The presiding judge and the judges were quite at ease with this case.
The facts of this case were laid out clearly.
The crimes committed by these four individuals had already been thoroughly investigated by the state.
Now it was merely a matter of how to sentence these individuals.
Although the presiding judge of the first trial spoke of imposing severe punishment, seeing the four individuals show signs of remorse and actively bearing all the losses by handing over tens of millions, eventually led to a more lenient sentence.
The lenient punishment resulted in a life sentence.
Who could have thought that these individuals would appeal!
Moreover, from the attitude of these four in the second trial, there was no sense of remorse, rather a sense of dissatisfaction with the verdict.
Given this, he could only conduct official business as required.
Moreover, the defense lawyer for these four made a reasonable argument.
The circumstances were egregious!
A re-judgment was necessary!
After the recess ended.
The court reconvened.
The presiding judge spoke: "Now reconvening the session!"
"The defendants Luo Hansheng, Zhao Quanzhong, Guo Liangping, and Hao Jian colluded for profit through the exchange of power and money."
"The four individuals used their positions at the university to engage in power-money transactions."
"....."
"Defendants Guo Liangping and Hao Jian restricted Zhang Tao’s personal freedom, constituting illegal detention.
"The actions of the four defendants amount to offenses of abuse of power, illegal detention, embezzlement, bribery, and possessing unexplained significant wealth, among several charges."
"Thus, this court rejects the first trial’s verdict request."
"Sentencing defendant Luo Hansheng to death, with confiscation of all personal property and lifelong deprivation of political rights."
"Sentencing defendant Zhao Quanzhong to death, with confiscation of all personal property and lifelong deprivation of political rights."
"Sentencing defendant Guo Liangping to ten years imprisonment, and Hao Jian to ten years imprisonment, with a fine of six hundred thousand yuan."
"The defendants bear all litigation costs for this case."
"Ordering Yangcheng University to re-evaluate the selection of poverty aid funds and scholarships."
"Canceling Luo Hansheng’s position as principal and Zhao Quanzhong’s position as deputy principal."
"Ordering Yangcheng University to establish a comprehensive system for selecting aid funds and scholarships to ensure fairness, impartiality, and transparency."
"Simultaneously punishing students from wealthy families who fraudulently obtained poverty aid and compensating students who should have received aid."
"...."
The judgment was extensive.
The court has finished delivering the verdict!
Death penalty!
In court, Luo Hansheng and Zhao Quanzhong were directly sentenced to death.
Originally, they faced a life sentence.
But now were directly sentenced to death!
The other two had less severe circumstances but were still given ten years!
In the courtroom, the four defendants were trembling all over...
Luo Hansheng and Zhao Quanzhong were in tears, full of regret.
Why did they opt for the second trial?
Not only did it cost them a fortune, but the court also changed the sentence.
The court directly changed from life imprisonment to the death penalty...
Life imprisonment, in reality, meant roughly serving twenty years.
If they exhibited meritorious behavior in prison, their sentences could be reduced.
Typically, they could be out in a decade or so.
After serving ten years, both Luo Hansheng and Zhao Quanzhong could still enjoy their lives.
Although all their personal properties were confiscated, the court could not seize their wives’ and daughters’ properties.
Even though their families might not have much left after this scandal, at least they could have a comfortable later life.
Yet now, they were directly sentenced to death...
Death penalty!
The agony of a death sentence, how many can endure it?
This was a second trial, practically the final one!
Under normal circumstances, there would not be a third trial.
If a third trial were to happen, new evidence must be presented and submitted to the court, evidence that must overturn the current ruling, necessitating special procedures for a third re-trial.
So...
Luo Hansheng and Zhao Quanzhong have no chances left!
Death penalty!
Their lives are finished!
Guo Liangping and Hao Jian exchanged glances...
Originally, their fine was thirty thousand, with a seven-year sentence...
Now they had to serve ten years and were fined six hundred thousand, double the previous amount!
Their families were not wealthy, and most money had already been handed over in efforts to remedy their misdeeds.
Yet now they still have to pay a fine of six hundred thousand...
Their lives were ruined.
All four are full of regret.
They believed appealing to the second trial was unnecessary and that hoping to come out earlier wasn’t wise.
But now it has come to this...
Internet users across the board are still unaware of the verdict in this case.
The trial was not broadcasted live.
Gu Chen did not utter a word throughout, nor did he defend them even once.
He instead focused on researching a case of an elder brother...
Because that case was more complicated than initially expected, entailing numerous procedures.
Since that case already underwent a second trial... a third trial would require new evidence!
But that was a matter for later.
Gu Chen raised his head, aware that this case had concluded.
It was merely moving through the court processes now.
Gu Chen glanced at the four pale defendants in the dock without a trace of pity.
Though everyone labeled him as Lawless Madman...
In truth, Gu Chen was just a lawyer.
His job is to handle each case efficiently.
The reason these people faced the death penalty all boiled down to their own actions.
Finding ways to make money at the university could be one thing...
If they were leveraging cafeterias, shops, and other means for profit, Gu Chen wouldn’t have pursued those cases or charged them.
But they craved every kind of profit.
Even the scholarships meant for underprivileged students weren’t spared!
Upon taking this case, Gu Chen had to uncover the big fish behind it to reveal the whole truth!
Gu Chen merely wanted fairness!
And the law is the guardian of fairness!
The presiding judge said: "The defendants may now give their final statements."
Luo Hansheng: "....."
Luo Hansheng was already in tears.
He continued admitting his mistakes....
Zhao Quanzhong was doing the same.
Both were filled with despair.
Guo Liangping and Hao Jian also tearfully admitted their faults in court....
Now, they truly realized their wrongdoing.
The four appeared extremely forlorn.
The police led them away....
Gu Chen spared them a glance.
If they had known it would come to this, would they have done it in the first place?
Using their power for personal gain....
Even going as far as allocating aid for underprivileged students to the rich second generation...
Such deeds, even having been done.
Did they consider the underprivileged students?
Did they consider the students deserving scholarships?
These individuals were making money everywhere at the university...
Air conditioning for dormitories was long overdue but wasn’t installed....
Dormitories, too, could have been renovated by now, as could the teaching buildings...
Yet, they chose to pocket the money....
Now they regret it?
It is all too late.
The net of heaven stretches wide but lets nothing through.
Simultaneously, the court’s verdict was made public!
The internet exploded in an instant!