That’s possible. But there’s another possible explanation: that Lucius really intended to demand a lesser punishment—as he said himself, and as Dumbledore et al. had predicted—but changed his mind on seeing that he had broad support for a harsher punishment. Which would fit my theory regarding H&C, especially if H&C is Quirrel, who knows how Harry regards Azkaban.
That’s possible. But there’s another possible explanation: that Lucius really intended to demand a lesser punishment—as he said himself, and as Dumbledore et al. had predicted—but changed his mind on seeing that he had broad support for a harsher punishment. Which would fit my theory regarding H&C, especially if H&C is Quirrel, who knows how Harry regards Azkaban.
Remember that Malfoy controls the Daily Prophet, which called for Azkaban before the trial began.