Chapter 4

When the trial resumed, Serena was dressed in black. She sat in the audience along with other family members of the victims.

I lowered my gaze and listened to the prosecutor's presentation. "The defendant, Channing Jones, committed five intentional homicide acts, all resulting in the immediate death of the victims. Additionally, he trafficked human organs more than 480 times within 3 years, causing an extremely negative social impact. Defendant, you may now present your defense."

I remained silent.

The audience seats erupted in a chorus of insults.

"What is there for him to defend? He is truly a disgrace to society."

"My daughter studied hard for 20 years, enduring hardships to become a good doctor serving the people. He not only killed my daughter, he also tried to accuse her of organ trafficking."

"Five doctors were killed. Monster. Scum. Impose the death penalty on him."

They held the portraits of the victims, agitated.

An endless sea of cameras surrounded me, and the bursts of flash were so intense they nearly blinded me.

I tried to speak, but my throat felt rusted. It was an old problem of mine; I could not make a sound when my emotions surged.

Myles knew, and Serena knew. That was why Myles would stand up for me when I was bullied as a child.

I looked in Serena's direction, but she was lost in the crowd.

Several rotten eggs and pieces of gravel flew over the barrier and hit me on the head.

Blood flowed, and my vision went completely red. I could only shake my head at the judge.

The sentencing began, and the audience erupted in cheers when I was sentenced to death.

The victims' families were emotional, hugging each other as tears streamed down their faces.

The judge asked again, "Defendant, you may appeal again if you disagree with the verdict. Do you hear me?"

I still could not speak; I could only nod and then shake my head.

The gavel slammed down, and the decision was final.

I closed my eyes tightly, thinking, "Myles, you won."

...

When Channing was led away by bailiffs, Serena instinctively tried to rush over, but she was swept away by the elated family members and led out of the courtroom.

Reporters, who had been waiting for a long time, eagerly shoved microphones at her.

"Officer Jensen, you personally apprehended the murderer of your husband. Now that you hear he has been sentenced to death, how do you feel?"

"We heard the murderer was your boyfriend of many years. What are your thoughts on his crime?"

Serena felt as if her throat was being choked; she could not utter a single syllable.

In a flash, she suddenly remembered that Channing had not said a word when he stabbed Myles. The more Channing tried to defend himself, the more he could not speak.

Serena instantly turned grim. "Go back to the station and retrieve the evidence from when Channing stabbed Myles and Myles' medical report. Hurry."

Frederick could not understand, but seeing Serena's anxiety, he dared not delay.

When Serena received the forensic report again, she dared not overlook a single word. After reading it, she roared with bloodshot eyes, "Appeal immediately. Something is wrong with Channing's case."