It was the final statement segment, an important opportunity for the defendant to express their attitude toward pleading guilty or to assert their innocence. But Cheng Chuxiao seemed to have completely abandoned hope for a reduced sentence and simply spoke her mind. This meant she still believed her actions were not wrong and felt it was right to disseminate fabricated stories online. This was undoubtedly a provocation against the solemnity and fairness of the law in the courtroom, and contempt for Judgment Chief Zhou Quanmin and all members of the collegial panel. Such behavior was a major taboo in any court.
