The courtroom buzzed with a multitude of individuals, the seats filling up rapidly. Though it wasn’t a common sight to see every seat occupied, most were already claimed.
With journalists barred from entry, it seemed likely that those present were primarily family members of the victim. Yi-soo released a subdued sigh.
In a fleeting moment, Yi-soo made eye contact with a colleague stationed at the prosecutor’s bench, a silent acknowledgment passing between them in the pre-amendment era. She offered a slight nod in return.
Kang Jin-won still…
Only a lone representative occupied the opposing lawyer’s bench. Following Jin-won’s arrest, he was promptly ousted from Yoon & Kang.
Though Kang Seok-ho, Jin-won’s father and the vice president, teetered on shaky ground, his resignation couldn’t be coerced without Min-sik, the chief lawyer. Thus, it was agreed he’d retain his title until the verdict.
However, Hyun-seong’s adamant stance left Jin-won without representation from Yoon & Kang. Consequently, it appeared the case had fallen into the hands of the Cho Song law firm.
Seated at the defense lawyer’s bench was a former judge from the Busan High Court Criminal Division. The remaining attorneys occupied a row of spectator seats, their attention focused on their laptops.
A booming voice from the courtroom attendant cut through the murmurs, commanding everyone’s attention.
“Please rise for the entrance of the judge.”
Hyun-seong and Yi-soo, positioned in the back row, complied. Though customary for them to stand from the prosecutor’s bench, the shift to the spectator seats felt unfamiliar as they faced the judge.
Between the imposing rows of judges’ benches, Judge Tae Young-cheol settled into his seat, a figure known to Yi-soo from their shared past trials. In his late fifties, Judge Tae was renowned for his impartiality, a jurist whom defense attorneys approached with trepidation.
“We shall now commence the trial of the defendant Kang Jin-won, case number 2022GOHAP958. Is the defendant present?” Judge Tae’s voice resonated through the courtroom, prompting correctional officers and attendants to usher Jin-won to his designated seat.
Jin-won, held in custody under a detention warrant due to flight risk, appeared slightly diminished, though his demeanor remained composed, betraying no hint of guilt amidst the gravity of the charges.
Once identity verification was completed, the trial unfolded with the prosecution presenting its case in the usual procedural manner.
Kim Du-seop, representing the prosecution, outlined a litany of charges including murder, operating an illegal gambling establishment, and kidnapping, necessitating a slew of witnesses to be called forth.
“Proceed with your examination, Prosecutor,” Judge Tae’s instruction ushered in the testimony of the first witness, Kim Jung-hoon. With a disheveled appearance, Jung-hoon confessed to the murders of Shin Min-yeol and Baek Su-jeong, detailing his involvement and financial transactions with Jin-won without resistance.
Defendant, do you admit to these facts?” Judge Tae’s voice sliced through the tension, directed at Jin-won, whose demeanor remained unruffled as he exchanged a knowing glance with his lawyer.
In a measured tone, Jin-won’s lawyer leaned into the microphone, his words echoing with confidence, “The defense refutes all allegations and statements. There’s no evidence of contact with the witnesses, and we strongly suspect tampering with the evidence.”
The declaration drew a collective intake of breath from spectators, Yi-soo and Hyun-seong’s expressions registering a mixture of disbelief and determination. Pleading not guilty to every charge seemed audacious in the face of overwhelming evidence, yet it hinted at a bold strategy.
Hyun-seong’s fingers danced contemplatively across his chin as he pondered their approach.
The next witness, Detective An Se-young, took the stand, his demeanor composed as he recounted his involvement in the operation to rescue Yi-soo, culminating in Jin-won’s arrest on kidnapping charges.
Jin-won’s defense offered no objection to these facts; indeed, denying the forcible abduction would have been futile, especially given the presence of a firearm.
As subsequent witnesses reiterated their testimonies, the tension in the courtroom mounted. Finally, it was Seo Yi-soo’s turn to testify. Before leaving her seat in the gallery to take the stand, she exchanged a meaningful glance with Hyun-seong, finding solace in his steadfast gaze and unspoken support amidst the storm brewing in the courtroom.
The judge, upon confirming Yi-soo’s presence, arched an eyebrow, a subtle indication of recognition. While it wasn’t unusual for a familiar prosecutor to appear as a witness, there was a faint flicker of intrigue in his gaze as he repeated his instruction once more.
“Witness, please recite the oath.”
“In accordance with my conscience, I swear to speak the truth without concealment or embellishment, and if I lie… I swear to face perjury.”
“Prosecutor, proceed with your examination first.”
With a stack of records in hand, Prosecutor Kim Du-seop approached Yi-soo with a businesslike demeanor, his tone as matter-of-fact as it had been with previous witnesses.