Third hearing, June 9, 1 997
When the guys were taking turns with the knife,
I thought it was cheezy so I left first.
I came out to the emergency exit and was smoking.
And Shelly, Michael and Jake were there to smoke?.
Yeah.
Did you stay with them?.
No. Shelly and Michael went to the Skyhigh first
and then Jake.
And you also went up to the Skyhigh thereafter?.
Yeah.
Did you also witness Alex
come out of the restroom first?.
Yeah?.
No, you couldn't have.
What you saw wasn't Alex coming out of the restroom,
or him out of the emergency exit,
but Alex coming up the stairs.
According to the witness testimony,
he saw them coming up to the club.
When I examined the crime scene,
one can't see the exit from the stairs
when looking down the gap.
To be precise,
what the witness saw were two people climbing the stairs.
Is what I'm stating true?.
Even so, is it true that
Alex was in front of Pearson on the stairs?.
Yeah.
Because he climbed the stairs first he also got out of the restroom first?.
I've never heard of such nonsense.
Twisted logic, don't you think?.
It's been testified that
they didn't bumped into each other as they came out of the restroom.
So isn't it logical that they walked up the stairs in that order?.
As you know the burger shop has a door to the main road.
Are you implying that Pearson,
who was covered in blood, came out of the restroom first,
walked through the crowd at the shop,
out the door, then headed up the stairs?.
After waiting for Alex to go upstairs first. Is that right?.
A question to the witness. Is it true that you saw
blood stain on Alex's clothes as if it was sprayed on,
and Pearson's face and chest
covered in blood right after the incident?.
Yeah.
Is it good?.
This is all my fault.
Whether you cause problems or not I should've left you in the States.
They treat you okay?.
Food is shit and I can't stand the dirty cell.
Let me out quick. I'm gonna go crazy in here.
It's driving me mad too.
But until the verdict...
I don't wanna see him anymore. He makes me sick.
Crazy bitch...
The evidences against you are stacked.
Your friends' testimonies don't help as well.
I should have really showed them...
What did you say?.
Huh?.
No... Nothing.
Fourth hearing, June 20, 1997
If what you're saying is true,
the right scar is the first point of contact.
That's correct.
How does the blood come out when this area is punctured?.
Blood out of carotid artery would be like a fountain.
How would the blood look like on the clothes?.
It would have the effect of being sprayed on.
Do you think the blood sprayed out like a fountain,
could get on Alex's clothes
while he was washing his hands on the sink?.
Even with Pearson blocking in front of him?.
The blood doesn't pour out like water even if sprayed...
and if there was someone in front...
So it would be impossible?.
Yes. I believe so.
Is it true that you're an adjunct professor at a medical university?.
Yes.
In what major?.
Forensic medicine.
Between Alex and Pearson from the point of view of forensic medicine,
who do you think stabbed the victim?.
Objection!
Please continue.
It's... hard to say but...
assuming that one of them did it,
and that the initial assault was
to the right of the neck,
it would be the one who received the spray of blood...?.
Nonsense!
Be quiet!
You'll be ordered to leave the court if this happens again.
Could you clearly state the name of
the person you predict is the killer?.
Perhaps it's too obvious.
That is all.
These are photographs taken after the incident.
As you see, there are blood stains on the corner of the sink.
Pearson testified that he witnessed the incident
from the sink corner but pushed the victim away.
Then how is the blood stain possible on that corner?.
Well... It'd be possible if the victim fell over on Pearson
as he was spraying blood
and Pearson pushed him away.
Quite an imagination you got there.
Do you really think it's possible?.
Pearson said he pushed the victim away.
If what you're saying is true,
the victim who fell by the urinal got up,
Ieft stain on the sink and fell over again...
does this seem logically possible?.
After having been stabbed 9 times!
I can't say firmly since I didn't see it.
How did it go today?.
Professor Lee's testimony is always straight forward.
That's great to hear.
Can't celebrate until the trial's over.
Aren't you heading home?.
You go on ahead.
Sir, we're off then.
It's freezing!
Kill the monster!
Let me try! Why do you only play with it?.
What?.
Give it to me! It's freezing!
Nice and cool. It's not freezing!
