America: From a Fallen Child Star to the Head of the University of the West

Chapter 77 Intentional or Accidental?

Newark, the apartment Sean is temporarily renting.

This is an ordinary two-bedroom apartment located on the edge of the city center.

Sean was curled up on the sofa, holding a bag of potato chips, his eyes fixed on the TV on the wall.

The screen is showing a Fox News political talk show. The host and guests are engaged in a heated discussion about the shooting in New Jersey and the series of social controversies it has sparked.

"We're now connecting to Washington," the host said. "Republican National Committee Chairwoman Patricia Stone has just released a statement."

The scene shifts to a blonde, blue-eyed middle-aged woman standing in front of a pile of microphones, her expression serious and confident. Patricia Stone, one of the most controversial Republican leaders of the past two years, is known for her outspoken style and hardline conservative stance.

“What I’m saying is,” Ms. Stone’s voice was clear and firm, “I don’t like any shooting. Any. No matter who fired the shot, no matter who the target was.”

"But what disturbs me even more is that someone actually brought a powerful, fully loaded handgun to a so-called 'peaceful protest'."

She paused for a moment, as if to emphasize what she was about to say.

"Moreover, reports indicate that this person carried not only one magazine, but also a full spare magazine. What does this mean? It means that he came prepared. He went there not to exercise his First Amendment rights, but to look for an opportunity to fire."

"So my question is: don't those who encouraged him to protest, those who instilled hatred in him, bear any responsibility?"

Sean scratched his head and stuffed a handful of potato chips into his mouth.

Her remarks clearly implied that he was the mastermind. Two fully loaded magazines? He didn't even know this detail before. It seems the prosecution and the media have begun a joint propaganda war.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Sean said without turning his head.

Vincent Carter walked in, carrying a briefcase, looking like he was about to leave.

"Pan, are you still watching this garbage?" Vincent glanced at the TV screen. "Stop watching it, it'll only ruin your mood."

"I'm doing public opinion research, Carter," Sean said, turning off the TV. "Where are you going?"

"This morning is the continuation of the trial for Chen Kaiwen's case." Vincent straightened his tie. "Attorney David Lin and I are going to court to defend him. You stay here and don't go anywhere."

"I know, security is downstairs." Sean spread his hands helplessly. "You're protecting me like a panda."

"This is a necessary precaution." Vincent's tone left no room for negotiation. "You're the target of everyone's criticism now, and there's no guarantee that some extremist won't attack you. You should know that the Philadelphia police haven't caught the last person who attacked the officer."

"Okay, okay." Sean stood up. "Is there anything I can do? Like, post a tweet in support of Kevin Chen? Let everyone know we're on each other's side?"

"From a legal perspective, I do not recommend that you do this."

Why?

"Because every word you say now will be amplified and interpreted by the media." Vincent walked towards the door. "If you post something that gets misinterpreted, it will give the prosecution more ammunition."

"Besides," he glanced back at Sean, "your case isn't closed yet. You have to go to court yourself in three days. Save your energy."

After saying that, Vincent pushed open the door and left, leaving Sean alone in the room.

Sean sighed and sat back down on the sofa.

Meanwhile, in Newark federal court.

Today's trial is different from three days ago because the defendant this time is not Sean Penn, but Kevin Chen.

Chen Kaiwen is charged with: first-degree assault, unlawful firing, and endangering public safety.

If convicted on all charges, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

Inside courtroom number 5, the jury was filled with twelve citizens. Judge William Herrith was still presiding over the trial, but this time he was facing a different defendant.

Chen Kaiwen, dressed in a clean white shirt, sat in the defendant's seat.

-

Two people were sitting in his defense counsel's seat: David Lin and Vincent Carter.

"This court will now continue the hearing of New Jersey v. Kevin Chen." Judge Herris struck the gavel. "Prosecutor, please call your next witness."

In the prosecutor's dock, the prosecutor in charge of the case was a woman named Erin McCarthy. She was in her forties and appeared shrewd and capable.

"Prosecutors have summoned Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey."

Morey returned to the witness stand.

