Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

My client tried to leave before and was beaten viciously.

That night, my client tried to escape again. Since his sister was young, he decided to go out alone first to see if Jamie was asleep.

He went to Jamie's room, saw Jamie lying in bed asleep, and wanted to retrieve his phone. He opened the first drawer of the nightstand, didn't see the phone, but he saw a gun.

At that moment, Jamie woke up.

My client was terrified and grabbed the gun, intending to defend himself.

It was then that Jamie started cursing at him, even threatening to kill him and his sister.

Out of fear and self-preservation, my client fired the gun.

That's what happened."

Luke nodded, "Hypothetical statements are fine, but there's no plea deal. If you think it's self-defense, then why not just admit that Pek killed Jamie.

You can negotiate a self-defense deal with the prosecution.

Even if the prosecution doesn't agree, you could still defend yourselves in court. I believe that with a good attitude in admitting guilt, the judge and jury will deliver a fair trial."

"We want a self-defense plea deal now."

"I don't have one here.

But I can tell you, if Pek doesn't confess to killing Jamie Brady, we will find more evidence.

His refusal to admit the killing will also affect the jury's decision on self-defense.

You're a lawyer, you should know better than I do what is more advantageous for him."

Luke's idea was simple, if you think you acted in self-defense, then admit to killing Jamie first.

If you don't admit to killing Jamie, then let the police determine your act of killing, which will surely leave a bad impression on the prosecution and jury, affecting the decision on self-defense.

The reason Luke doesn't offer a plea deal is that this case is special.

First, Pek is a juvenile.

Second, Pek and his sister were subject to unlawful detention.

Third, Jamie was a dangerous wanted criminal.

Fourth, Jamie didn't die in bed but under it, indicating that Jamie likely threatened Pek.

Considering all four circumstances, there is a great possibility that the jury will rule it self-defense.

However, because Pek engaged in faking the crime scene, Luke didn't want to offer him a plea deal.

If you want to be ruled as self-defense, then admit to the killing here, whether you can negotiate a self-defense verdict is up to the prosecutor and jury."

Luke was resolute, without the slightest wavering.

Pek's grandmother and lawyer discussed carefully, and finally persuaded Pek.

He sighed, "I... admit I killed Jamie Brady."

"Good," Luke nodded, "Describe the process of the crime carefully."

Pek began to recount the killing process, which was largely consistent with what his lawyer described, only with more detailed specifics...

The Jamie Brady murder case was declared solved.

With Jamie dead, the trail for the counterfeit currency case went cold.

However, it had little impact on Luke and the others, as they had already taken down the printing group's hideout in Los Angeles, fulfilling their mission and duty.

As for the other members of the counterfeit organization and the fake currency they made, that became the FBI's responsibility.

The LAPD has no jurisdiction outside of Los Angeles, nor do they have the obligation to handle matters beyond.

...

"George!"

"Hero!"

"We want—freedom to breathe!"

The impact of George's case was growing bigger.

It started with demonstrations in Los Angeles.

Then, it spread to the whole state of California, and even the entire United States.

George had become a modern-day Luther King.

Not only Americans were paying attention, but the whole world was watching.

"I can't breathe" had become a global meme mocking the United States.

The Kunniel Bolt murder case was solved, George confessed.

Those who wanted to exploit LAPD's violent enforcement and George's murder began to to surface, with various clowns taking the stage one after another.

August 9th.

At the Los Angeles Police Department, the Detective Bureau decided to hold a news conference to reveal the details of George's capture.

In the morning.

The area outside the Detective Bureau was filled with demonstrators, and reporters also arrived at the scene of the news conference in a timely manner; the whole world was focusing on this case of violent law enforcement.

At ten in the morning.

Reid arrived at the scene of the news conference.

In the distance, another wave of demonstration chants rose up.

"George!"

"Hero!"

"We want—to breathe freely!"

The cries surged like waves, drowning out Reid's voice.

The police were also fully armed, ready to suppress the protest march.

After the noise had passed, Reid slowly smiled and said, "Since when has the threshold for being a hero been so low? Do you understand George Banerbert?

If he counts as a hero, then every officer present here could get a Medal of Valor personally awarded by the President."

As Reid's words fell, there was unrest in the crowd of demonstrators, some began to loudly protest, others started to charge at the police station's gates.

The LAPD was no pushover; riot police armed to the teeth immediately clashed with them head-on.

Helmets, bulletproof vests, riot shields, batons, pistols, rifles—their ranks stood unbreachable, their gear able to fend off any attack, a force to be reckoned with.

Reid continued, "I can clearly tell you that George Banerbert is not a hero, but a criminal."

A black female reporter asked with an angry tone, "Chief Reid, whether George is a criminal is not for the police to decide.

Only a judge and a jury have the right to determine his guilt, and before that, you LAPD killed him in a brutal manner.

I can't believe such a thing could happen in 21st century Los Angeles; it's a regression of civilization.

It's also a disgrace to LAPD.

You should be responsible for George's death, you should repent for George, LAPD is guilty, you are the ones who should be judged by the citizens.

From this aspect, George is a 'hero'!"

"Hero!"

"Hero!" inspired by the crowd, the demonstrators cheered again.

Reid fixed his gaze on her and questioned, "What's your name, which TV station are you with?"

The female reporter stood tall, proudly saying, "I am Mario Finch, a reporter from EBC Television."

"Are you really a reporter?"

"Of course."

Reid shook his head, "I've always been puzzled, why did this incident get so blown up? Why does everyone think George Banerbert is dead?

Turns out, it's because of reporters like you stirring things up.

Freedom of the press is your right, which I don't oppose.

But I hope you can broadcast the truth, not fake news designed to grab attention and make headlines for the sake of ratings and buzz.

I hereby formally announce, all news of George's death are false, George is not dead."

"Whoa..."

A single statement set off waves of shock.

Because of Reid's words, there was an uproar all around.

The entire Los Angeles, the whole of America, even the entire world, was in turmoil.

Reid stood upright, scanning the crowd.

LAPD fears no one.

The female reporter Mario Finch was also taken aback, "Chief Reid, is what you just said true?"

"Of course."

"Then where is George now?"

"He is suspected of involvement in a murder case and a counterfeit money case, and is currently assisting the police investigation.

Furthermore, he has signed a plea agreement for second-degree murder, he is indeed a criminal now."

As Reid finished speaking, the crowd once again became restless.

Some of the leaders of the demonstration regrouped and shouted, "George, hero!"

"We don't believe it!"

"George is not a criminal, George is a hero!"

The crowd chanted George's name once more; this matter had been brewing for several days and wasn't going to be subdued by just one statement from Reid.

They weren't going to easily believe Reid, as many Americans are accustomed to conspiracy theories.

Right at that moment, a haggard-looking black woman stepped onto the stage and grabbed the microphone from Reid,

"I have something to say!

My name is Nasi Bolt.

I am a black mother.

But I am not a qualified mother.

I became addicted to drugs and lost custody of my son.

My son's name is Kunniel Bolt...

He's only fourteen years old, he loves me very much, wants to live with me..." Nasi Bolt's voice was hoarse, tears streaming down her cheeks, "but I let him down...

He has left me forever, left this world.

And the man who killed him is your so-called hero 'George'.

He's not a hero.

He's a murderer!"