo Reiko, standing behind and urgently stopping him.
The woman had a beautiful face, long chestnut hair tied into a bun at the back, and she was wearing a light blue lawyer’s uniform with a lawyer’s badge on her chest, exuding an intelligent aura.
It was Kisaki Eri, known as Japan’s unbeaten queen of the legal world and, at the same time, Kogoro’s long-standing wife.
“But, Eri, this guy…”
Hearing his wife’s reprimand, Kogoro Mouri still looked somewhat hesitant.
Eri glared at him. “You idiot! If you don’t let go, he could accuse you of causing trouble! There are surveillance cameras in the courthouse, and so many witnesses. He would make sure you leave with a fine!”
“…”
Only then did Kogoro Mouri realize it and quickly released his grip.
“Ah, what a pity. Just one step away, and I could have sued him for compensation.”
Kensuke raised an eyebrow and even shook his head, as if he genuinely regretted something. This expression and tone almost infuriated Kogoro, who gritted his teeth but found himself helpless against it.
“I presume this is the famous lawyer Kisaki Eri?” Kensuke adjusted his shirt, smiling as he looked at the intelligent woman before him.
“Correct, it’s me,” Kisaki Eri replied expressionlessly. “I heard there’s a new rising star in the legal world, so I came over out of curiosity.”
“What? You didn’t come for Dad…”
Beside Kisaki Eri, her daughter, Ran Mouri, muttered under her breath.
“Who would come all the way for this playboy?”
Kisaki Eri said loudly, her gaze wandering. “I just happened to be interested..”
“I’m the same. Who cares about a woman like you–”
“Hey, hey, I have something important to do here. Could you two avoid acting out an old-fashioned romantic comedy here?”
Kogoro Mouri’s words were interrupted sharply by Kensuke.
Kensuke sighed, “If there’s nothing else, please step aside. Don’t block the way here, okay?”
The two exchanged glances, and Kisaki Eri cleared her throat with a serious expression.
“Lawyer Kensuke, even though I don’t want to say much about you, the purpose of the law is to give the appropriate punishment within the scope of the truth! Abandoning the truth, defending the real culprit, this behavior goes against the professional ethics of a lawyer!”
“Well said, very classy!”
After listening, Kensuke immediately raised his thumb, exaggeratingly applauding.
“Truly the first female lawyer in Japan, you’ve really broadened my horizons. Admirable, admirable!”
Eri frowned slightly at Kensuke’s tone.
In all honesty, Kisaki Eri, with her years of experience in the legal profession, disliked opponents like Kensuke the most. This type of indirect and sarcastic language was the most challenging to deal with.
As expected, in the next moment, Kensuke changed his tone.
“May I ask, Lawyer Kisaki, does your so-called professional ethics mean abandoning your client, who once trusted you, the moment you learn the facts of the case and turning to the arms of the prosecution?”
Kensuke smiled and made an admiring gesture.
“Ah, if that’s the case, then from today onwards, I’ll start learning from you how to properly backstab those who put their trust on me, upholding the professional ethics of us lawyers!”
Kisaki Eri’s face turned unpleasant, her eyebrows furrowing tighter.
She realized that Kensuke was mocking her for the trial a few days ago. In that case, the real culprit was the client, something she discovered later. At that time, she joined forces with the prosecution, and together they pressured the client, leading to a self-exposure in court due to Kogoro’s reasoning (refer to the animated episode “Courtroom Confrontation III: Prosecutor as Eyewitness”).
Eri took a deep breath. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, but a lawyer must adhere to facts, follow the law as a standard, practice strictly according to the law, and abide by social morality! That’s the professional ethics of a lawyer!”
“That’s right! At least, we shouldn’t let the real culprit go free!”
Kogoro Mouri chimed in.
He looked serious, glancing at the defendant’s seat where Nakamichi Kazushi, now acquitted, hadn’t left yet.
The two locked eyes, and Kazushi lowered his head.
He had tried to convince Kogoro several times that he was not the murderer. Although he wasn’t guilty of the crime, being acquitted this way made it difficult for him to hold his head up high.
“Nakamichi-san, you’re innocent. Please raise your head with dignity.”
Kensuke’s voice came from the side.
He then glanced at the couple in front of him.
“Let the real culprit go free? Why are you so sure that Nakamichi-san is the culprit? Just based on your insignificant and self-righteous reasoning?”
“What did you say!”
Kogoro clenched his fists, ready to charge again.
“Your defense for criminals, letting them escape, how is it any different from the murderer!”
“No, no, no, please understand. Regardless of the truth, I have always been in a legitimate defense.”
Kensuke stepped back, avoiding Kogoro Mouri’s fist.
Then, he approached Kogoro with a sly smile and whispered something that only the two of them could hear.
“No matter whether the suspect is guilty or not, in this trial, the real culprit who made the suspect run away, isn’t it you? Dear great detective, Kogoro Mouri-san.”
“…”
“…”
Kensuke’s words always hit like a needle, effortlessly piercing people’s weaknesses.
Kogoro Mouri was momentarily speechless.
On the side, Kisaki Eri remained silent.
Indeed, Kensuke didn’t use any improper means. Throughout this trial, he consistently employed legal concepts for a legitimate defense.
Originally, the suspect wouldn’t have been acquitted so easily. Even with weak evidence like the gun, it could have bought some time for further investigation. However, because Kogoro and Conan didn’t secure the crime scene properly after finding the body and instead tampered with it, the integrity of the scene was completely destroyed.
By the time the police arrived to collect evidence, anything that could have been useful was already gone.
The opposing lawyer didn’t need to do anything extraordinary. He just did what was expected.
“Is everything my fault?”
Kogoro Mouri mumbled in a daze, a sense of self-blame creeping in.