Stop it! I'm gonna get you back!
Enjoy it!
- Stop it! - Come here!
Ji- oh, Ji- sun come here.
Daddy, Ji- oh won't let me play with it.
Is that so?. Give me the water gun.
Stand over here Ji- sun.
- Daddy, what are you doing?. - Here?.
No. Ji- sun stand here and face me.
And Ji- oh stand behind me.
- Stay close. - Why?.
Okay.
Dad! What are you doing?.!
- Did it spray on you, Ji- sun?. - No.
Go again, Ji- oh.
Again?. Dad, don't do it.
Missed.
What's with you today?.
Ji- oh, is there a gun that sprays water rather than shoot?.
There's no such a gun.
Never mind.
What am I doing?.
- Sorry, sweetie. - You're gonna get it dad!
Ji- oh!
Fifth hearing, July 7, 1997
Didn't you say the victim fell on you so you pushed him away?.
Yeah.
Which part of the body did you push?.
Maybe be around here.
Your Honor, please recall investigation report 59
and appendix #2, which states that
most amount of blood get poured on
the nearest person when the artery is severed.
Please refer to lnvestigation report point 1 26 for that.
- Was that submitted?. - Yes.
According to the first witness at the scene
the victim's pants were slightly lowered.
Normally when men urinate
they lower the pants and squat a little.
This would reduce the height by around 1 0 cm.
In this case, a person smaller than the victim can stab
- and leave the same scar. - Objection!
He's attempting to pass off a biased notion as a fact.
I'm making a generalization.
Men generally hang their head like this.
You look like you're meditating...
Recall that the victim's pants were down.
I'm talking about ones
who drop their pants and urinate.
Even so, they would urinate with legs apart.
It's a common sense to squat like this
to prevent the pants from falling.
Is that the way you urinate?.
Prosecutor Park! Is that the respect you show to your senior?.
Why does seniority come up in court?.
Quiet! We'll adjourn for today.
They should fix that AC soon.
I'm sorry, sir.
These things happen.
That bastard is quite something.
Pardon?.
Didn't Alex laugh?.
Or was it Pearson?.
Did they?.
You didn't hear it?.
It was chaotic before...
I thought they behaved themselves today.
Is that so?.
I can't proceed this trial if both counselors act childish.
I'm having enough problems with other cases as is.
Please understand my position as well.
Of course, your Honor.
But I don't urinate like that.
I would like to conduct a crime scene inspection.
Sure.
Will you comply?.
What?.
Are you certain?.
Yes, let's do it.
Crime scene inspection, July 22, 1997
It's Alex. Alex!
How do you feel now?.
- Why at a burger shop?. - A few words please?.
- Pearson! - A few words please?.
Be calm, all right?.
Just do what you saw.
We all know you're innocent!
We all know!
- You're worse than a cockroach! - What?.!
You should be atoning for what you did!
The whole world knows you're innocent!
Over here please!
Stand where you were.
I just stood here to wash my hands.
Don't turn it on, just pretend you are washing.
Okay.
When I raise my head, I saw Pearson...
Please send Pearson in.
Pearson
Now, go attack the victim.
I can't get by him even if I wanted to.
Sir, it's Pearson's turn.
Is that right?.
Let's go in.
I followed AJ into the restroom.
Then I went to the edge of the sink... and looked over at him.
And suddenly he started stabbing the Korean.
How many times?.
He stabed him in the neck...
Three times on the right, and four times on the left,
and then, twice in the heart.
Alex, go stab the victim.
Alex
No. Not there.
In the Back of the neck.
And you're holding it wrong.
Can you reenact what you saw?.
I saw A.J stabbing him
and the Korean guy fell on me.
No, you pushed him over here.
What's this?.
Are you kidding me?.
Is this a joke?.
Good thing I got to see it in person.
Next hearing will be September 8th.
Why is he acting like Pearson's lawyer?.
One more shot.
I think I reached my limit.
Drink!
We never got to drink properly together.
Who do you think is the killer?.
What's the point of asking the obvious?.
It's Alex, of course.
Honestly?.
Yes.
Fuck off.
You've always thought Pearson was the one.
Always with ClD and talking behind my back.
