This film is based on a true event that took place at a burger shop in Seoul near US Army base.
Characters, story structure and specific details of the real event are fictionalized for dramatic effect.
Itaewon, Spring 1997
Where the Truth Lies
- Good morning, sir. - Morning.
Have you secured any witnesses so far?
No, not yet.
Must've been plenty of customers at 1 0 PM.
We're still looking into it.
What's the background on the victim?
Jo Joong-pil was a senior at Dong-ik University.
He came here with his girlfriend and was killed in the restroom.
What's the time of death?
Last night at 1 0:30 in the ambulance.
Which way?
Professor, you got here early.
Prosecutor Park,
did you bring me in to check the clean-up?
What happened?
The shop called to say
they have to open for business.
Did crime lab take enough photos?
They photographed for 30 minutes.
This is bullshit.
What a claustrophobic space to get murdered.
- There's nothing. - lndeed.
They wiped it down real good.
Where was the body?
To the left of that urinal.
It was leaning on the corner.
Where were the blood stains?
Side of this sink...
and lots on the wall.
Also, there were spray-like stains
to the upper right wall of the urinal.
- Over here? - Yes.
What's this?
Looks like they missed a spot.
3 to the right neck, 4 to the left neck and 2 to the chest.
Total of 9 stab wounds.
He was barely 23.
Who the fuck would do this right in the middle of the city?
The victim was 3rd generation only-son.
The family's not well-off, the father is a bus driver.
Should have pampered him if I only knew!
He never got to enjoy life,
he worked so hard to pay for school!
- Stop! - My poor son.
Stop it! It won't bring him back!
Sir...
the girlfriend who was at the scene is here.
- Where? - Over there.
We studied at the library together
and had some beer afterwards...
And...
Go on. Call me, okay?
- Hey! - Wait!
This is nice.
Where should we go?
Somewhere nice?
But it's kind of late.
- Why don't we stay together tonight? - Hey...
Joong-pil, Joong-pil!
Can you remember anything else?
Tell us even the smallest details.
You may have missed something,
think carefully.
Anything out of the ordinary.
For instance, someone following
while on the way home.
Or staring without a reason.
Who?
That's what we want to know.
Think... anyone would follow you?
I don't know.
God damn...
Of course not!
Hey Dad, Dad! That is wrong!
Did sun rise from the west? Why would the US army do this?
They would take our suspects
for their own investigation.
Why would they just hand him over?
Do you think there is some ulterior motive?
- How old is he? - 1 8.
He's a US citizen high school student.
He doesn't look very American.
Mexican-born dad works for the military
and mom's a Korean.
- Then can he speak Korean? - Not at all.
It was hard during investigation.
Couldn't understand a thing.
He blabbered on in English. Frustrating as hell...
Is he putting on a show?
You can speak Korean, right?
Korean speak...
You learned it from your ma.
This asshole can act.
You son of a whore!
It's a pleasure. You can call me nancy.
In accordance to the administrative agreement between two nations,
the investigators must comply to several articles
during investigation of Robert J. Pearson.
If the suspect requests presence of
American officials, his family members,
or involvement of America, the investigators must comply.
Any incriminating statements from the suspect is inadmissible
when taken without an American representative present.
Also he must not be handcuffed
while wearing civilian attire...
Were you at the ltaewon burger shop
on the 8th of April night right?
You were in the hamburger restaurant restroom in ltaewon
on the 8th of April, around 1 0 o'clock at night, right?
Why did you kill him?
There must've been a reason.
How do you know the victim?
Translate.
How do you know him?
It was the first time I saw him.
First time seeing him.
So you got in a fight?
But why did you follow him into the toilet?
I had to take a piss.
You went to take a piss and killed a man?
What exactly did you do in there?
I just saw it.
Saw what?
The Korean guy getting stabbed.
What the hell is he saying?
Be concentrated!
Tell me who else was there in the toilet.
One Korean and AJ.
The victim's dead...
and we're looking for your friend AJ, so he'll be here soon.
We'll find out the truth in no time.
You still didn't do it?
Why can't you answer me?
Whatever. I didn't kill him.
This knife, clothes and shoes. They're all yours, aren't they?
Look at the blood.
Are you still going to insist that you didn't do it?
Isn't that why you stashed them in the locker?!
Hello.
It's detective Jo from Yongsan station.
Yes?
Who's Alex Jung?
AJ?
You found AJ?
I make frequent business trips to the States,
I couldn't pay much attention to him.
I didn't know he hung out with thugs.
He witnessed a gruesome scene.
