Chapter 7
Chapter 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Witness on the Stand
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Uh… Case No. 2015Godan4531, the illegal filming crime case—today's the date for witness examination.”
“What hearing number is this?”
“…The third one.”
“The third?”
Kang Hyun took in the information and instantly grasped the situation.
Normally, if the defendant meekly admitted all guilt, the trial would wrap up in just two sessions: one hearing and one sentencing. But this was already the third, so something must have gone wrong.
‘The trial isn't going well. They submitted the evidence list, but the defense objected, the judge accepted it, and the hearing got postponed for additional evidence.’
As Kang Hyun stayed silent, the clerk provided the rest of the details.
“The presiding judge is Judge Choi Ho-jeong, and the prosecutor is Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min. Are you here to observe?”
“Oh, no. Thank you. Is there a computer I can use?”
“Yes, feel free to use the public PC over there.”
Kang Hyun thanked the clerk and headed to the public computer.
‘No way…’
Tense, Kang Hyun sat down, searched for info on the judge and prosecutor, and found articles. The situation was just as he feared.
‘Judge Choi Ho-jeong is notorious for being strict and defendant-friendly, known for lenient rulings. Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min is a law school grad and the youngest in his cohort.’
They hadn't even called him in for a pretrial interview at the prosecutor's office, which suggested they were in a real bind.
‘But why? The evidence is clear-cut, and he was caught red-handed.’
Kang Hyun crossed his arms, letting his mind churn.
‘There’s definitely something off.’
Heading to the courtroom, Kang Hyun pondered deeply.
‘If things go south, I’ll have to turn it around with my testimony.’
He ran simulations in his head as he made his way to the appointed courtroom.
Truth be told, to make an impact with testimony, you’d need to pore over documents and rack your brain. But Kang Hyun didn’t have that luxury.
He wasn’t a lawyer or prosecutor yet, after all.
Right on time, he entered the courtroom, took a seat, and waited briefly as people settled in, facing forward, anticipating the start of proceedings.
On the left, a harried-looking prosecutor caught his eye. On the right, a smug lawyer flashing a shiny badge entered with “that guy” and sat down.
The trial soon began.
“All rise.”
The court officer’s booming voice prompted the few observers, the prosecutor, the lawyer, and that guy to stand as the judge entered.
Judge Choi Ho-jeong, said to be meticulous with procedure, sat with a furrowed brow that deepened his heavy wrinkles.
“You may be seated.”
Kang Hyun took a seat in the back and watched the trial’s start with bated breath.
His first time in a courtroom.
His first trial ever, but rather than nerves, an inexplicable familiarity washed over him. Strange.
On the left, a young prosecutor—clearly a rookie—sorted documents with a fierce, eager expression.
He was the junior prosecutor from the trial division, as noted in the docs, but for someone so low in seniority to handle a hearing solo meant he was a promising elite.
What he lacked was probably just “experience.”
In contrast, at the defense table, a lawyer brimming with that very “experience” eyed the prosecutor leisurely, like a puppy yapping away that needed a good scolding.
‘Let’s see how this plays out.’
In this arena already thick with preemptive posturing, Kang Hyun reviewed his role to keep it fresh.
The judge alternated glances between defense and prosecution before speaking.
His expression frustrated, like something wasn’t clicking, though the details remained unclear.
“Case No. 2015Godan4531, defendant Han Jae-su. Let’s begin. Defendant.”
The badge-shiny lawyer with neat hair carefully stood the guy called Han Jae-su. Not a public defender—looked like they hired from a big firm.
‘Good actor.’
But that defendant, who’d screamed bloody murder in front of Yoon Haneul, now huddled pitifully, face full of feigned innocence and grievance. Pathetic.
‘Guy’s got money, huh.’
Still, Kang Hyun had zero intention of letting him walk free.
For now, he focused on piecing together the flow of events.
After formalities, the judge eyed the evidence list and turned to the lawyer.
“Defense, no change from your claims last hearing?”
“Yes. We deny all facts in the indictment and reject Evidence Nos. 1 through 6 in full: No. 1 suspect interrogation record, Nos. 2-4 investigation reports, No. 5 suspect interrogation record, No. 6 evidence list, and all therein.”
‘What!?’
Kang Hyun froze at the lawyer’s response.
