Chapter 140 Catching Her by the Foot
Since it was a case Hendrix forced on me, he also bribed many people for the follow-up affairs.
Harold passed a message to the Police Station, and Ashley saw the defendant in the detention center that afternoon.
Perhaps due to inherent stereotypes or the influence of public opinion, the man in front of her seemed to fit the description of a "bad guy" in every way.
Sporting a round face, his height appeared to be around 5 feet 8 inches, although he could be taller in actuality. The short-sleeved sweatshirt he wore exposed his inked hands and wrists, decorated with a variety of vibrant patterns.
Upon seeing Ashley, the man flashed a self-satisfied grin. His teeth were stained yellow from years of tobacco use.
Ashley thought, 'Where did Hendrix get the courage to defend him? With his appearance, the entire jury might as well throw eggs in court.'
Keeping her composure, Ashley took out her pen and file. Ashley said, "Mark Smith, starting today, I am your defense lawyer. You must tell me the details of the case without any omissions. You don't have to say what you can't remember, but you must not fabricate. Every word you say will be used in your defense. The prosecutors we are up against are not just ordinary people."
Mark rolled his eyes and said, "I hired Hendrix; why did he send a woman? Is he trying to fool me?"
Harold slammed the table, "What did you say? Do you want to stay in here?"
Fortunately, Harold followed after the trial. He wanted to quit now. Was Hendrix out of his mind? Giving Ashley such a difficult and sticky job.
Ashley put down her pen and clasped her hands on the table. "You can spend your old age in a prison cell, or you can cooperate and go out to live freely. It's your choice, or you can find another lawyer."
Ashley had never handled a criminal case independently, and the odds of a successful defense seemed as likely as winning the lottery.
Mark snorted, "I didn't pay 46150 dollars to be lectured."
Ashley thought, '46150 dollars?'
Ashley looked at Harold, who just smiled.
Hendrix was quite capable. Was he indirectly giving her money by handling this case?
But what if the defense failed? What if the man in front of her was really the culprit?
Ashley said, "Hendrix is our Vice Director. If the case becomes too difficult for me to handle, I will persuade him to take over personally. At the same time, if Hendrix entrusts the case to me, it shows that he believes in my abilities."
Harold said with a stern face, "Do you underestimate women? Isn't the one suing you a woman? Let me tell you, when it comes to outsmarting women, it has to be a woman! Our Ashley here has a winning rate of one hundred percent."
Ashley remained silent.
The success rate was high because she took on fewer cases.
Mark, being in prison and being persuaded by the two, was a bit tempted. "Alright, if Hendrix dares to harm me, I won't let him off!"
Is he still talking tough? He should stay here.
Mark said, "That night, around ten o'clock, I went downstairs to buy cigarettes, dressed casually in my boxers and flip-flops. I found the convenience store in the neighborhood closed, and unable to resist my craving, I went to the supermarket. As I passed by an alley, I heard someone screaming. I was curious and followed the sound. Later, I was hit on the head, and when I woke up, I found a knife in my hand and a woman covered in blood lying next to me. I don't know anything. I'm not the killer."
In the evidence submitted by the Police Station, only his fingerprints were found on the murder weapon, and only his footprints were found at the scene of the crime. Considering his appearance, it was indeed difficult to rule him out as a suspect.
Ashley asked, "Did anyone see you when you left? Is there anyone who can testify for you?"
The man scratched his head with his handcuffed hand and looked at her coldly. "I live alone. Can't ask the rats in my house to testify, can I?"
Harold knocked on the table again. "This is a matter concerning a possible life sentence. Be serious."
Taking notes, Ashley asked again, "Before you passed out, did you get a rough idea of the assailant's appearance? Such as height, build, and gender?"
Mark thought carefully, then shook his head helplessly. "The alley was dark; I didn't get to see anything."
Ashley asked a few more questions and then instructed Mark to wait inside and speak as she reminded him during the trial not to get angry or argue.
Ashley adds, "Also, have your family bring two sets of formal clothes for you to change into."
Image is important in the eyes of the judge and jury; perhaps it could create a favorable impression.
After leaving the detention center, Ashley thought for a moment, "Harold, he's not the killer."
Harold said, "Mark doesn't look like a good person, but if what he says is true, he's not the killer but a victim."
Ashley nodded, "But we have very little evidence in hand; it's not easy to refute the so-called ironclad evidence from the prosecutor's side."
Harold asked, "What do you want to do?"
Ashley replied, "Go to the scene of the crime and do a thorough investigation, and also, thoroughly check that road."
Ashley said, "You still have unfinished cases on your hands and a lot of things to do; I'll go check it out myself."
Harold said, "Forget it; that's the scene of the crime. You're just a woman and need a man to accompany you!"
Ashley took a deep breath, "Fine."
Then, her phone rang. Avoiding Harold, Ashley took two steps aside. Ashley greeted, "Damian, what's up?"
Damian said softly, "Ashley, you've won a few lawsuits, and your value has doubled. Can't be easily hired by ordinary people?"
Ashley had a busy day and needed to remember Thomas's invitation. Ashley said, "The celebration party at night? Sorry, I can't make it. I have a case that needs on-site investigation and research."
Damian said, "Go to the scene at night? What case? Nightclub?"
Ashley gritted her teeth. Why did it sound so bad coming from him? "
Ashley replied, "A murder case!"
Damian's voice turned icy, "You, a woman, venturing into such a place at night for investigation? Ashley, consider this: how many lives do you think you have?"
Ashley replied, "I'm a lawyer; it's my duty; please respect me."
Damian said, "Where are you?"
Ashley replied, "Detention center."
Damian rubbed his forehead, "Wait."
Then, the call ended.
Harold asked, "What happened?"
Ashley didn't dare to let him know too much; she would talk about Damian later, "An acquaintance is coming over; I'm waiting for him; you go back to the law firm first; I'll contact you if I go at night."
Harold looked at the black-and-white sign of the detention center, "Here?"
Ashley answered, "Yes, he has a friend in prison."
Harold grinned, "Okay, he's an interesting person."
Damian drove very fast and arrived in twenty minutes. Then he saw Ashley sitting on the roadside.
Ashley was wearing a serious and dignified blue suit jacket, a clean white handbag, and beige high heels. Her long hair was tied in a low ponytail, revealing her delicate face.
Damian asks, "Ashley, you're at least a professional attorney; can't you care a bit about your image?"
Ashley looked up and saw two long legs. Then she realized that she had mistaken Thomas for Damian today, which was a low-level mistake.
Ashley explained, "There are no shops or chairs around here. Should I lean against the wall?"
Damian thought, 'Ashley stood like a statue in her high heels, which must have been even more tiring.'
Damian looked at her shoes, then rolled up his pants slightly, bent down, and grabbed one of her feet.
Ashley took a step back and said, "What are you doing?"
