“Were you given a USB from one of the victims, Baek Su-jeong?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“It contained evidence of the defendant’s crimes. Is that right?”
Yi-soo drew a steadying breath at Du-seop’s query, feeling Jin-won’s gaze from his seat nearby. With a slight nod, she embarked on her testimony.
“Approximately nine months ago, I received the USB in question from the victim, Baek Su-jeong, who was in fear for her safety. It belonged to Shin Min-yeol, another victim and former secretary of the defendant.”
“Did you immediately check the contents of the USB?”
“No. It was a secure USB with multiple layers of encryption, posing a challenge to access. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I managed to decrypt it. Inside, I discovered a photo file named ‘Colosseum’ and subsequently visited the location with a colleague.”
Yi-soo’s testimony flowed calmly, each word carefully chosen and delivered with precision. After hearing countless testimonies, her composed demeanor seemed almost second nature.
Du-seop, with a more relaxed expression, posed his next question.
“Why did you choose to investigate independently instead of reporting to the police? Was it due to your role as a prosecutor?”
“No. I believed that reporting to the police would be futile. Additionally, there were threats against the safety of those close to me if I were to report. Baek Su-jeong, who was also my sister, expressed grave concerns and implored me to delay reporting as a last resort.”
“Did these threats originate from Kang Jin-won?”
“Yes. He had been monitoring the victim’s adoptive parents.”
A collective sigh of frustration rippled through the spectator seats, all eyes trained accusatorily on Jin-won, whose demeanor remained impassive as he locked eyes with Yi-soo.
At that moment, amidst the tension of the courtroom, it felt as if only Jin-won and Seo Yi-soo existed in their own sphere of detached indifference.
“The delay in the investigation was regrettable, and I extend my apologies to both the police and the victim’s family,” Yi-soo murmured, her words carrying a weight of remorse. Yet, there was little blame directed at her. After all, Seo Yi-soo herself was a victim in this tangled web of deceit and tragedy.
Du-seop retrieved another document from the prosecutor’s bench, his gaze probing as he questioned Yi-soo further.
“You mentioned encountering the defendant at the Colosseum. Is that correct?”
Yi-soo hesitated for a moment before responding, “I had a conversation with an individual who identified himself as Roman, the operator of the Colosseum. His face was concealed by a mask, preventing me from confirming his identity definitively, but circumstantial evidence suggests it was the defendant.”
“What led you to this conclusion?”
“The individual’s physique bore similarities, and there were distinctive marks in the same location.”
“Did the witness directly observe these marks?”
Yi-soo shook her head in response. “No. They were observed by my companion.”
An objection erupted from Jin-won’s lawyer, but it was swiftly overruled by the judge, who granted the defense the opportunity to address the issue during their examination.
Despite the familiar courtroom scene, the tension was palpable, Yi-soo’s nerves prickling as she found herself under the scrutiny of the legal process once again.
Sensing her unease, Du-seop exchanged a subtle nod with the clerk, signaling an understanding. With a deliberate motion, he produced a USB containing a recorded conversation between Yi-soo and Jin-won, a pivotal piece of evidence in the unfolding trial.
“Indeed, later the witness was abducted by the defendant, during which his confession was recorded. Is that correct?” Du-seop’s voice held a steely edge, cutting through the air of the courtroom.
Yi-soo met his gaze evenly. “Yes.”
“The recording indicates that a wristwatch with a recording function was utilized. Did the defendant plan this abduction in advance?”
“No,” Yi-soo replied firmly. “He was unaware. The watch in question was part of my equipment as a prosecutor. Given the nature of my work, it’s imperative to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.”
Though strictly speaking, the watch had been a gift from Hyun-seong, the nuance held little significance in the grand scheme of the trial.
With a nod from the judge, the clerk initiated the playback of the recorded file. Within the expansive confines of the courtroom, the voices of Jin-won and Yi-soo echoed, resurrecting memories that crashed over Yi-soo like an unrelenting tide, stirring painful emotions. The sounds, scents, even the sensation of the air against her skin during that moment were vividly recalled, despite the passing of several months.
As the families in attendance listened to the recording, silent sobs punctuated the solemn atmosphere.
“Thank you for your testimony. You may return to your seat, witness,” Du-seop acknowledged, signaling the end of Yi-soo’s examination.
After thirty minutes of rigorous questioning, Yi-soo finally reunited with Hyun-seong at their designated spot. The recorded file stood as the trial’s most compelling evidence, paving the way for the prosecutor’s closing arguments and the defense attorney’s final plea.
As planned, Du-seop advocated for the maximum penalty of death, while Jin-won’s defense attorney shamelessly argued for his innocence on most charges, drawing a furrowed brow from Yi-soo in response.
With a solemn expression, the judge called for a recess to deliberate.
An hour later, the judge returned to the bench, his demeanor grave as he donned his glasses.
“I will now deliver the verdict.”
Finally, the moment had arrived for the pronouncement of the sentence.