Forget that I'm a prosecutor. I'm asking as a fellow man.
Which one?.
Sir, you really are tenacious.
I'm really sorry. Isn't that what you want to hear?.
I initially thought it was Pearson too.
But after seeing him at the crime scene, I know you were right.
That fat fuck got high and stabbed him.
The drug test came out negative.
We don't have the equipment to detect it properly yet.
What about Pearson's confession during US investigation?.
Those yankees don't give a shit
about a son of Mexican blood and Korean whore.
They probably wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Is it really Alex?.
What's with you?.
Are you sure it's Alex?.
Sir, if you're not sure, just pick one.
It's 50- 50 chance anyway.
What did you say?.!
Who the fuck do you think I am...
Son of a bitch.
Could we stop at a toilet?.
I'll show you something cool. Come with me.
It's you, Alex!
Pearson, is it you?.
Stop!
What are you doing?.
Open up!?. Stop it!
Can't you hear me?.
A man is dying in there!
Come out! What are you doing?.
Open the door right this second!
Open it now, assholes!
Open it!
Honey!
Hi.
Alex is the killer.
You're not the killer but...
you have too many flaws.
Presently he has a four- dot tattoo,
but when we were investigating him in ClD, it was a three- dot tattoo.
And the three- dot tattoo on the left hand is
a gang marking that means "my crazy life".
And based on what i've already told you,
ClD was positive he is a member of
hispanic gang, known as Norte 1 4.
Sixth hearing, September 8, 1997
The prosecutor's office...
completely ignored the ClD's assessment,
what do you think is the reason?.
I don't know.
The prosecutor's office is stating that
because ClD is not the official investigating party,
they cannot accept ClD's analysis.
If you don't mind...
Could you state your career
as an investigator in ClD?.
ClD is an official federal organization of investigation
with the same authority as the FBl.
I've been an investigatior with ClD for fifteen years
and i specialize in gang and juvenile crime.
That is all.
AJ and Pearson's friends went down to the hamburger restaurant.
After a while, AJ came to our table.
But his clothes were bloody.
What is this?. What the fuck did you do?.
We did it...
We just stabbed someone in the neck.
Motherfucker you killed him! For what?.
Could the witness repeat one more time?.
When Alex came up, why did he say he committed murder?.
He said he did it for fun.
How could someone kill for fun?.
Il motive was forfun!. "
The world is in disarray.
Do you know what's needed the most?.
It's standard.
Only then, law and justice will prevail.
Stay alert and end this right.
Killing a person for fun?.
Final trial, October 6, 1997
We've now concluded the examination.
Lastly, I want to ask 2 questions
as a man, not a judge.
As such, I want both defendants to answer as honestly as possible
as two human beings.
Among the two defendants, is the killer present?.
Yeah.
I'll ask Alex Turner Jung first.
Who murdered Jo Joong- pil?.
It's Pearson standing beside me.
I'll ask Robert J. Pearson.
Who murdered Jo Joong- pil?.
It's Alex. The person next to me.
Prosecution, request the sentence.
One young Korean man was killed.
Due to poverty,
he had to work part- times to pay for school.
A family's hope and pride was killed
in cold blood without a reason.
The defendant Alex Turner Jung
may be a sophomoric 1 8 year- old teen,
but for the simple reason of enjoyment, he has slain a human being.
Furthermore,
rather than repenting for his crime, he blamed his friend
and mocked Korean judicial system
by insisting his US citizenship.
We have no obligation to tolerate such behavior and pardon him.
Prosecution requests...
maximum allowed sentence of death penalty.
I... I didn't do it!
Please stand up.
Sentence, October 13, 1997
Please bring in the defendants.
Considering the brutal
and vicious nature of the crime,
the defendants showed total disregard
for any remorse for the crime
and atonement for the victim's family
or compensation for their loss.
I sentence Alex Turner Jung to life imprisonment for murder,
and Robert J. Pearson to minimum of 1 year,
- maximum of 1.5 years in prison - Fuck!
for possession of lethal weapon and withholding evidence.
This trial is bullshit!
What the fucker say! Your mother fucker!
It's not me! Shit!
It's not me!
What the fucker say! Your mother fucker!
I didn't do it!
