On September 12th, the trial of Zhang Xiaoning, who is accused of killing the prominent New York lawyer Li Jinjin, entered its fourth day with a shocking display of evidence. The courtroom replayed footage captured by the police body cameras showing Li Jinjin bleeding profusely and covered in blood and flesh after being stabbed. Additionally, Zhang Xiaoning’s lawyer, Scott Celestin, revealed that the defense doctor had revised their psychiatric evaluation to indicate “Extreme Emotional Disturbance” (EED) instead. The judge deemed the defense’s disclosure of evidence to be severely irregular.
Three witnesses testified that day, including two police officers and a forensic expert. The prosecution presented two videos as evidence: one showing Zhang Xiaoning being arrested and taken to the precinct, and the other depicting the bloody scene inside Li Jinjin’s office upon the police’s arrival.
According to the videos, police rushed to Li Jinjin’s law office upon receiving the call, where they found Li Jinjin’s assistant, Chris, restraining Zhang Xiaoning. She was later handcuffed and moved to a conference room, visibly panting heavily. Inside Li Jinjin’s office, the police discovered him lying face down in a pool of blood. They immediately began administering CPR upon flipping him over.
As they turned Li Jinjin over, his upper body was described as grotesquely mangled, covered in blood on his neck, chest, and face – a distressing sight. Despite resuscitation efforts, he remained unresponsive. Meanwhile, in the conference room, Zhang Xiaoning, sitting on a chair, broke down in tears and sobbed uncontrollably. A curved knife was found in her green jacket, along with scissors, her Chinese passport, driver’s license, and several papers inside her blue backpack.
The third witness, a forensic expert, testified that the DNA analysis from the blood-stained knives indicated a high percentage of Li Jinjin’s DNA on one blade and a significant presence of Zhang Xiaoning’s DNA on the other, showing clear connections.
Regarding the defense’s argument of “Extreme Emotional Disturbance” (EED) supported by Dr. Goldsmith’s report, submitted the night before by Scott Celestin, the prosecution argued that the defense had not cooperated in disclosing evidence. The judge expressed concerns over the irregularity of the defense’s actions, emphasizing the importance of fair and balanced proceedings.
The judge referenced previous instances where the defense did not pursue psychiatric defense options, stating that the last-minute submission of the doctor’s report was unfair to the prosecution. Despite the defense’s attempt to introduce EED as a defense, the incomplete disclosure of the defense doctor’s evidence remained problematic.
The judge stressed the need for a fair and balanced process, allowing the defense doctor to testify if the defense chose to do so. The defense’s diagnosis of the defendant as “insane” conflicted with the defendant’s instructions not to pursue insanity defense. Consequently, the defense doctor would be restricted in using the term “insanity” during testimony. The prosecution’s doctor would be permitted to review the defense doctor’s testimony.
The trial is scheduled to continue next Monday, with the judge indicating a potential conclusion around September 18th or 19th, as previously planned.