Chapter 90 Chapter 3 Affected by many factors, the investigation...
The time it takes to solve a murder case is often uncertain, influenced by numerous factors. This depends on whether the case is clear, whether there are clear leads, whether the suspect is accurate, whether there is sufficient evidence, whether the arrest process is smooth, and so on.
If any of these links goes wrong, it is very likely that the problem will last for days, weeks, months or even years.
The Electricity Bureau Community case seems relatively simple. First of all, the deceased was a foreigner, had few friends locally, and had a narrow social circle, which reduced the scope of suspects.
Secondly, there is already a very precise suspect in this case, and that is Cui Yang, the roommate who lived with the deceased.
He was already very disliked, and his loss of contact and escape increased his suspicion of committing a crime, not to mention that during the surrounding investigations and inquiries, the residents of the same unit building did not have a good impression of his roommate.
According to the landlady, the first person who came to see the house was not the deceased, but Cui Yang.
Because the man had a slight limp, she had specifically emphasized the high floor and asked him to consider it. Cui Yang said he didn't mind and followed her up to the seventh floor to see the room. He said the size was perfect and the decor was nice, but he hoped the price could be negotiated.
The landlady asked him where he was from. Cui Yang said he was from Cheongdam, that he had just graduated from university, and that he was a stable and long-term resident.
Seeing that he was fair-skinned and spoke softly, the landlady thought he was a quiet and polite young man. It was not easy for him to have such a leg problem, so he was not a bad person in society. After much deliberation, the landlord finally agreed to reduce the rent from 750 to 650 per month.
This price is extremely cheap. After all, it is a whole suite, fully furnished and equipped with appliances. It’s just on a higher floor, which is not a big deal. It also comes with an open-air balcony.
The tenant and the landlord had a pleasant communication and soon set a date to sign the contract. However, there were two people who came to pay the money and sign that day.
The landlady was out playing mahjong at the time, and her husband was responsible for signing the contract, so she waited until both of them moved in before she realized that they were living together.
Once, she encountered the two of them going upstairs and asked what their relationship was. The deceased Zhuang Ying did not say anything, so Cui Yang was the first to speak and said that the two were just ordinary friends.
But the landlady found that the relationship between the two was a little abnormal. They were often seen holding hands and arm in arm, which seemed a little too close.
The suspect, Cui Yang, who had a limp, seemed to have a bad temper. It wasn't that he was particularly bad to his neighbors, but he was particularly bad to the deceased, Zhuang Ying.
The interview records of the landlord's wife, her husband and their daughter clearly described that they often saw the suspect bossing the deceased around, beating and scolding him, and more than once he kicked the deceased out of the door at night. Sometimes it was very late and the neighbors downstairs could still hear the deceased knocking on the door outside.
The landlady's daughter said:
I usually have classes most of the time, so I don't know them very well. I only run into them occasionally when I'm going up and down the stairs. Because their room is above my bedroom, I sometimes hear some strange noises...
One day, our teacher gave us a lot of homework. After I finished it, I remembered I hadn't taken out the trash. Worried I'd forgotten it the next day, I got up before bed and put it outside. As soon as I opened the door, I saw the upstairs tenant (the deceased Zhuang Ying) had returned, clutching two full shopping bags. I probably said hello, saying I forgot. A short while later, just as I closed the door and hadn't returned to my room, I heard a knock on the upstairs door. Bang, bang, bang, bang... I could vaguely hear him (the deceased Zhuang Ying) pleading in a very humble tone, saying he was late and asking him (the suspect Cui Yang) not to be angry.
What time was it? I can't really remember, maybe around 11:30? The next night, I ran into him (the deceased Zhuang Ying) again while taking out the trash. I remember his face was red and swollen, like he'd been hit. But maybe I didn't see clearly; the streetlights were pretty dim in that area...
The landlady said:
[Huh? What's their relationship? I definitely don't think this is normal. Anyway, I saw Xiaozhuang (the deceased Zhuang Ying) with injuries on his body several times. I even saw him with a bruise on his forehead. He covered his head with a tissue and went downstairs to sell medicine. Ouch, that blood. If I had known this, I wouldn't have rented to them.]
Hey…Officer, you don't know, I spent quite a bit of money renovating that upstairs apartment. I rented it out for a few months but couldn't find anyone. Many people complained about the high floor. At the time, I figured it might as well be empty, so I could collect some rent. Who knew this would happen? I'm so unlucky…]
The landlady's husband said:
I don't interact with them much, only going upstairs twice. Once, the water heater broke in the first month after we moved in, and the second time, I lost my keys and had them rekeyed. The rest of the time, I'm not home much, so I'm not very familiar with them. It's okay to run into them occasionally, but they don't really talk much...
