(Minghui.org) The presiding judge of the trial of a Falun Gong practitioner attempted, without success, to deceive his lawyer into quitting from the case two days before the court session.

Mr. Li Shihai was arrested on May 17, 2016 for refusing to renounce Falun Gong, a spiritual discipline being persecuted by the Chinese communist regime. As no law in China criminalizes Falun Gong, the Laixi City resident’s lawyer was determined to defend his innocence.

Judge Bai Wenli called the lawyer on October 18, saying, “Li Shihai said he didn’t want any lawyers to represent him.”

The lawyer shot back, “That’s impossible. I have his signed power of attorney with me right here, and I have the notes of my meetings with him.”

Bai then questioned how the lawyer intended to defend his client. He said that he would enter a not-guilty plea and defend his client based on the law.

Bai blurted out, “Don’t you talk about the law with me!”

The lawyer was taken aback, “Are you kidding me? You’re the judge, and I’m the defense lawyer. We should all follow the law.”

During the trial on October 20, Bai repeatedly interrupted the lawyer in the beginning, but she relented after he protested her violation of his right to defend his client in court.

While 30 agents occupied a large section of the courtroom, only Mr. Li’s brother and elderly mother were allowed inside. Two of his relatives, Zhao Minghua and Wang Yongcheng, were arrested and had their IDs confiscated while trying to attend the trial. They were targeted because they also practice Falun Gong.