The crucial point for determination in this case was not the first issue, whether there had been premeditation.
It was the second issue: whether Dong Baihao had known Dong Guoguo was under fourteen.
Under fourteen, she was a young child; fourteen or older, she was a woman.
That made a huge difference in terms of subjective intent!
It was the key factor in determining whether the circumstances warranted a heavier sentence!
If Dong Baihao was found to have known Dong Guoguo was under fourteen and chosen to assault her by force,
then he had formed the subjective intent to violate a young child.
That would make the circumstances more heinous.
It would become much harder for his voluntary surrender and meritorious service to earn him a reduced sentence.
At the judges' bench, after ruling on the first issue,
Xu Rufeng swept his gaze over the seats of all parties in the trial.
"None of the parties has raised any objection to the determination on the first issue."
"We will now proceed to the second issue."
"Whether Dong Baihao knew Dong Guoguo was under fourteen."
After saying this, Xu Rufeng looked up at the victim's counsel's seat.
"Does counsel for the victim have any views to present on this point?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
Su Bai answered, "On this point, we believe Dong Baihao knew Dong Guoguo was under fourteen."
"First, there is something Feng Yunxia has just stated."
"Dong Baihao frequently asked about Dong Guoguo, and when he saw her, he would often greet her or joke with her."
"In these circumstances, Feng Yunxia told Dong Baihao Dong Guoguo's age on multiple occasions."
"As someone who showed concern for a widow and her fatherless daughter, and paid particular attention to Dong Guoguo,"
"he could not have been unaware of Dong Guoguo's