Chapter 14 [Prosecutor Who Dramatically Arrested Jo Jintae, Now Defending the Kim Cheolhwan Couple Murder Suspect?]
I scrolled through the portal site's news section and found the article he mentioned.
📰 Breaking News
Prosecutor Who Dramatically Arrested Jo Jintae in the Near-Cold-Case Eunchon-dong Serial Murders, Now Defending Suspect in Kim Cheolhwan Couple Slaying?
Former Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Criminal Division 3 Chief Prosecutor Cha Juhan, who dramatically apprehended the perpetrator Jo Jintae in the Eunchon-dong serial murder case that seemed headed for the cold case files, has recently taken on the defense of the suspect accused of murdering the late Kim Cheolhwan and Ye Heesuk—shocking some observers. The video below shows former Prosecutor Cha delivering a public briefing during the Eunchon-dong serial killings.
▷ Go to video
— Netizen123
Money's the best, right? LMAAAO
— CashRulesAll
Take the money and do anything. Duh.
— CynicAnon
Classic move: Get famous, quit, rake in lawyer bucks. Textbook.
— HaterPro
They hyped him up big time after the news—good-looking and righteous too LOL
With the case being so infamous, even someone insignificant like me was drawing attention. It wasn't splashed across the front page or anything—just a passing mention, so the comments were sparse and views low.
This is impressive. Public opinion had praised me as a righteous prosecutor during Jo Jintae's first trial, only to flip overnight. Just like how they'd hailed me as the Wooshin Sniper of justice before turning around and branding me a vengeful prosecutor.
Consistent as ever, past and present.
'Raking in the big bucks, my ass.' I wasn't even sure I'd get proper fees yet. Personally, I'd taken it on as pro bono. And the PR? I never asked for it.
"Just prove him innocent. That's all."
Heading into a case with absolute certainty felt strangely surreal. I'd reviewed direct evidence with my own eyes countless times, yet doubts lingered more than once. I'd double- and triple-checked myself to ensure I was on the straight path.
But this time was different, wasn't it? I knew Kim Yeonjun was innocent. I even knew the real culprit.
"Let's get going."
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Arriving on the fourth floor of the main building, where Criminal Division 3 offices clustered, eyes locked onto me instantly. No warmth in their stares. Even the juniors who'd once shouted folder greetings now offered hushed nods as they passed.
Yang Hansuk Prosecutor
I pushed open the door to the office handling the Kim Yeonjun case. Amid towering piles of documents, prosecutors' investigators—who'd been scarfing down triangular kimbap while hammering keyboards—sprang to their feet at the sight of me.
"Prosecutor Cha!"
"Long time no see."
"Whoa, yeah. It's been forever. But what brings you here? No Kim Yeonjun interrogation today."
"I know. Where's Prosecutor Yang?"
"In his office. Hold on."
The investigator dashed into the room with drawn blinds. Moments later, Prosecutor Yang emerged, disheveled, peeking out.
"Aigoo, sunbae-nim... I told you over the phone it wouldn't work. I didn't say this then, but honestly? The boss put out word: If any info leaks to you, we're done. If he finds out, I'm dead meat."
The investigators stole glances our way at his whining. I'd expected as much—Hwang Youngchan must've laid down the law hard.
"Not here to beg. Relax."
"Pardon?"
"Power of attorney from Ye Heesuk's mother. Hand over the autopsy report."
"......"
Prosecutor Yang gaped at me.
"Hurry up."
At my urging, he reviewed the document and nodded to an investigator.
"Hey, sunbae-nim!"
As I turned to leave with the autopsy findings, Yang grabbed me.
"Can I ask one thing?"
"What."
"You're not trying to prove Kim Yeonjun innocent, right? Aiming for mitigation... that's the play?"
This guy, who wouldn't breathe a word to me before, suddenly wanted my intel? His eyes flickered—he was clearly dreading a showdown.
I got it. In a high-profile case under media glare, letting a slam-dunk suspect walk free? Career suicide.
"Yeah. Someone asked me to take the case."
A blessing my lie detection didn't tag Yang. A [Lie] over my head would've been trouble.
"Whew... Got it. See you in court. Take care."
He looked visibly relieved. Pity, but winning the trial mattered more. Who knew what sabotage Hwang Youngchan might pull? Time to play politics.
