...
On March 21, Branden's case began.
A total of 56 defendants, including Branden, Merinda, Pockmark (the group master), Wangle, Jessica, Leon (the abbot of the GY Temple) and Nikhil, were charged with 12 crimes under the Criminal Trial Division of the City Y Intermediate People's Court.
In the large courtroom, 56 defendants stood in a row, with 112 bailiffs behind them.
In the solemn courtroom, the public prosecutor stood up and read, "In 1998, the defendant Brandan privately asked Leon for help to look for a girl. In the following months, Merinda, Leon, and his brother Nikhil started human trafficking. Brandan, Merinda, Leon, and Nikhil were the organizers and leaders..."
