April 18th.
The Hancheng Intermediate People's Court conducted a public trial of the Li Jin organized crime syndicate and the major gambling case in Xunsi River.
The prosecutor presented the criminal facts of the Li Jin organized crime syndicate, including the fact that they partnered with the fugitive suspect Yang Jian to operate a major casino.
Li Jin admitted in court to the criminal facts of monopolizing demolition projects, earthwork, and material distribution in Xunsi River, as well as causing death by loan sharking.
However, regarding the operation of the casino, he insisted that he started it alone, Yang Jian was merely a frequent business partner, and Biao Biao's subordinates were introduced by him and did not profit from the casino.
"Suspect Li Jin, according to the undercover investigation by police officers for over a month, it shows that Yang Jian is your partner in the Xunsi River casino. What is your purpose in deliberately concealing and protecting Yang Jian?"
The prosecutor questioned Li Jin's denial of Yang Jian being a partner.
Li Jin's attitude was firm: "I am not protecting anyone, I am just stating the facts."
"There is ample evidence showing that you continuously transferred huge sums of money to Yang Jian during the operation of the casino. How do you explain this?"
"Yang Jian and I have a business cooperation relationship. My company is the general agent for Lijian Templates in Hancheng, and remitting money to his company is a normal business transaction, which is all documented and taxed."
"How do you explain that Hu Zhifei and Liu Xiaoming, casino staff you hired, also testified that Yang Jian is your partner?"
"They are just casino employees. They saw Yang Jian visit a few times and introduce Biao Biao and others to work there, so they assumed Yang Jian was my partner. The truth is not like that. Biao Biao and other workers can testify to this."
Li Jin had already seen Lu Hao sitting in the audience. Knowing that his life depended on helping Yang Jian get acquitted, he tried his best to protect Yang Jian.
Furthermore, tying Yang Jian into the case would not benefit him in any way; his crimes would not be reduced by implicating Yang Jian.
During his interrogation and detention over these past months, he had been repeatedly hinted that protecting Yang Jian would ensure his family's care and compensation.
The prosecutor continued to question, "Is it true that you and Yang Jian jointly engaged in forced buying and selling of Lijian Templates?"
"Not exactly. As I said before, I am the general agent for Lijian Templates. The forced promotion of Lijian Templates was my unilateral action and had nothing to do with Yang Jian. The construction site owners should be able to prove this."
The prosecutor apparently did not have much information on Yang Jian, mainly due to incomplete evidence. If Li Jin did not admit Yang Jian was a partner, the judge would not conduct an ex parte trial for Yang Jian.
Subsequently, the prosecutor presented the criminal facts of Biao Biao and other casino members.
Biao Biao and others also admitted to their criminal acts of working for the casino. Except for Hu Zhifei and Liu Xiaoming, who claimed to believe Yang Jian was a partner, no other personnel accused Yang Jian of being Li Jin's casino partner.
The entire trial lasted for one day, and the verdict was delivered in the afternoon.
Due to the involvement of a homicide case, organized crime, and a major gambling case, Li Jin was sentenced to death with a three-year reprieve, thus saving his life.
Members of the criminal syndicate were also sentenced to imprisonment ranging from five to twenty years.
Biao Biao, for managing the casino accounts, was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. The time spent in detention would be deducted from his sentence, meaning he could be released in October.
Liang Liang and the other sixteen members from Xinhe were sentenced to six months of detention and fined three thousand yuan. According to legal provisions, detention generally does not exceed two months. However, in this major organized crime case, their detention exceeded six months. Therefore, after their lawyer paid the fine, they were released immediately.
None of the individuals expressed any intention to appeal.
When the trial concluded, Lu Hao and Jing Yongli, who were sitting in the audience, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother Hao, the prosecution did not formally indict Brother Jian today, and the judge did not sentence Brother Jian. Does this mean Brother Jian is out of trouble?"
As they left the courthouse, Jing Yongli eagerly inquired.
"No, the prosecution did not indict Xiao Yang because of insufficient evidence. If the evidence were sufficient, the court could try fugitives. The materials submitted by the police might be returned for further investigation, which does not mean Yang Jian is completely acquitted."
The outcome of today's trial was within Lu Hao's expectations, so he was also familiar with the relevant legal provisions.
"Then what should we do? When can Brother Jian return openly?"
"This cannot be rushed. As long as the case returns to the police station, I will have room to maneuver, but it will take time."
"Then, if he encounters police checks while outside, will he be arrested?"
"Definitely, because his wanted notice has not been withdrawn?"
"Can the wanted notice be withdrawn?"
"As long as the police cannot find evidence of Xiao Yang's crimes and eventually give up or shelve the investigation, I will find a way to have his wanted notice withdrawn."
"How long will it take?"
"That cannot be determined. It might be soon, or it might take two to three years."
Although he had extensive and strong connections within the police department, Lu Hao could not guarantee that Yang Jian's case would be successfully dropped.
After parting ways with Lu Hao, Jing Yongli took Liang Liang and the others, who had just been released, back to Xinhe. He had specifically rented a bus to take everyone back.
Upon arriving at Chengguan, he first took them to a bathhouse to shower, and then to Fengqi Lou for dinner.
Xiao Zeng had already prepared a banquet at the hotel, with a total of four tables, as the families of Liang Liang and the others were also present.
After a few rounds of drinks, seeing that everyone was enjoying the meal, Jing Yongli stood up and raised his glass.
"Brothers, thank you for protecting Brother Jian at the police station and in court. I will toast you on behalf of Brother Jian first."
Jing Yongli downed a whole glass of baijiu in one gulp.
Liang Liang took the lead and stood up, "Brother Jian treats us like brothers, so we must protect his safety. This is nothing."
"Yes, we all consider Brother Jian our own brother and will definitely not betray him."
"Brother Yongli, where is Brother Jian? Can he come back?"
"Brother Yongli, can you contact Brother Jian? I still want to work with him."
"Yes, I'm willing too. With Brother Jian's abilities, he'll thrive wherever he goes."
These brothers were all voicing their opinions, creating a noisy scene that made it difficult for Jing Yongli to respond.
"Brothers, please be quiet and let me finish. You must already know that while you were detained, Brother Jian arranged for me to send five thousand yuan to your families every month."
"Yes, we all know that. Brother Jian is truly righteous, which is why we are still willing to follow him."
"Well, Brother Jian also has plans for your arrangements after your release. It mainly depends on your opinions. There are two options, and you can choose for yourselves."
Jing Yongli knew that these young men were willing to follow Yang Jian, but their families might not all think the same way. Most families naturally hoped their children would go down the right path from now on.