Mattinger’s Return to the Courtroom

Richard Mattinger’s confidence in legal defense and his own professional history are tested when he faces Leinen in a murder trial.

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A Famous Advocate

A Famous Advocate A defense lawyer’s reputation Richard Mattinger earns renown in the terrorism trials of the 1970s, where he insists on the rights of defendants even amid public hostility. He treats fair procedure as the foundation of justice. A changed practice With time, his clients become powerful business figures and he appears less often in court. He still believes in the rule of law, but senses that his earlier battles may have lost their meaning.

Taking the Accessory Brief

Taking the Accessory Brief A swift assignment Mattinger arranges to represent the Meyer family’s interests after receiving authorization from Johanna. He quickly obtains information from police and company sources. Professional routine At first he approaches the case with the confidence of a senior advocate, expecting to manage a familiar kind of proceeding. The hidden historical issue will later disrupt that confidence.

Counsel to a Young Rival

Counsel to a Young Rival A private warning Mattinger advises Leinen not to withdraw from the case and insists that a lawyer must defend an accepted client. He sees the advice as a test of professional duty, not merely a tactic. A complicated mentorship He invites Leinen to his chambers and studies the young lawyer’s abilities. Their relationship begins with respect, though Mattinger also knows that an inexperienced opponent could benefit him.

The Historical Challenge

The Historical Challenge Protecting the victim’s reputation Mattinger argues that the reprisal killing may have been legally permissible under the standards of the time. He calls Dr Schwan to interpret the historical file and appears to establish Meyer’s legal innocence. A tactical victory His questioning persuades the courtroom that the prosecution was discontinued because the shooting was lawful. But the underlying reason is not yet clear, leaving his conclusion vulnerable to Leinen’s cross-examination.

A Defeat and an Offer

A Defeat and an Offer The argument overturned Leinen establishes that the earlier investigation ended because of a limitation rule, not an adjudication of Meyer’s guilt. Mattinger acknowledges the courtroom defeat rather than disguising it. A professional invitation He tells Leinen that they differ over the force of changing social judgment, then offers him a partnership. The offer recognizes Leinen’s talent while leaving their argument about law and justice unresolved.

The decades before the Collini case

The first day after Meyer’s murder

The first week of Leinen’s defense

After Leinen reveals Meyer’s wartime past

After Leinen’s final questioning