The managing attorney looked at the apprentice, with whom he had talked before, telling him how to speak so that he might achieve a lenient outcome from the case.
He told the truth, recounting how Johnny had exploited and squeezed his labor, how he had extorted his money, and how he had humiliated him and his mother.
Honestly, such matters… wouldn't necessarily make the judge feel particularly sympathetic, as there were far sillier and pity-invoking situations out there. Initially, he undoubtedly had a compassionate and merciful heart, but after encountering various terrible situations, he had become less prone to anger and less capable of empathizing with the weak.
"It indeed sounds dreadful," he turned to Johnny, "Since you have no defense attorney, you must defend yourself. I need to tell you that you are responsible for every word you say, and each statement you make will determine how things proceed."
"Now, tell me, is what he said true?"
