Justifiable Defence Episode 6 Recap
> Justifiable Defence Recap
At the school broadcast station, Duan Yingying was preparing to deliver a speech on being a law-abiding citizen but was unexpectedly replaced. Later, in the school hallway, Yingying discovered that her drawing, which included her father's portrait, had been vandalized with a skull and a knife.
She returned to the broadcast station and, using the school's public address system, demanded that the student responsible apologize, stating they had violated her father's rights of portrait and reputation under the Civil Code, not just school rules. Ms. Lei confronted the school principal seeking an explanation for the incident with Yingying's drawing and the removal from the speech. The principal apologized, citing difficulties due to Director Duan's current situation, and mentioned that speaker replacements could happen.
Ms. Lei, expressing her anger, insisted that the student who vandalized the drawing must publicly apologize to Duan Hongshan's daughter, Duan Yingying, in front of the entire school. Later, in the car, Yingying found the letters she had written to her father in her mother's possession. She asked why her letters were being kept, and Ms. Lei explained that letters with pictures couldn't be sent in.
Yingying, upset, asked if her father was a murderer because teachers and classmates thought so. Ms. Lei firmly denied this, assuring Yingying that she would use facts to prove everyone else was wrong and that her father was not a murderer. Fang Lingyuan spoke with Duan Hongshan, asking if he had encouraged Li Mufeng to participate in a glass art competition. Duan Hongshan confirmed his interest in Li Mufeng and other individuals related to the case, including Fang Lingyuan.
He admitted to wanting to see the legal concept of justifiable defense reactivated. He explained that it had become a "spare legal provision" due to misuse in the 1980s, leading the judicial system to apply it strictly. Duan Hongshan argued that times have changed and it is now an opportune moment. He questioned the purpose of law enforcement if they hesitate to recognize people's right to self-defense during critical moments.
Analyzing the case, Fang Lingyuan decided Li Mufeng did not seem like the mastermind and removed his name from their list of primary suspects. Ding Yi, however, found Li Mufeng suspicious, noting he admitted to giving false testimony and said Duan Hongshan had helped him in the past. Fang Lingyuan felt the Jiang Ting case had brought together everyone with a motive for murder and suspected someone had planned everything.
She recalled Jiang Ting's statement that Zhang Yuan suspected her of cheating because he thought someone else had been in her home, emphasizing this was a significant detail. Fang Lingyuan and Ding Yi investigated how Zhang Yuan could have found Jiang Ting's new address, noting that mailboxes in her apartment building required keys and parcels were delivered directly to doors.
They concluded it was unlikely Zhang Yuan found the address on his own, especially since Jiang Ting claimed she had not contacted anyone from her past or used her old phone for months. They strongly suspected a third person had provided Zhang Yuan with Jiang Ting's location. Reviewing Jiang Ting's statement further, they focused on her comment that Zhang Yuan suspected she didn't cook dinner that night because she had peeled the asparagus, something she never did.
They interpreted this inconsistency in her cooking habit as further evidence that someone else was involved and had planned the events. Jiang Ting, however, denied any planning, stating her actions were a reaction to Zhang Yuan attacking her, which she maintained was justifiable defense. During her interrogation of Jiang Ting, Fang Lingyuan questioned her motive for having the new knife sharpened so excessively if she wasn't planning to kill someone.
Jiang Ting claimed the old knife was broken and she simply bought a new one. Jiang Ting insisted she cooked the asparagus despite Fang Lingyuan pointing out the inconsistency. As Fang Lingyuan was leaving, Jiang Ting commented on how nice her outfit looked, reminiscing about similar outfits and recognizing Fang Lingyuan from school, calling her "Class monitor." This interaction revealed they were classmates. Jiang Ting requested a lawyer and hired Ms. Lei.
Ms. Lei initially hesitated, mentioning her focus was on her ex-husband Duan Hongshan's case. Jiang Ting argued that their situations were connected; her being ruled justifiable defense was crucial to proving Duan Hongshan's innocence against the report filed against him. If she was convicted of intentional homicide, the report against Director Duan would appear true.
Ms. Lei remarked on Jiang Ting's clear reasoning but questioned why she endured years of domestic and mental abuse, resorting to murder as the only solution. Ms. Lei then expressed her personal view that men who abuse their wives deserve to die. Ms. Lei discussed the case with Duan Hongshan, who expressed concern about Fang Lingyuan, feeling she was determined to see Jiang Ting found guilty. Duan Hongshan asked Ms. Lei to observe Fang Lingyuan closely.
Ding Yi also investigated Fang Lingyuan and Jiang Ting's connection after learning they attended Wuyan Third High School. By looking through old school photos online, Ding Yi found a graduation picture showing both Fang Lingyuan and Jiang Ting, believing that uncovering their past secrets might change the outcome of the cases. Duan Hongshan, meanwhile, asked Ms. Lei about their daughter, Yingying, and if she was facing difficulties at school because of his situation.
Ms. Lei assured him that Yingying was strong and resilient, like both of them, and would fight back if provoked. Ding Yi later asked Fang Lingyuan if she knew Jiang Ting and Zhang Yuan from Third Middle School. Fang Lingyuan denied knowing them well and refused to help Ding Yi investigate this connection, stating it was related to the case.
