"Good day, Your Honor," Lucas said, showing appropriate respect to Justice Odell.
"Lucas," Justice Odell asked calmly, "do you dispute the two charges brought by the plaintiffs?"
After stepping up to the podium, Lucas looked directly at the judge and replied,
"Yes, Your Honor. I do."
"First," Lucas continued, "I wish to contest the criminal charges brought against me personally."
"Very well," Odell said, adjusting his reading glasses. "Please proceed."
Lucas nodded and spoke clearly:
"Your Honor, members of the court and the jury, before presenting my argument, I would like to submit a video recording as evidence."
"Approved," Odell replied.
Soon, footage appeared on the large screen in the courtroom.
The video showed Lucas rushing out from his home and rescuing Carrie, Sersi, and the others from the jaws of three mutated flying creatures.
Lucas paused the video and turned to Justice Odell.
"Your Honor, the individuals shown in this footage are my family and close friends."
"When I saw that they were in immediate, life-threatening danger, I intervened to save them. This action does not violate any constitutional law, does it?"
He continued without pause:
"Second, those three creatures were not citizens of America. They illegally entered the country, destroyed public property, threatened civilians, and attempted murder."
"My elimination of them violated neither the Constitution nor criminal law. Is that correct?"
Justice Odell nodded.
"That is correct. In fact, the City of Philadelphia might consider awarding you a Model Citizen Commendation."
Light laughter rippled through the courtroom.
Lucas continued,
"Now, please view this next video."
The screen switched to footage recorded before Lucas engaged Kro in combat.
After the video ended, Lucas turned toward the prosecutor.
"Prosecutor Dent, before engaging Kro—yes, Kro was the name of that creature—I issued a clear verbal warning, audible to everyone present."
"I also deliberately delayed my approach, giving nearby civilians sufficient time to evacuate."
He then faced Justice Odell once more.
"Your Honor, did I fulfill my duty to warn and allow evacuation?"
Odell nodded decisively.
"Yes. While not explicitly mandated by statute, your conduct fulfilled a citizen's duty of care. This court accepts that."
Prosecutor Harvey Dent immediately stood.
"Your Honor, I object!"
"Objection overruled," Odell said firmly.
"The defendant has not finished his statement. Prosecutor Dent, please sit down."
"…Yes, Your Honor," Dent replied reluctantly, returning to his seat.
Justice Odell gestured for Lucas to continue.
Lucas raised his voice slightly, projecting confidence.
"I admit that my battle with Kro caused extensive damage to buildings and public infrastructure."
"However, I acted as a American citizen, fighting a hostile entity that had invaded American territory."
"Please remember this—I fought alone."
"Where were the Philadelphia police? Where were SWAT, firefighters, the National Guard?"
"Where were the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, or the so-called world's strongest military?"
Lucas's voice rose sharply.
"They were nowhere to be seen. Not a single unit arrived. I stood alone."
He looked directly at the jury.
"So I ask you—members of the jury, Your Honor, fellow citizens—
should the civil damages and criminal responsibility truly fall upon me?"
"Upon a man who risked his life to protect the entire city?"
The courtroom fell completely silent.
No one spoke. No one moved.
Even Prosecutor Dent was momentarily speechless.
Then—slowly—members of the jury began to applaud.
The applause spread to the spectators.
Finally, even Justice Odell joined in.
After striking the gavel to restore order, Odell spoke:
"Lucas, your statements are well-reasoned, factually supported, and logically sound. This court accepts your defense."
"No!"
Prosecutor Dent suddenly shouted.
"Your Honor, I have not yet completed my prosecution!"
Odell looked at him coolly.
"Very well. Continue, Prosecutor Dent."
Ignoring the judge's displeasure, Dent turned to Lucas.
"No matter how eloquent you are, you cannot deny this fact—
fifty-four Philadelphia citizens died as a result of your battle with that creature."
"You may escape civil liability, but you can never escape responsibility for those deaths!"
"Your Honor, I request permission to present video testimony from the criminal plaintiffs."
"Granted."
The screen filled with grieving faces—people consumed by hatred and sorrow, accusing Lucas of murder through tears and rage.
When the video ended, Dent pointed at Lucas.
"What do you have to say now?"
Justice Odell turned toward the defense.
"Does the defendant or his counsel wish to contest these fifty-four criminal charges?"
Defense attorney Connor Belmont immediately stood.
"Your Honor, I also request to present video evidence."
"Approved."
The footage that followed consisted of surveillance recordings.
No one questioned their source.
In one clip, a man looted a convenience store while others fled—only to be crushed when a building collapsed from battle shockwaves.
In another, a man attempted to assault a woman during the chaos, only to be killed by falling debris.
A total of twenty-three videos were shown—each exposing human greed, violence, and moral decay.
When the screen went dark, Connor addressed the court.
"Your Honor, these individuals had opportunities to survive."
"They died as a result of their own choices."
"Members of the jury—should responsibility for such deaths truly fall upon my client?"
The fifty jurors exchanged looks and began whispering among themselves.
Dent immediately countered:
"No matter what, their deaths were caused by the battle between Lucas and Kro!"
"And there are still twenty-seven additional deaths you have not addressed!"
"This crime cannot be escaped!"
As Connor prepared to respond, Lucas suddenly stood.
"Your Honor," he said calmly,
"in that case—I plead guilty."
The courtroom exploded.
The live broadcast shattered the internet.
America was in uproar.
_____
T/N:
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