It must've been traumatic.
He just looks mature but he's still a child.
Deep inside, he's naive and tender.
All right.
- It won't take long. - Okay.
Answer carefully, Alex.
Concisely, got it?
Shall we begin?
Name's Alex Turner Jung, correct?
Call me Alex.
How old are you?
Seventeen.
Can't you speak Korean?
1 7
He's 1 8 in Korean age.
Where is your permanent residence?
Huh? What does that mean?
It's New York.
He's been here for less than 3 months.
Can you stay out of this?
Don't rely on your father, Alex.
Get to the important questions,
I'll tell you everything.
What's important?
What went down inside the toilet that day.
I saw that Korean man get killed in there.
Yo AJ, You wanna get a burger?
Yeah! I'm fucking starving. man!
Check it out.
Dude! It's like the ones you see in the movies!
Man, that's tight! Too good to cut hamburgers with though.
Yo. Where did you get it?
From the ltaewon market.
Ah! Shit!
Are you okay?
Damn, he just fucking touched it and he's bleeding.
This da shit.
I have stabbed someone before.
For real? Did he die?
I didn't check.
Whoa whoa whoa. Someone died?
Nah. We were just talking about some movies.
Cut the act!
Is that all you can talk about when Michael's hurt?
You okay?
Dude, I'm fine. Yo, let's just go for a smoke.
Let's stay a bit longer.
No, I'll be late.
I think I drank too much.
I'm gonna use the bathroom. Come on.
Hey.
You shitting me, huh?
It'll be fucking funny if it happens here, huh.
Huh?
What the fuck are you saying?
I'll show you something cool, come with me.
Shit. What the fuck is this?
Oh! my god!! oh my god!!
Why did you do it?
Did you want to mimic the movies?
Still won't budge, huh?
Bring him in.
Hey, How's you feel?
- Alex... -Yeah.
Is it the first time seeing him after the incident?
Yeah.
How long have you known each other?
I met him after I got here. So...?
Hey, how long has it been?
Maybe about three months.
That long.
About three months?
On the night of April 8th,
two of you were in the burger shop toilet?
Who killed the Korean student?
Pearson did it.
I didn't.
Hey! What the fuck are you saying!
You fucking killed him.
I didn't kill him.
Fuck you! you stabbed him. You mother fucker!
Hey, don't fucking lie!
No. I didn't kill him.
This mother fucker killed him! He did it!
Pearson says Alex's the one?
Damn... He's a tough prick.
Have you ever received Pearson's confession?
If you look at the ClD investigation report,
it says he confessed everything to 'Michael' right after the incident.
No, has he confessed at the police station?
ClD already had the confession...
So I didn't think...
What have you been doing all this time?
Isn't confession the most crucial element in these cases?
You confessed at ClD that you did it,
but now you're changing your story?
I'm no white trash.
Those investigators treated me like trash.
I didn't kill him.
I don't know what the hell was written there.
So you're saying Alex did it?
Then why did you hide the knife?
Because AJ's my friend.
Oh! Shit!
Damn, he just fucking touched it and he's bleeding.
This da the shit. Man.
Put that away right now!
Hey, he got hurt because of you.
Why did you take out the fuckin knife for?
What? To hit on Shelly?
Man. Give me the knife.
You don't even know how to fuckin use it.
Have you ever stabbed someone?
What?
Have you ever killed someone?
Whoa whoa whoa. Somebody killed somebody?
Nah. We were just talking about some movies.
Stop acting stupid!
Is that all you guys talk about when Michael's hurt?
Dude, I'm fine. Yo, let's just go out for a smoke.
Fuck you.
Go stab anybody,
You don't have the guts to do that.
Shit! A.J, you high?
I'll show you something cool, come with me.
Shit! AJ!
AJ!
Not going well?
He's insisting that he's not the one.
Want some help?
I'll give you a witness statement.
I'm not in the mood to kid.
Aside from those two and the victim there aren't any witnesses.
Here's the autopsy report.
There's no better witness than the victim himself.
As is written,
3 wounds to the right neck, 4 to the left neck, 2 to chest.
Total of 9 stabs...
but no defense wounds.
Even a senior victim gets defense wounds.
This means the victim was completely defenseless.
Also, this initial stab wound on
the right side is on a down thrust angle.
Therefore the attacker is taller
and powerful than the victim.
Are you telling me...
I should overturn the US investigation results?
I didn't kill him. You mother fucker!
He fucking killed him!
Prosecutor Park, hold on a minute.
What's going on?
You're arresting someone who's not even a suspect?