Oh, by the way, when we were fixing the water heater, the guy with the leg problem (suspect Cui Yang) was in the room. I mentioned it was clean, and he said his friend (deceased Zhuang Ying) did it. I was bored at the time, so I chatted with him while we were fixing the water heater. I asked him why he wasn't working, and he stammered, saying he wasn't working outside, but was making money online. I asked him why he was living with his friends all the time, which was inconvenient, and why he hadn't mentioned finding a partner. The guy he shared the room with (deceased Zhuang Ying) happened to come home, heard it, and asked in a very rude tone when the repair would be done. If not, just replace it with a new one. It was like he was trying to get me out. Anyway, I actually found that guy (deceased Zhuang Ying) quite difficult to get along with...
The two guards at the Electricity Bureau's residential complex said:
I'm not very familiar with that suspect, Cui Yang. He rarely goes out. I can see the other one, who's taller, Zhuang Ying, every morning when I go to work...
[Once I was smoking in a pavilion at the back door, and I ran into the two of them sneaking to the corner of a building. I followed them and found that they suddenly started arguing. Oh, the one (the suspect Cui Yang) said he wanted to buy something or something, and the other (the deceased Zhuang Ying) said that his salary had not been paid yet and asked if he could wait a while.
Officer, you didn't see the scene, but I saw it with my own eyes. He (the suspect Cui Yang) even kicked him (the deceased Zhuang Ying) and made him kneel down, saying he was going to punish him. I thought it was too much at the time and wanted to go over and talk him over, but that guy (the deceased Zhuang Ying) didn't know how to appreciate my kindness. I clearly spoke up for him, but he turned around and said it had nothing to do with me, saying that he (the suspect Cui Yang) didn't usually do that... Well, I can only say, mind your own business.
Before the incident? Yes, that's right. The night before, I saw them entering the complex one after the other. It seemed like they were arguing, but I don't know the reason. Anyway, that guy (the deceased Zhuang Ying) worked in that building over there and had a high salary. I don't know why he ended up living here...
A resident of the same building said:
[I've noticed something's amiss with those two guys. They're two grown men, but they go in and out together every day, living together like a married couple. It's outrageous...]
The fruit shop downstairs that I often visit said:
He (the deceased Zhuang Ying) often bought very expensive oranges, saying his friends loved them. They cost him dozens of dollars each.
The family of the deceased was unwilling to mention the deceased and hung up the phone after several attempts to contact them. However, the statements of the few friends who could be contacted were more consistent.
They said he was once a well-known young man, but he actually fell in love with a man. In order to be with his lover, he even faked his death and eloped to a small town to live in seclusion. They had previously investigated and found that he was a fraud, idle and domestic abuser. A friend had said that he would take him away, but he refused. Now he was dead, he deserved it!
Anyone who has read these records can picture Cui Yang in their mind: a bad-tempered, habitual liar who lives off his wife.
He told people he was a top graduate from Yenching University, but according to investigation, he hadn't even graduated from junior high school. He claimed to have an online income, but the only real income he had came from his roommate (Zhuang Ying). It could be said that he was practically supported by his roommate.
On the day of the incident, the two seemed to have had a fierce argument, and the various adult products found in the bedside table in the room also showed that the two were indeed not ordinary roommates. Even the bruises and scars on the deceased's body were most likely related to this roommate.
Was it for money, for love, or a murder in the heat of passion?
On the third day after the incident, thanks to the persistence of the Qingtan police, they finally obtained the consent of the deceased's family. The information obtained from the autopsy was not much different from Li Zheng's previous speculation.
So far, the whole case seems to be very clear. First of all, there were no obvious fatal injuries on the body of the deceased Zhuang Ying, and the cause of death was excessive blood loss.
Secondly, the deceased did not show any signs of struggle or resistance. Finally, apart from the two of them, no fingerprints, footprints, DNA, or other traces of a third person were found at the scene.
Combining all the above information, everyone felt that the murderer of this case was already identified, including Li Zheng at that time.
Identify the suspect and begin the arrest.
While using technical means to track the location of mobile phones and electronic devices in the name of the suspect, the police also searched all nearby surveillance cameras, including the residences of the suspect's parents and relatives, and arranged patrols and stakeouts.
At the same time, assist in issuing a wanted order.
The case progressed very smoothly, and we received news on the third day after it was sent out.
At noon that day, Li Zheng was eating in the cafeteria of the bureau. He originally occupied a table by himself, but Tian Chen came straight to his table after sorting out the documents.
Several colleagues at the table next to us were talking about the case while eating, the things scattered at the scene, the relationship between the deceased and the suspect, and where he would hide. Several people had different opinions.
At about this time, Li Zheng's phone rang. It was an intern on his team, and the first thing he said was, "Captain Li, the person has been apprehended."
"Where did you catch it?"
As soon as Li Zheng opened his mouth, the cafeteria suddenly became quiet.
It must be said that Cui Yang was really good at hiding. When most people thought he must have secretly run away, he was actually hiding in a long-abandoned basement in the community.
This was only three days after the incident.
It was indeed a happy event to be able to catch the suspect in such a short time. Among them, Li Zheng's colleague Pan Song had the biggest reaction. He didn't even bother to eat, but stood up and left after wiping his mouth.