I felt a twinge for Yang, but no need for guilt. This world was like that. And besides—
In my past life, I'd learned two years from now that Yang pocketed bribes from corporates. Sticking it to a crooked prosecutor? Not so bad.
Back at the office, I pored over the autopsy. As briefed publicly, all wounds were from the weapon. But I hadn't hustled for this just to confirm known facts.
Detected Substances: Escitalopram Oxalate, Bromazepam, Propranolol Hydrochloride.
All psych meds. Antidepressant, anti-anxiety. Prescription only.
Detectable at autopsy meant ingested not long before death.
Ye Heesuk was seeing a psychiatrist.
Meaning someone knew her full story.
'Put that shrink on the stand.'
Boom—solid testimony secured.
'Someone like Ye Heesuk wouldn't go to her university hospital psych ward.'
Risk of rumors or being spotted. She'd have lined up a discreet private clinic...
—And he'd insist on reviewing footage after every take. Ye Heesuk did a lot of TV, had a manager. Even swamped, he'd beg to check—super stressful.
Suddenly, the Happy Home assistant director's words resurfaced.
Right. Ye Heesuk had a manager.
The manager might know her clinic.
I looked up her agency's number and dialed.
📞 MQ Entertainment
"Hello, MQ Entertainment."
"Hi. Quick inquiry."
"Go ahead."
"Can I get the late Ye Heesuk's manager's contact?"
"Sorry, who is this?"
"Defense attorney for the suspect."
"Um, we can't just hand that out at our discretion. Leave your number, and I'll pass it to the manager."
The rep recited policy by rote. They'd fielded floods from cops, prosecutors, pushy reporters. And with both Kim Cheolhwan and Ye Heesuk on roster, staff had it rough. Impressive she hadn't hung up.
"Got it."
No way this drone would cough up a number. Dead end.
This calls for Yun Se-yeon.
[Ye Heesuk's manager: 010-1357-2468 Keep that source promise!! Got it all recorded^^ No source, straight to lawsuit]
The text arrived at lightspeed. Better deliver solid goods, or I'd catch heat.
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"Prosecutor Yang."
Criminal Division 3 Chief Prosecutor Hwang Youngchan murmured while gazing out the open-blinded window.
Called out, Yang Hansuk fidgeted with clasped hands, lifting his bowed head slightly.
"Did you really hand the autopsy to Cha Juhan?"
Hwang, back turned, whipped around.
"Chief, it was—"
"I said zip it to him, didn't I, you punk?!"
"I didn't give it willingly, Chief..."
He mumbled meekly. It was known: Shortly after Cha Juhan resigned, Hwang had snatched the biggest case in Division 3 like a sniper shot.
Cha Juhan's flashy prosecutor tales, Hwang's open favoritism—anyone punching the clock at Central knew. Then, around Jo Jintae's sentencing, they split. Cha quit on the spot.
"That bastard Cha Juhan. Bites the hand that fed him..."
Hwang became rumor central. Cha, ever cautious, resigning? Must be bad. With his FM Robot rep, fingers pointed at Hwang.
Post-resignation approval, Hwang got hauled to deputy chief for a thrashing: Made Cha the office mascot via Jo Jintae PR, now let him walk?
And now, trial clash loomed.
"...Sunbae Cha brought the family's power of attorney. Couldn't refuse the report."
"Trial's in two days! You could've stalled!"
"Chief, we'll win anyway. Evidence is overwhelming. One report changes nothing. What can Cha pull in two days?"
Yang's excuses trailed off under Hwang's glare. Hwang exhaled long, temper cooling, voice softening.
"Hoo... You don't get Cha Juhan?"
"......"
"Might seem trivial, sure. But that guy's never lost a trial. He's got something solid to take Kim Yeonjun."
"...Sunbae wants mitigation. Nothing more."
Hwang shot back.
"He said that?"
"Yes, Chief. Asked him straight."
"Not the political type."
Yang sighed in relief at the thaw. But Hwang pressed.
"You know why I assigned you this?"
"...Yes, Chief. I'll nail it. Won't let you down."
"Do it right. It's cooked. Just eat."
"Yes, sir."
Hwang shooed him out. Door shut, he muttered.
"Yeah. Even Cha Juhan couldn't prove innocence here."
Shaking unease, mood lifted, he smirked faintly.
Oblivious that the FM Robot Cha Juhan had upgraded his firmware over a decade—now packing political savvy.