157. What Do You Know?

"Your honor, may it please the court that the client represented today has pleaded not guilty to the crimes..."

"Why are you here? I specifically told your husband to keep his eyes on you."

"You don't have to whisper mom no one can hear you all the way back here."

"Regardless, we have to be careful. This is as good as an open and shut case and not many people are happy about that. Soon enough, there will be a stream of reporters waiting to pounce on anyone that comes out like yourself."

"Our presence today has to be acknowledged mom. You are an integral part of this case and our firm's image is on the line. Anyway the accused is not exactly someone having a model record. I'd thought his case wouldn't reach the court from the beginning. It's probable he may face life without possibility of parole."

Elric's mother sighed. She appeared rather disinterested in her son's speculations. "Sorry I've been quite held up the last couple of days as this case winds up though I'm not disappointed at all with the proceedings. Perhaps things might go in our favor today."

"I hope they do. You've hardly spent time with Luca and Lusha."

"With the courts permission, kindly allow me at most three minutes of your rebuttal for this case has gone far too long and it's time we came to a conclusion."

"Yea. I hope to never have to see that man again." Glancing at a familiar figure, Elric's mother added. "His pair hasn't missed a single hearing of his husband's and also finds time to pacify his son who wants nothing to do with him."

"Maybe they really do love each other mom. It's twisted yes, but it's theirs."

"I wouldn't call playing ignorant to his husband's crimes love. Even so, I find it unsettling that he isn't worried of his partner snapping his neck in his sleep someday. Doesnt he know the monster he's married to?"

Elric chuckled, covering his mouth to prevent laughter from escaping him. "Mom, he might be into that kind of kinky stuff, a little torture to the death from time to time..."

"Son, if that were the case, then the accused wouldn't be doing everything to save him. From the number of times I've had a face to face encounter with them them, it always feels like Mora's father is the one who can't live without his so called moral compass. That is why I didn't hold his husband accountable for being an accomplice, lest that man retaliates and take vengeance on my family."

"At this point, even in his current status, do you think he can pull off something like that? I've been following the case whenever I find time and it seems he's lost more than three quarters of the power he initially possessed. His businesses have collapsed and his immediate family do not wish to speak in his favour neither do they want to participate in the case."

"Son, after yearning all this years to have another girl in the family, I wouldn't just stay vigilant. I've build up walls and had my eyes almost everywhere to make sure no harm befalls those I care for. It's exhausting." Looking back at his son, Elric's mother added. "Never ever get comfortable with such an opponent. There is always something up their sleeve."

"With respect to the numerous evidences brought forward and the witnesses testimonies, it is evident every alleged crime commited have been a violation of the international human rights laws, which brings me to my second and third point. The accused is obviously a psychopath as diagnosed by the assigned courts doctors your honor. Not even my learned friend can oppose that. Being born a psychopath is no fault of his own. He is a victim of circumstance however, murder, money laundering, illegal posession of drugs, bribery, manipulation of stock prices, attempted murder, kidnapping, the list goes beyond your ears to mention all in a day your honor. A crime begets punishment. It's the reason for order.

Thirdly your honor, I want to make certain I understand the argument brought forward. Are we to pardon the accused based on the presumption that he is a psychopath? My argument is he should be brought forth to receive proper treatment to help him cope with his predetermined condition while serving time.

My opposing counsel wishes to free him from his crimes. We do not discredit their argument that he is suffering a disorder however, due to his special case, a lot of families have been rendered helpless and those are the only ones we know of. What about the numerous witnesses that pulled out? What about his other crimes against humanity or altering genetic code of several species by using them as experiments? Even in the government, he has allies rooted in his crimes, accomplices hiding behind charity organisations."

"We are not ruling out the possibilities of his crimes being committed however, unlike those that used him due to his condition, they were in their right mind pawning him to usurp power and we have seen it time without number, weeks of following up this case including the witnesses brought fourth to the stand. As we take the path to consider a befitting purnishment, take into account the things he's done independently without the influence of his business partners who knew well of his condition. Any normal individual with a sound mind upon interacting with the accused would immediately realise there is something a miss with him. They took advantage of his lack of empathy and made him spearhead illegal projects. He has no empathy. He knows what he did was wrong but doesn't comprehend why it's wrong. He is just not built that way and we can't purnish him for the defect he was born with. But do you know who knew? Everyone else!

He has attoned for his errs. I'd be dammed if he were to stop funding more than 60% of projects under the Ministry of health. What about the Ministry of Agriculture? Did I forget he uses his own personal finances to fund infrastructure and technological projects? You'll all be dammed if he were to pull out his resources that even detaining him this long has affected cashflow in this country and our neighbouring nations. If he is brought into account, so should everyone who has benefited from his numerous projects for they too spearheded his vision for development. He didn't act alone!"

"They are looking at him as a victim of his own crimes? This wasn't in the reports mom." Elric seemed surprised. "I thought the evidences presented were more than enough. The team from our firm presiding the case also handed over everything we had before..."

"Things took a different turn when you left. Presently, the angle taken by the prosecutors is majorly more on his condition as a psychopath and how to cope with it. He will not be exempted from his crimes. That's indefinite, however, they are looking to hold him accountable not as a normal functioning human being but a person with a mental defect. That is why most of those he has partnered with have been brought to question and asked of his work ethic. Sadly, he has been concluded a violent man, fueling the presumption that he is indeed a psychopath. His family has also fueled into this analogy, providing proof of his unstable or rather off characteristics. At this point, it's hard to argue back this case to it's original route of punishing him as an individual with a sound mind, rather, the court seems to focus on him receiving punishment befitting of someone with his mental condition."

"Isn't that more advantageous? Him being held accountable together whilst factoring his psychopathy? Firstly, he won't be put in a mental institution so the mental plea is out of the question and even if he were judged based on his crimes minus his psychotic tendencies, we rule out the possibility of him carrying out crimes while he serves time..."

"Once the verdict is given, the possibility of him getting an appeal or parole is very slim, until he proves he can act and blend accordingly with civilians."

"Exactly mom."

"You forgot one thing though. He'd already received training for that and his family has refused to confirm that to the prosecutors. If they do, it puts them accountable in many ways for moulding him to be the monster he has become."

"Wow. This is rather cumbersome..." Elric flinched when his phone vibrated. It had been a message from Niel, informing him of Stan and Yeon's visit to check on the newborns. He smiled then looked at his mother, who seemed to be anticipating some sort of explanation. "I have to leave."

"You definitely should. Don't surprise me like this again."

"Mom come on, you and I are a team..."

"Prepare yourself to meet your uncles. In a few days I shall arrange your handing over process so if there are legal matters you should be concerned about, it should only be that."

Elric's face dropped. "I'd hoped you'd forgotten."

"Not in this lifetime. I've been waiting for you to look alive and seeing that you had the audacity to show up uninvited to this proceeding means you are ready for this. It's time we get this over with my dear son."

"Yea. I know." Elric nodded then looked at his slightly protruding belly and his engorged breasts. It was obvious it was time to breastfeed again.

"I was informed you are wet nursing another. Does that mean you've off your medications for sometime?"

Elric chuckled and reached to stroke his lower back. "Yes and it hurts like hell but it's totally worth it. If I hadn't chosen to do so, I'd have lost my mind from being separated from Luca and Lusha. Besides, those two don't even feed much. Haesol is the one that literally milks me dry."

"You hardly fed as well. You used to love the pacifier more than anything else." Elric's mother formed a smile and pulled his son closer for a brief hug. "It's time you experienced how betrayed I used to feel. Now, go home. I'll update you if there is need for it."

"I know you won't." Elric spoke and stood up.

"Good for you to know that. Now, be gone."

Elric's mother watched as his son walked away, laughing her statement off as if it were a mare joke. She felt an ominous feeling whenever she looked at her son and the need to protect him from danger brought her heart to race every time.

"The court shall take a short recess and be back for the final verdict. This court is adjourned until 10:00AM."

Upon the judges departure, everyone dispersed however, Elric's mother chose to remain behind including her team that was closely monitoring the case. She contemplated joining them by moving to the front but decided against it, opting to not attract attention. She understood well how much her presence had an impact in the courtroom and her involvement would warrant unnecessary questions and attention she didn't want to deal with.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of Mora's father conversing with his spouse but didn't miss when he caught sight of her and sneered.

'What the...! Did he know I was here all along?'

"Attorney." Said an enthusiastic voice, pulling her attention from Mora's father's glare. "Many of us don't get to meet you in person but it's an honor to see you today. Good morning."

"Good morning to you too."

"What brings you here?"

"My firm presided over this case initially so I took an interest on it too."

"Fantastic. A case like this one, as expected would never escape your exceptional skills." Looking back at the courtroom, the man spoke with a broad smile across his face as he scanned the room. "Everything will be over soon. It is evident this man will receive a proper sentencing."

'How naive is this individual, discussing the case with me just because.' Elric's mother wondered but then opted to probe for more.

"What's your take on the judge and jury? I have dealt with the judge before but as you are aware, the jury is often independent."

"The opposing counsel was going for a tough sentence however, seeming that the accused has a mental condition, he is likely to be placed in an isolated prison."

"What about parole?"

"He will be lucky to receive parole." The man laughed. "No judge is lenient enough to grant the accused that."

"You'd be surprised how things may turn last minute. As a lawyer, you know this far too well."

"Oh, I'm no lawyer. I'm an investigative journalist. Bringing that man to justice has been my life long goal, and soon it shall be achieved."

"Perhaps you shouldn't be speaking to me about the case. It's no longer in my hands." Elric's mother tried to evade the man and scanned him for any hidden microphones or cameras.

"Do not worry. I'm not recording you." The man assured. "I wouldn't want to be sued by such a formidable lawyer as yourself and loose my license. What I'm more concerned about is that man's daughter who seems to have followed her father's footsteps. Word from my sourses is she came to you to protect her from her father. Perhaps you'd like to discuss and expound on this subject in a much more convenient location?"

"I'd rather not." Elric's mother declined politely and stood up.

"It will be public soon enough. You know she has committed crimes too and you seem to be protecting those she is a threat to."

"Excuse me?"

"Did she burn down her family home on purpose? Who was behind it? There appears to be more that this court doesn't know that you've purposely chosen to hide."

"I'm I being interrogated?" Elric's mother asked, choosing to cooperate rather than call the man out. This was not the place to cause a scene. "You are invited to come to a my office and ask me all you like, with a microphone and a camera if you wish."

"I think I already got what I came for."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

The man let a low laugh then added. "See you in two hours. Your generous acceptance to be interviewed will be dependent on the verdict given out today."