Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Daredevil #24, by Chip Zdarsky, Mike Hawthorne, JP Mayer, Mattia Iacono and VC's Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
Ever since the start of Chip Zdarsky's run on Daredevil, Matt Murdock has been on a steady downward spiral ever since he accidentally took another man's life as the Man Without Fear. In a routine skirmish with low-level criminal Leo Carraro, Daredevil accidentally killed the crook, an act that shocked the hero to his core. And while Matt's secret identity as Daredevil may have been restored, Daredevil must answer for this murder in the courtroom as Matt reexamines his true feelings about justice, something he had devoted his entire life to as both a lawyer and superhero.
And as Daredevil takes the stand in Daredevil #24, Matt shocks everyone present, including his legal counsel, by deciding to plead guilty to second-degree manslaughter.
In the immediate aftermath of killing Carraro, Matt initially refused to believe he had actually crossed the line and killed someone in defense of Hell's Kitchen. Instead, Matt was convinced the incident was just the latest in a long line of schemes by the Kingpin to ruin his life as Wilson Fisk settled into his new role as the Mayor of New York City. However, a conversation with the Punisher made Matt realize the truth that Carraro's death wasn't part of some elaborate plot but rather a direct consequence of Matt's actions. Matt's acceptance of his own culpability had him don a makeshift Punisher costume as he went out of control before his superhero friends talked him down and brought him back to his senses.
After defending Hell's Kitchen from a coordinated attack by several of his greatest enemies in a bid to drive out residents and acquire the real estate on the cheap. Matt reclaimed his identity as Daredevil and saved his neighborhood before surrendering himself to the authorities for Carraro's murder. While continuing to maintain his secret identity with some help from his twin brother Mike Murdock, Matt's life got even more complicated when ex-girlfriends Elektra Natchios and Kirsten McDuffie returned as he awaited trial.
While Kirsten and Foggy Nelson were both confident that they could fight the case, especially given Daredevil's recent role in defending Hell's Kitchen, Matt is clearly conflicted about the notion of potentially being acquitted for a killing he committed. In a car ride to the courthouse, Daredevil talks to Kirsten about how Matt hurt her in their break-up, with the attorney unaware that Daredevil is the man she used to love. As Matt enters the courtroom, he realizes that many of his fellow superheroes have come to see how the court case will go, dressed in their civilian attire to largely remain incognito. Before this audience, Matt moves forward by accepting a plea deal from the prosecutors rather than fight the case.
While the terms of the plea deal are unknown, it will likely result in a reduced sentence for Daredevil as he faces the consequences for his actions. Even at a reduced sentence, Daredevil likely will have a certain amount of jail time for pleading to Carraro's murder. And while this certainly won't be the first time that Matt Murdock has been convicted and sent behind bars, Matt's confession has underscored his lifelong commitment to justice and that idea that no man is above the law, not even a man without fear.