I'll kill you all!
Alex! Don't worry, okay?.
We'll get you out! Alex!
Don't worry! We'll get you out!
There's no need to thank me.
But...
Just tell me one thing.
Did I do the right thing?.
Please allow Joong- pil...
to rest peacefully for eternity...
We've examined the trial records.
This is not a fight that one can win over the other.
But we won't let you lose either.
Supreme Court, April 30, 1998
As noted in the original verdict,
the defendant and Pearson entered the compact restroom
and one of them stabbed the victim in a split second,
but since both parties hold each other accountable for the murder,
it is essential to look into the authenticity
and reliability of their testimonies.
Considering how the situation prior to
entering the restroom was not investigated,
defendant's appeal should not be disregarded.
It is difficult to prove that the crime was committed
by the defendant alone.
- Something's wrong. - Huh?.
What do you mean?.
Also, forensic testimony is deemed standard opinion
and urinating posture is circumstantial,
and there is no record of the defendant
under substance influence.
Therefore, the original verdict will be overturned
and the case will be sent to the Supreme Court.
Dad!
Alex! We did it! We did it!
Congratulations Mr. Jung!
- Thank you! Thank you so much! - Congratulations!
Alex! The angels are on our side!
Congratulations!
Alex's not guilty?.
What's gonna happen now?.
Please leave this to prosecutor Park and go back home.
He says he'll collect evidences and submit them again.
What's the point when Supreme Court found him innocent?.
Isn't that final?.
Can't you indict Pearson at this point?.
If one of them is proven not guilty,
isn't the other guilty?.
Even they said so.
That's not possible.
Pearson has already received his sentence.
Even if we indict Pearson at this time,
he could be off the hook like Alex.
This isn't right.
How is this fair?.
Prosecutor Park,
can't you say anything?.
Sir?.
If they didn't,
then who killed my son?. Huh?.
Who killed my poor Joong- pil?.
My poor son!
Joong- pil!
- Search warrant?. - Yes.
I'm confident that
I'll find new evidence that'll incriminate Alex.
Are you out of your mind?.
What exactly will you find at the defense lawyer's office?.
They fabricated testimonies during trial.
Even the files submitted to the Supreme Court are suspicious.
If we prove that... then I can win again.
The Court is not saying Alex is not the perpetrator,
but that the evidence isn't sufficient enough
That's why I want to find the remaining evidence.
Hey!
No one will claim you did not investigate
to the best of your abilities.
Let this go.
There are plenty more criminals for you to go after.
Alex, it's been a while.
Wow. Beautiful office. Looks like you're doing well.
A little bit.
How have you been?.
I got into the university but studying is boring as shit.
Life is a process of enduring the boring stuff.
Hey, Na- young!
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Would you like to come in for some tea?.
No, we have somewhere to go.
Take this...
Dad's busy, so he wanted me to give you this.
Shouldn't have.
We're off. Congrats!
Who is he?.
He's a lawyer. He defended me before.
For what?.
Can't tell you.
Why?.
What happened?.
It was so tiring but fun.
Fun?. What was so fun about it?.
Do you really want to know?.
I'll show you something cool, Come with me.
- It's a hot story... - Really?.
We were a bit tipsy, and felt damn hungry.
So we headed to a burger shop.
Then Pearson suddenly pulled out a jack knife!
A knife?. Then?.
Can't remember it anymore.
What the...
It must be hard on kids to transfer.
It'd be nice for you to stay in Seoul.
I'm sorry to hear that you're moving away.
Deputy chief, how many prosecutors have you worked for?.
About 8.
How do I rank among them?.
The best, of course!
Sorry I asked.
Well, I gotta go.
I'm not much of a prosecutor,
but at least I saved you.
I know.
I didn't kill him.
Isn't that your and my firm conviction?.
Pearson!
You can speak Korean.
I did learn from jail.
Miss. What happened to the restroom?.
Something bad happened there.
So they blocked it off.
Alex was acquitted by the Supreme Court and released in September 1998.
Pearson was given a special pardon in 1998, 2 months before the end of his sentence.
Before his travel ban could be renewed, Pearson left for USA in 1999.
Both defendants are completely free of any legal responsibilities related to this case.
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