Rejecting all evidence outright—an absurd claim. There were blatant photos on the phone, and he’d admitted guilt during questioning. How?
‘No way…’
Kang Hyun suddenly realized why he was needed as a witness.
A worry from that subway day flashed back.
‘Illegally obtained evidence.’
He’d picked up the phone and handed it to the rail police. If they just took it without procedure and submitted it as evidence?
‘Criminal Procedure Act Article 308-2: Evidence collected without due process cannot be admitted. That’s it.’
Kang Hyun grimaced as it clicked.
Under the Act, evidence seized during or right after a crime at the scene allows post-facto warrants, but they clearly skipped it.
“Quiet in the court!”
The defense’s words stirred murmurs; Judge Choi Ho-jeong scowled sharply.
‘This simple case…’
Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min had good reason to struggle.
The judge turned sternly.
“Prosecutor, do you have rebuttal evidence against defense claims from last time?”
“Well….”
The prosecutor stood.
After a pause, Kim Jeong-min bowed his head briefly before speaking.
“Regarding Evidence No. 1, the defendant stated in his first suspect interrogation that he voluntarily submitted the phone he used….”
“Prosecutor, we heard that last time. And that’s why we postponed—to see reinforcing evidence like a voluntary submission consent form?”
The judge sighed heavily.
The triumphant lawyer stood with grand gestures, exuding confidence.
“Honored court, as we stated on evidence, the defendant only agreed during the first interrogation amid chaos, but from the second onward, he consistently claimed his phone was forcibly taken. Thus, the prosecution’s assertion is incorrect.”
“I know—sit down, counsel.”
The judge shook his head at the slyly smirking lawyer as he sat.
Even Judge Choi Ho-jeong seemed exasperated. A phone full of creepy subway videos, yet inadmissible.
‘If evidence is rejected, it’s as good as none under current law. Just saying I saw him do it won’t cut it. He might walk free.’
Realizing the gravity, Kang Hyun’s mind raced.
“Anyway, today’s witness examination day, as requested by prosecution. Let’s proceed. Is the witness here?”
The judge called Kang Hyun.
His debut as a witness in court.
Kang Hyun shot up and strode to the stand.
“Yes, present.”
Though a courtroom newbie, his calm, steady voice rang out confidently.
They’d said the witness was a high schooler, but his poised gait and composed face drew odd looks from the judge.
“Very well. Any reason you’d refuse to testify?”
“None. I’ll swear in.”
The judge smirked faintly at the eager witness—‘This kid…’
The oath done, the judge said,
“Prosecutor, your examination.”
Lips pressed tight, the prosecutor stood before Kang Hyun, nodding meaningfully—a silent plea for help.
Their first face-to-face.
In that moment, Kang Hyun felt not pressure, but
an inexplicable thrill.
Heart pounding?
Unaware of Kang Hyun’s emotions, the prosecutor—desperate for any lifeline—asked,
“Witness, you were at the scene that day with the defendant and victim, correct?”
“Yes.”
“So you saw the defendant hand his phone to the police?”
“…”
Kang Hyun paused at the question, instantly seeing the issue.
‘Something’s wrong!’
From the phrasing, Prosecutor Kim Jeong-min wanted testimony that ‘the defendant willingly handed over the phone.’
That would fix the fatal procedural flaw: no warrant.
But how could he lie when it wasn’t true?
The situation was dire.
They must’ve checked with the police, yet this mix-up! The cops lied to cover themselves.
‘I handed over the phone, so it wasn’t voluntary from him—they needed a warrant.’
The police lied: ‘Suspect apologized and voluntarily submitted, so we skipped the post-seizure warrant.’
The prosecutor took their word, assumed the defendant was lying now, and called Kang Hyun.
Reality: no consent from defendant, cops botched the warrant.
‘Tricky spot.’
If Kang Hyun told the straight truth, the guy walks; if he lied, perjury.
Unaware, the prosecutor rephrased patiently as silence lingered.
“Witness, can you describe the events in detail?”
“…”
Kang Hyun took a beat to gather thoughts.
Time to think sharp and improvise. His words could be key evidence.
Then—eureka.
‘Ah!’
A clear, simple solution hit him. A smile crept up involuntarily.
He quickly organized his thoughts and began to speak.