Alex is a witness,
but also an important suspect.
What do you mean?
ClD already handed over the offender.
That's only ClD's conclusion.
We have to look into it ourselves as well.
Park, I think you're gravely mistaken.
Alex came forward on his own as a witness.
If that's the case, where has he been in the past 3 days?
Okay, I'll ask him just that.
Is that why you're implying Alex's did it?
It's not Alex, you're wrong on this.
If he's not the murderer, I'm sure he'll be set free naturally.
Has he been living under a rock?
What's he trying to prove?
When you were entering the restroom,
what was the victim doing?
He was taking a piss.
I didn't do it.
Pearson's lying to you.
I'll be the judge of that.
Try to be a bit more respectful. Understand?
I really didn't kill him... sir.
You said you punched the victim
but there's no bruise.
What happened?
Yeah! That's right.
I didn't hit him, just just... pushed him.
I was just washing my hands and lifted up my head.
Then...
Then Pearson started stabbing him in the neck.
And what did you do?
I was scared.
So...
I looked him through the mirror.
You kept looking at him?
I told you.
You know I was so scared.
You did nothing but looking at Pearson
while he was stabbing with a knife?
- That's right. - Okay, fine, fine.
What did you see next?
Next?
I can't remember well.
The blood splashed all over and AJ stabbed him in the neck.
How many stabs?
Right neck three times,
and here... about four times,
and twice in the heart.
After the blood was sprayed,
the victim turned and swung his arm, did you see it?
Uh, I saw it. Saw it!
He turned around
and swung his arms like this at Pearson.
Okay. What next?
Next...?
What he say?
Beat the shit out of him.
He'll tell you the truth.
Have you heard of dissociative disorder?
After seeing the blood of his victim,
it's natural criminal psychological effect
to forget what happens immediately after the act.
Possibility of such occurrence is greater with substance influence.
Drug test came out negative for both?
Yes. But that's the weird part.
According to ClD report,
Pearson is said to have taken drugs that day.
Have you not noticed Alex's past drug history?
Always with ClD! Are you in charge of ClD investigation?
I'm sorry.
Do it right!
That son of a bitch!
He's a fraud in a prosecutor's suit.
I agree, that insolent prick should be forced out.
But please be patient.
Patient? How could l?!
My son is treated as a murder suspect!
It could be hard...
once the prosecutor has prejudiced opinion.
There's gotta be something to break that.
Ah! How about utilizing lie detector?
The result is inadmissible in court
but it could have positive effect on the prosecutor.
It would prove Pearson was lying right away.
Let's do it!
Okay, I'll arrange it.
Are you the one who killed Jo Joong-pil in the restroom?
No.
Are you the one who stabbed Jo Joong-pil
in the neck and chest in the restroom?
No.
Are you the one who stabbed Jo Joong-pil in the restroom?
No.
Did you stab Jo Joong-pil
in the neck and chest in the restroom?
No.
Prosecutor Park, I heard that you asked Pearson in English
and Alex in Korean.
Is it wrong to ask a Korean in his native tongue?
Alex only looks Korean but
he's American in every way.
You know that!
I really don't get this.
ClD handed you evidences
that point to Pearson as the suspect.
This is Korea, not America.
Only we have the right to official investigation.
How about you let me buy you a drink.
I'm sure there's a lot to discuss.
Hey! I've had it!
Being a prosecutor doesn't mean jackshit!
Here!
- David! - Here.
Jake!
Yo, when are we getting out of this place?
He asks how long it will take?
Tell him it'll be over soon.
It'll be finished soon.
Michael!
Michael Osborne!
Why isn't Michael Osborne coming?
His statement is vital
in making a case against the suspect.
Michael Orsborne is an American citizen.
And you need to know that.
He's dealing with the incident quite hard.
The victim's family's the ones in pain.
Is it that hard to come by for a few words?
Michael is also a subject of...
Forget it! Tell him to forget it!
- Brother, don't let go! - I won't.
If you keep on bickering, I'll let it go!
Yes, Park household.
Yeah, it's me.
Michael Osborne.
On the night of the murder, were you with Pearson?
Yes.
According to the ClD report,
you said Pearson told you
he was responsible for the murder.
Correct?
I don't know.
What do you mean you don't know?
I don't know.
Then why did you make such statement?
Well, I asked Pearson where the blood came from
and he told me some Korean came and pushed him.
I...I don't know. Maybe I heard it wrong.
Then is it true that
he said he would show you something that night?
Y... Yes.
Who said it?
Michael, listen carefully.
One of your friends killed
an innocent man and is lying about it.
I know you're distressed because they're your friends,
but murder can't be forgiven.
So, who's lying?
US investigators accused the wrong person?
Yes. The autopsy report, witness testimonies
and circumstantial evidences do not incriminate Pearson.
So Pearson is being framed...
This could get nasty.
I hear Alex's father is quite something.
If we mind such a thing, we wouldn't be able to work.
Finish the work and hand it over to the court office.
Is there anything else?
Please let me see this through the end.
There are plenty more chances.
Prosecutor Park!
Are you really up for it?
Seoul District Court Precinct 22, Case 97-386
Alex Turner Jung is charged with homicide,
Robert J. Pearson is charged with possession of lethal weapon and withholding evidence.
We will now begin the trial of the case 97-386.
Please send in the defendants.
First hearing, May 2, 1997
Silence!
Be quiet!
Opening statement from prosecution please.
On April 8th 1 997 at 1 0 PM,
while dining at an ltaewon burger shop with friend Robert J. Pearson and 4 others,
the defendant Alex Turner Jung stated that
he would show something in the restroom,
wherein Jung stabbed the victim Jo Joong-pil 9 times,
who was urinating at the time...
Bring my son back to life! He has done nothing wrong!
Silence!
My boy is not a killer!
Quiet!
We can't continue the hearing in this manner.
I will clear the court if the trial is disrupted again.
Please submit the statement as a document.
Is it true that you and Pearson were close?
Yes.
What kind of friend was Pearson?
He's a dangerous person.
In what way?
Always carrying a knife... and wanted to use it for something.
Objection, your Honor! Defendant is speculating.
Please remove it from the record.
Sustained. Remove the last phrase.
Please continue.
What did you two talk about that night?
Pearson said...
how can I say it? I mean...
- punching someone off the street... - Random violence?
Yeah, random violence!
He wanted to do that but he could never try it.
What was the reason?
He said he always chickened out at the last minute.
But he said it would be fun to do it there.
Was this previously stated?
No, your Honor.
He was harassing me so I couldn't remember before.
Why does the trial focus on Pearson?
Isn't this about convicting Alex?
I don't understand what's going on.
The defense will want to put the focus on Pearson,
because they can't prove it wasn't Alex.
Better for them to drag down Pearson.
He's not even a human being...
This is the nature of a trial.
Don't worry too much.
Please do your best to get justice for my son.
I beg of you.
Did you forget that this is a team game?
Also, why didn't you charge both?
What if you can't establish Alex's charges?
Shouldn't you also charge Pearson as well?
And establish them as co-conspirators.
How can I accuse an innocent
when it is certain only one committed the crime.
How is that possible? You sure you're a prosecutor?
Second hearing, May 16, 1997
Is it true that the witness was present
at the ltaewon burger shop at 1 0 PM on April 8th?
Yes.
Why were you there?
I was hanging out in the Skyhigh up in the 4th floor,
I got damn hungry. So I went down for a burger.
Were Alex and Pearson present as well?
Yeah.
And where were you sitting?
I was sitting right next to the bathroom.
And then...
So you were sitting beside Alex and opposite Pearson, correct?
I think so.
Have you seen this knife at the scene?
Yeah. Pearson took it out to cut a burger.
Who was the last person to have
the knife between the two?
Well... AJ did put the knife in his pocket,
but I don't know if he was the last one to have it.
Haven't you testified at the prosecutor's office
that Alex was the last one?
That time I did...
We were all going out for a smoke,
so I really don't know what Alex did after that.
All right.
Did you hear someone telling the other to come follow?
Yeah.
Could you repeat that phrase?
I'll show you something cool. Come with me.
Who was the one to say the phrase?
Prosecutor Park!
Keep your manners even during trial.
- You've done well, sir. - Just doing my job.
Thanks. You make a like choice. For Friend.
- Shall we? I know a nice place. - Ah, yes. Let's go.
Is something wrong?
Jake changed his statement.
Bring me his witness examination record.
Which one?
ClD, police, ours, everything we got.
Have we got the original statement?
No. We didn't think it was necessary.
Who translated this?
The NCO who was stationed here.
Why did he do it himself?
He majored English and scored high on TOEFL test.
He was the best English speaker in our office.
Bring him in.
He was discharged...
about ten days ago.
- Deputy chief! - Yes.
Then bring in the translator from prosecutor's office.
He's not around. He went to study abroad.
Is anyone trying to win this case?
When did the witness leave the burger shop that night?
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?
"Killing 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.