The prosecution's case against Hu Jun, Ma Hu, and the others came to trial.
All parties took their seats.
Once the pretrial preparations were complete, the collegial panel members entered.
After the presiding judge struck the gavel,
the prosecution began setting out the charges against Hu Jun, Ma Hu, and the others one by one.
"Defendant Hu Jun accepted bribes and substantial benefits, and committed favoritism and fraud in the first-instance case against Xue and the others."
"These included cash, gifts, and other items worth nearly 700,000 in total."
"The evidence is conclusive, and the facts of the crime are clear. On this basis, the prosecution brings charges against Hu Jun."
"Recommended sentence: eight years of fixed-term imprisonment."
"Defendant Ma Hu committed favoritism and fraud in the case against Xue."
"..."
"Recommended sentence: three years of fixed-term imprisonment."
"..."
After laying out the charges against Hu Jun, Ma Hu, and the others,
the public prosecutor continued describing the circumstances, offenses, and course of events involving the remaining people concerned.
The statement took nearly half an hour.
Once it was finished,
the public prosecutor looked toward the judges' bench.
"Presiding Judge, the prosecution has concluded its statement."
Bang, bang, bang!
The presiding judge struck the gavel and asked the lawyers representing Hu Jun, Ma Hu, and the others to make their statements.
In this trial,
the relevant facts and grounds had already been presented, and the chain of evidence was complete. There was almost no room for Hu Jun, Ma Hu, and the others to mount a defense.
So...
there were no major twists in the statements made by the lawyers representing Ma Hu and the others.
They focused only on the length of the sentences, hoping the presiding judge would grant them some leniency.
And they made their position clear: