Chapter 544: The Trial (4)

Josh continued his defense mockingly. "Are you charging the defendant based solely on a video clip? How ludicrous! If he desired other women, they'd have flocked to his house at the drop of a hat. Indeed, the defendant has instructed me to state he harbors no feelings for anyone but his wife, Hannah. The defendant is innocent of rape!"

After this forceful statement, he bowed courteously to the judge. "That concludes my statement."

The judge nodded. "The prosecutor may begin his cross-examination."

"Your Honor," the prosecutor said, rising. "The defense sounds plausible, yet loopholes exist."

All eyes turned to the prosecutor. He continued calmly. "While the Wells family is privileged, and the defendant claims wealth beyond bribery, his past extravagant spending suggests a potential abuse of his position. A man of his wealth might disregard money, yet crave something novel—power, for instance. Lured by power, the defendant engaged in bribery, reveling in his authority."

Hannah's expression hardened. She knew sophistry would be employed. Susan, too, was infuriated by this despicable argument. "Damn it," Susan muttered, "what a cunning lawyer! He's fabricating everything!"

The prosecutor pressed on, confident. "We have conclusive evidence: financial statements and cash records. The defense failed to prove the defendant's innocence, representing ineffective counsel."

Charles and his accomplices displayed smug complacency. They believed this was Oscar's downfall.

"Now, the rape itself. The defendant claims irresistible charm, a claim I'll concede. Investigations reveal numerous affairs, yet no accusations. These were consensual, occurring before his marriage, removing the moral constraint. This is the point the defense conveniently omitted."

The prosecutor's argument seemed persuasive to many. He continued confidently, "Traditionally, post-marital morality is paramount. Premarital behavior is tolerated, but post-marital indiscretions invite condemnation. This applies equally to women. The defendant had no extramarital affairs after marriage; women who previously pursued him avoided him afterward. Thus, any affair must have been initiated by him."

"Objection!" Josh countered. "Speculating on compulsion is sophistry! While morality guides most, some women pursue married men for wealth. The defendant's post-marital fidelity doesn't imply culpability in this case."

"I have proof! The video depicts intimacy, contradicting his claim of marital fidelity."

"It doesn't prove the victim sought him out!" Josh retorted.

The prosecutor, his face sullen, continued, "The victim acted out of kindness, sending him home because he was drunk; hence, the appearance of intimacy."

"If, as you claim, women avoided him after marriage, why didn't the victim call Hannah? Why did she take him home herself? Isn't that contradictory?"

"It was late. Perhaps she deemed it unsafe for Hannah to come."

"If safety was a concern, why did she insist on taking him home alone?" Josh pressed.

"The victim is dead. Ask the defendant."

"The defendant states the victim initiated the encounter," Josh emphasized.

"Nonsense!" the prosecutor exclaimed, momentarily flustered.

"If you doubt the defendant, why suggest asking him?" Josh challenged.

"The victim was Hannah's cousin. Seducing the defendant violates common morality. She wouldn't have done it."

"Correct. It violates common morality, something the defendant should be aware of!"

"He was drunk! Drunkenness leads to impulsive acts. He was a playboy; sleeping with other women was likely. But the victim was self-disciplined. The autopsy report confirms she was a virgin before the alleged rape; seduction was unlikely!"

"Speculation. Do you have proof?" Josh asked.

"The victim's suicide after the rape—an act of despair."

"Does that make the defendant responsible for her suicide?"

"He was the last person she encountered."

"Incorrect! Many attended the City Hall dinner, including Charles Sawyer!"