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墨書 Inktalez
Claire stood in the witness stand, taking a deep breath, a hint of pain etched on her face. Her voice trembled but was filled with sincerity as she continued to recount her relationship with Mark.
"Members of the jury, I have lacked a father’s love since childhood, which has left me feeling extremely insecure and lonely as I grew up. Mark's presence filled this void within me; his care made me feel warm and safe, leading me to unconsciously depend on him to the point of being unable to extricate myself."
She paused for a moment, inhaling deeply, a flicker of anguish crossing her eyes. "However, this dependence became my greatest weakness. Mark was well aware of my situation and began to exert psychological control over me, making me feel as though I could not leave him, no matter how he treated me."
Claire's voice grew even quieter as she scanned the faces of everyone present, as if revealing a profound secret. "He would often belittle me during intimate moments, calling me 'bitch,' 'slut,' and other derogatory names, leaving me feeling extreme humiliation and inferiority. He commanded me to do many things, making me feel like I was no longer a person but an object at his disposal."
Her voice quivered, tears welling in her eyes. "He forced me into various degrading sexual acts, subjecting me not only to physical torment but also to mental anguish. I know these words may sound unbelievable, but this is everything I have endured."
The courtroom fell silent as everyone processed her words. The jury members wore complex expressions; some showed sympathy while others remained skeptical. Particularly among the female members, there was a flicker of anger and unease in their eyes.
Lisa stood nearby, her expression neutral but secretly pleased. She knew Claire's testimony would provoke a strong reaction—exactly what she needed. She looked at the jury and said firmly, "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we cannot overlook everything Claire has experienced. This is not just a story of emotions; it is about a woman who has been oppressed and controlled struggling in despair."
The prosecutor could no longer sit still; his face darkened with anger. He knew these words would have a significant impact on the jury and felt compelled to counter immediately. He stood up and said loudly, "Your Honor, these statements are once again attempting to blur the focus; they are irrelevant to the core evidence of this case!"
However, Lisa did not back down and immediately retorted, "Your Honor, these statements are key to understanding this case. The abuse and control Claire experienced are the roots of her ultimate actions. We need to fully comprehend this background in order to fairly adjudicate this case."
The judge adjusted his glasses and leaned down to speak quietly with two female judges beside him. Their expressions clearly showed interest in Claire's story; they nodded in agreement from time to time, their eyes revealing some sympathy and understanding. After pondering for a moment and carefully listening to the opinions of the two female judges, the presiding male judge finally picked up his gavel and struck it down several times.
"Please continue," the judge said, his tone tinged with resignation yet indicating his seriousness about the case.
The prosecutor's face flushed with anger as he struggled to conceal his frustration and dissatisfaction. He realized that this trial had become more complicated and challenging. Lisa had successfully shifted the focus of the case onto Claire's personal experiences—exactly what he feared most. Such emotional appeals could easily sway the jury's hearts, causing them to overlook the core facts and evidence of the case.
Sitting nearby, Jack rubbed his head, unwilling to listen any longer. His expression showed fatigue and helplessness; he was filled with annoyance and unease. He was already exhausted from this trial. Claire's words repeatedly pierced his nerves; he could not understand why this woman was so cunning that she could weave such intricate lies in front of so much evidence. He couldn't help but wonder if there was truly any justice left in this world.
Claire's remarks immediately caused a stir in the courtroom. The feminists in the public gallery began to cheer, shouting slogans in support of Claire, their voices filled with anger and protest.
"We support Claire!"
"Victims of male supremacy!"
"She deserves fair treatment!"
These radical feminists were loud, quickly resonating with and opposing the atmosphere in the room. Meanwhile, Mark's relatives were furious, their faces turning red as they stood up to loudly condemn Claire's statements.
"She's distorting the facts!"
"This is nonsense!"
"She's the real killer!"
Mark's relatives were seething with anger, emotionally charged as they tried to make their voices heard. The atmosphere in the courtroom became extremely chaotic, and the jury members began to murmur among themselves.
The jury was evenly split between men and women, with the male members appearing hesitant while the female members clearly started leaning towards Claire's narrative. They whispered to each other, their eyes showing a hint of sympathy and understanding.
"She really looks like a victim."
"This sounds like a typical abuse case."
"Her pain is real."
The tide began to turn in favor of Claire, which secretly pleased Lisa. She stood expressionless at the side but felt a surge of joy inside. She knew this was exactly the effect she needed. Claire's remarks successfully garnered sympathy from both the jury and the public, which was crucial for their defense strategy.
The judge struck the gavel again in an attempt to restore order. "Quiet! Quiet! This is a courtroom; please maintain silence."
However, the voices of the feminists continued unabated, and Mark's relatives were equally unyielding, intensifying the tension in the courtroom. The judge had no choice but to raise his voice again, commanding silence once more.
Lisa glanced at the prosecutor, whose face remained grim, showing clear dissatisfaction and anger. She knew that the trial had become more complex and difficult, but they were currently in a favorable position. Claire's statements had successfully turned the tide, causing more people to rally behind her.
The judge looked at the increasingly chaotic courtroom, furrowing his brow as he struck the gavel. "The court will take a recess. Please remain calm," he announced.
The courtroom gradually quieted down, but the atmosphere remained tense and oppressive. Claire's side clearly held a slight advantage; their unexpected strategy of admitting to the crime shocked and confused the prosecution. This was in stark contrast to Claire's demeanor during her interrogation, leaving the prosecutor, Jack, and others involved in the case deeply puzzled.
The prosecutor frowned as he whispered with Jack and the other staff members. They tried to understand this shift and sought a counter-strategy. Jack looked worried; he knew this trial would become even more challenging and complicated.
Lisa maintained her composed demeanor as she walked calmly to the public gallery, where she found the leading feminist. She smiled at them and said, "Claire's case needs more awareness. We need more support and solidarity to ensure the truth is widely spread."
The feminists nodded and immediately sprang into action. They quickly organized themselves and rushed outside the courthouse with a group of supporters, beginning to loudly promote Claire's story in front of reporters.
"We support Claire!"
"This is a rebellion of an oppressed woman in despair!"
"She deserves a fair trial!"
Reporters quickly gathered, cameras flashing incessantly as microphones and recorders were aimed at these feminists. Their voices echoed outside the courthouse, attracting a large media presence and crowd of onlookers.
"Claire is a victim of male dominance!"
"Her story needs to be heard!"
Lisa stood at the courthouse entrance, calmly observing it all with a sense of satisfaction. She knew that this battle for public opinion had begun, which would greatly influence the jury and public perception. Claire's story would be widely disseminated, drawing more people to her side—exactly the situation she needed.
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