As he passed by Li Zheng, Pan Song turned back to look at him, and said with concern, "Captain Li, take your time."
The atmosphere in the cafeteria suddenly became subtle, and several secret gazes were directed at Li Zheng, some with inquiry, some with curiosity, and even some with sympathy.
The first one who lost his patience was Tian Chen.
He is the slowest learner among Li Zheng's two disciples, but he is also the most innocent and speaks very directly.
"What does he mean by this? Everyone knows that you, Master, have been following this case all along. You've been on duty for several nights. Now that the person has been caught, he's the one who's so eager to take the credit? I'm really impressed..."
This is too straightforward,
But it’s true.
Under the document that homicide cases must be solved, units with high efficiency in solving cases will naturally receive various rewards, be commended, and be awarded titles, which is a great honor for both the individuals and the entire Qingtan City Public Security Bureau.
If this murder case in the Electricity Bureau community can be solved so smoothly and within a week, all the people involved in their bureau will definitely get a title, right?
Li Zheng and Pan Song's relationship wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. After all, if Li Zheng hadn't been transferred here three years ago, he would have been the most likely leader, and wouldn't still be a deputy leader.
"Okay, stop complaining, pack up and go." Li Zheng was not as angry as Tian Chen. He ate the last piece of potato, put away the tray, and took a corn bun from the food area and stuffed it into his mouth. "Let's go..."
[As long as the only suspect is apprehended and brought to justice, and his motive and the entire process of the crime are revealed from his mouth, the case will be closed.]
This was Li Zheng’s thought at the time.
But after one night, the only suspect in the case, Cui Yangren, was indeed caught. However, he only admitted that he had a little dispute with the deceased and that their relationship was not that of ordinary roommates. He took the initiative to explain how he and the deceased met and his experience of cheating people online a few years ago. However, he refused to admit that he had killed anyone and even showed a state of surprise at the death of the deceased.
"You didn't kill him, why are you hiding?!"
The person in charge of the interrogation was Pan Song. He always had a bad temper, but he was really good at interrogation. When he frowned and yelled angrily, the people closest to him could even feel the slight vibration of their eardrums.
"I'm warning you to behave properly and explain everything honestly. Don't play any tricks..." Pan Song took out all the photos he had taken during the on-site investigation and put them on the table. "Take a good look at them for yourself..."
"I've said it many times. I really didn't even go upstairs that day, and the reason I didn't go back was because he told me not to go up..."
The suspect Cui Yang was indeed as described by the landlady in the transcript. He had a fair and handsome appearance, deep double eyelid folds, and big, bright eyes. He looked very friendly, but he was obviously very excited in the surveillance video, and his handcuffs rattled.
"I really didn't know he was dead! I've never even seen these photos! I hid because of the signal he left for me, telling me not to go back... I really didn't know he was dead..."
"Keep making it up!" Pan Song sneered. "He was already dead by then, how could he have left you a signal? Why don't you think logically about your lies?"
The young police officer who was recording the incident, someone Li Zheng didn't know well, chimed in, "We checked the scene, and there weren't any footprints or fingerprints from a third person. You say it wasn't you, so tell me who it was? Was it a ghost?"
"I…I don't know either."
Cui Yang lowered his head limply.
"So you're admitting to the murder now?" Pan Song glanced at him, and another officer handed him a form. "Sign it and plead guilty..."
"No, I didn't kill anyone..." Cui Yang frowned and retorted, "I really didn't kill anyone!"
After going around in circles, I'm back to the starting point.
Li Zheng had been watching from the monitoring room, seeing Pan Song becoming increasingly agitated. During a break, he came out and kicked over the trash can outside, cursing, "If I can't pry this bastard open his mouth, I'll write my name upside down..."
The means of coercion that can be used in normal interrogation procedures are nothing more than verbal pressure, environmental pressure, and even the hard interrogation chair that the suspect sits on, the device that fixes his hands and feet, and even the extremely glaring light above his head are all designed to prevent the suspect from sitting properly and resting properly, purely to torture his will.
If all else fails, some people will resort to extraordinary measures. It is perfectly normal to do something in a blind spot where there is no camera. There are various ways to cause pain without leaving any traces that can be detected.
Pan Song was a veteran criminal police officer with many years of experience in this area. Seeing him about to interrogate him again, Li Zheng picked up the walkie-talkie.
"Let me do it."
It was almost ten o'clock in the evening. Li Zheng was the top leader at the scene, and Pan Song, a deputy, had to obey him no matter how much he disobeyed him.
The second interrogation lasted from ten o'clock in the evening until the next morning. Even Pan Song, who said he had to keep watching the surveillance, could not bear to sleep, and the interrogation continued.
At 9:53, Li Zheng came out.
He lit a cigarette in the corridor. After staying up all night, his mental state was naturally not very good. The red bloodshot in his eyes were like spider webs, and the dark circles under his eyes became heavier, making him look even more depressed.
The first words he said were:
"He might... not be the murderer."
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