As spring gives way to summer, the air is brimming with vitality. On April 25, the fifth and sixth qualifying rounds of the 13th “Kyoto Cup” Criminal Moot Court Competition were successfully held. Contestants engaged in intense debates, delivering witty and eloquent arguments that sparked intellectual sparks in the courtroom.

Case Overview

This competition centered on the case of Kang Lei’s involuntary manslaughter: On the evening of May 24, 2012, Mu Hui behaved erratically after drinking alcohol and assaulted several people in succession. Subsequently, Mu Hui chased others while wielding a pair of barber’s scissors. During the chase, he stabbed Kang Lei in the finger. Kang Lei then chased after Mu Hui with a wooden stool and struck him several times on the back. Mu Hui fell to the ground and died despite medical efforts to resuscitate him. According to a forensic medical examination, Mu Hui’s death was consistent with acute heart failure resulting from multiple factors—including pre-existing cardiac hypertrophy, multiple bodily injuries, alcohol consumption, and emotional agitation during the altercation. The suspect, Kang Lei, is under investigation by the Pingyuan District Branch of the Sanjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and has been transferred to the Pingyuan District People’s Procuratorate of Sanjiang City for review and prosecution.

Competition Process

The competition consists of four segments: opening proceedings, evidentiary hearing, closing arguments, and judges’ comments.

After each match, the judges provided professional feedback on the teams’ performances: First, the judges fully affirmed the contestants’ overall performance and expressed their high expectations for them. Subsequently, they provided detailed feedback on aspects such as adherence to court procedures, legal document drafting, application of the law, and logical structure. They identified the focal points of contention between the prosecution and defense, offered specific suggestions for improvement regarding the prosecution’s presentation of arguments and the defense’s rhetorical techniques, and provided the contestants with valuable practical advice.

Attorney Zhu Kun

Attorney Xiang Sujing

Attorney Guan Jian

Competition Results

Main Tournament Points Match #5: Prosecution 3:0 Defense

Best Debater: Zhao Chenyu (Lead Prosecutor)

Main Tournament Points Match #6: Prosecution 0:3 Defense

Best Debater: Miao Cheng (Lead Defense Counsel)

Educational Division Round 5: Prosecution 1 – Defense 2

Best Debater: Tang Fengsheng (Second Defense Counsel)

Educational Division Round 6: Prosecution 0 – Defense 3

Best Debater: Sun Yiming (Lead Defense Counsel)

The “Kyoto Cup” Criminal Moot Court Competition points series has now successfully concluded. The finals will be held on May 10. Everyone is welcome to attend and watch the competition.