Case NOT Closed - Chapter 60: An Expert At Manipulating People Heart

There are two types of strategies.

One is covert, the other overt.

In judicial proceedings, many lawyers who are paid for their services usually adopt the former.

For example, the tactics Kensuke previously used, such as inducing changes in evidence to disrupt the original logical chain.

Or exploiting legal loopholes to reduce the culpability of the suspect or render them unconvictable.

However, there is also the latter strategy.

Without breaking any rules, relying solely on existing conditions, not changing any factors, and leveraging circumstances openly to achieve a desired outcome.

This is the overt strategy.

Kensuke used this very tactic.

He leveraged Koshimizu’s advantage as a woman, having her act pitifully to garner sympathy and thus improve the judge and jury’s favorable impression of her. And from the reactions of the onlooker, she seemed to have a significant talent for acting.

Japan is a country that places great importance on women’s rights.

In the subway, if a woman accuses someone of being a “groper,” the accused often prefers to escalate the situation into a fight, simply because the consequences of sexual harassment are more severe than those of a physical altercation.

In such a country swayed by women’s rights, how will this judicial trial unfold?

“Hate is truly a double-edged sword! Because her childhood friend was wrongfully killed, my client, driven by a moment of impulse and a mind filled with hatred, committed an irreversible act. It’s truly lamentable…”

Here, Kensuke pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes, maintaining a deeply sorrowful demeanor.

Of course, all his expressions and tone were feigned.

If Natsuki could score a 9 out of 10 in acting, Kensuke would score a 9.9.

Kensuke had maxed out his ‘Lying’ skill.

“I believe that if Heaven gave her another chance, she would never make such a foolish mistake again. I trust she has truly repented!”

Kensuke sighed as he spoke, subtly winking at Conan in the special witness stand.

Conan’s emotions were palpable.

Faced with such provocation, his face was livid, his eyes nearly shooting flames as he glared fiercely at Kensuke.

‘Damn it, this guy, this bastard…’

Conan cursed silently.

He saw right through Kensuke’s tactics.

By leveraging the fact that his client was a woman and first admitting to her guilt, Kensuke was using her “remorseful” attitude to gain an advantage. Conan suspected that Kensuke would soon reverse the situation by questioning the evidence’s validity, leading the judge to quickly rule in favor of the defendant without any deliberation or trial delays.

Step by step, with his intellect that is superior to even Kensuke, Conan had already deduced the upcoming court proceedings.

Kensuke’s strategy was indeed insidious and meticulously planned.

However, despite knowing this, Conan felt powerless.

Kensuke hadn’t used any illegal means or engaged in sophistry; he was merely “stating the facts.”

This was the overt strategy. Even though Conan could see through the ploy, he was helpless to counter it.

“Objection!”

Hattori Heiji, as someone who is smart enough to understand the situation, impulsively stood up and shouted.

“That guy’s statements are clearly meant to manipulate emotions!”

He pointed at Kensuke and Natsuki Koshimizu, yelling.

“Don’t be fooled, everyone. Their expressions are all fake!”

However, the judge quickly banged the gavel. “Objection overruled! Special witnesses must remain silent and follow judicial procedures. Do not engage in actions inappropriate for your position!”

Hattori had no choice but to sit down, frustrated.

He wasn’t a prosecutor, and even if he were, objecting at this stage would be ineffective since Kensuke was conducting his business according to the proper procedures. Currently, they were still in the phase where “the defendant responds to the prosecution’s charges.”

“Kudo, this trial is not in our favor.”

Hattori whispered.

“Yeah, that guy is really skilled at manipulating other people emotions.”

Conan’s face was grim as he glanced coldly at Kensuke.

But soon, he spoke with determination.

“No worries, I have absolute evidence.”

The first phase of the trial concluded quickly.

Under Natsuki’s vivid performance, everyone present was moved by her expression.

The balance of their hearts had already tilted towards this woman, who was described as acting out of “momentary impulse and helplessness for revenge.”

From the fluctuation of their favorable impressions, Kensuke could see everything.

A slight smirk played on his lips.

Excellent. As long as he followed the plan, the outcome of this trial was still predetermined.

Next came the second phase: the evidence presentation stage.

The second phase was necessary. Even if the defendant admitted to the murder, they couldn’t be convicted on the spot.

To convict someone, there needed to be evidence. You couldn’t just confess to the police and expect to be immediately arrested.

The prosecutor presented a forensic report.

“This is a report from the Metropolitan Police Department Forensics Division. Using PCR technology, DNA related to the murder weapon, a hammer, was extracted. The DNA was confirmed to match that of the suspect, Natsuki Koshimizu. Additionally, her fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, proving that the defendant had come into contact with it.”

The prosecutor handed the report to the court through the judge’s clerk for examination.

After reviewing it, the judge nodded and looked towards Kensuke.

“Do the defendant and their representative have any objections to this evidence?”

“No objections.”

Kensuke smiled faintly, offering no rebuttal.

There were only Natsuki Koshimizu’s fingerprints on the murder weapon.

She hadn’t worn any gloves while committing the crime because she didn’t intend to flee. Her plan was to trap everyone on the deserted island after committing the murder. She even destroyed the island’s only wireless communication tool. However, she was eventually found by Conan and Heiji.

Kensuke couldn’t tamper with this evidence like before because the evidence had always been firmly in the hands of the prosecution.

However, that was okay. Evidence wasn’t absolute.

Sometimes, the winning piece of the puzzle might be in the opponent’s hands.

But ownership was only temporary.

What seemed unfavorable to their side might eventually reverse due to some factor.

After the defendant’s admission, the judge turned to the prosecutor.

“Please present more compelling evidence.”

Having only fingerprints and DNA on the murder weapon wasn’t enough because it only proved the defendant had touched it, not necessarily that she had used it to commit the murder.

Responding to the judge’s request, the prosecutor nodded.

“The prosecution requests special witness Conan to speak.”

All eyes turned to the special witness stand, where a small boy with a blue bow tie stood.

Conan’s expression was serious as he reached into his pocket.

After a moment, he pulled out a device resembling a listening device from inside.