It's him again—

His right arm was still bandaged, and his face was even more somber than three days ago. Clearly, his outburst in court had made him a target of media ridicule, which only fueled his anger.

"Mr. Morey," McCarthy began, "please describe to the jury the circumstances surrounding the shooting."

"My car was slowly pulling out of the training center gates," Morey said, his voice choked with suppressed anger. "The crowd surrounded the car, and I couldn't move at all. Then I saw a young Asian man squeeze to the side of the car window, pull a gun out of his pocket, and fire a shot at me."

"Did you have any premonition beforehand? Did you notice any unusual behavior from the defendant?"

“No. He was just like any other protester. I didn’t realize there was any danger until he pulled out his gun,” Morey said. “I thought his gun was unloaded!”

These words left everyone speechless, both amused and exasperated.

"Ahem, how are your injuries after the shooting?"

"The bullet pierced my right shoulder." Morey pointed to his bandage. "The doctor said if it had been any more off, it would have damaged an artery."

I almost died there.

McCarthy nodded and turned to the jury. "Mr. Morey is the direct victim of this shooting. He was shot at close range by the defendant while completely unprepared and narrowly escaped death. This is not an impulsive or crime of passion; it was a premeditated act of violence."

"Objection." David Lin stood up. "The prosecutor is making a concluding statement, and there's a difference between intentional and unintentional."

"Objection valid," Judge Herris said. "Ms. McCarthy, you may now ask your questions."

"No further questions." McCarthy sat down.

It was the defense's turn to conduct cross-examination.

David Lin stood up and walked to the witness stand. "Mr. Morey, I have a few questions for you."

"Please go ahead."

"Three days ago, at another hearing, a witness named Jerome Banks testified. He claimed that before the shooting, he heard you say some racially charged things to the protesters outside the car. Do you remember that?"

Morey's expression changed drastically. "That person is lying."

"He's lying?" David Lin raised an eyebrow. "Then, Mr. Morey, please tell the jury what you said to the person outside the car at the time?"

I didn't say anything.

"Didn't say anything?" David Lin picked up a document from the table. "Then please explain this document. This is an audio analysis report of the video footage we extracted from the phone of a protester at the scene. After analysis, experts concluded that about thirty seconds before the shooting, a male voice did come from inside the car, saying a racially discriminatory phrase."

"Objection," McCarthy stood up. "The defense failed to disclose this evidence beforehand."

"Your Honor," David Lin explained, "this evidence was analyzed just last night. We sent it to the prosecution via email before today's court session."

Judge Herris looked at McCarthy. "Has the prosecution received this document?"

McCarthy flipped through the documents beside him, his expression somewhat grim. "—Received."

"Then the objection is overruled. The defense may proceed."

David Lin displayed the report on the large screen. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the audio waveform analysis. At the timestamp of 10:27:43, the phrase 'Yellow Monkey' can be clearly identified. Voiceprint analysis shows that this voice is highly similar to Mr. Morey's speeches in other public occasions."

Morey's face turned bright red. "This is a fake."

"Forgery?" David Lin approached the witness stand. "Mr. Morey, if this is forgery, would you be willing to undergo further voiceprint analysis? We can have an independent expert appointed by the court do it."

"Back then—my PR team kept telling me not to say similar things earlier, but you know how psychological suggestion works. It was completely unconscious!" His initially loud voice gradually lowered. "I might have said some inappropriate things. But that was because they were attacking my car, and I was terrified."

"Something inappropriate?" David Lin pressed. "What exactly did you mean?"

"I don't remember."

“You don’t remember?” David Lin turned to the jury. “Judges, the witness claims he doesn’t remember what he said. But we have audio evidence that he used the racially charged term ‘yellow monkey’.”

"Now, please imagine this: a young Chinese American, whose family has lived on this land for generations, is called a 'yellow monkey' to his face by a white executive at a protest. At that moment, all his pent-up anger and resentment are ignited."

"Objection!" McCarthy stood up again. "The defense attorney is making inflammatory statements."

"Objection is valid," Judge Herris warned. "Attorney Lin, please watch your step."

"Okay, I retract my statement, Your Honor," David Lin said weakly.

But he has already achieved his goal.