(Episode 20)
Did you read Chief Choi's ruling that he found ...
Myung Soo Jin not guilty?
You're talking about the famous designer, Myung Soo Jin, right?
It didn't raise any red flags.
Did you know? Chief Choi's wife, Chief Moon Yoo Sun,
was the presiding judge of the same case in the civil court.
I heard that they had a huge fight over the case.
It was like a lovers' quarrel.
They had a fight? Why?
Are you serious?
It's like a modern story of Maupassant.
The focus point is that whether Ms. Myung Soo Jin...
was aware or not that the handbag was genuine when she got...
her handbag back.
But if she lied that she didn't know when she did, it's a fraud.
It's not like we know what goes inside her head.
It's over if she claims that she didn't know even if she did.
Chief Choi found her not guilty...
of the accused fraud charge because there was no evidence,
but Chief Moon had a different opinion,
so the ruling of the criminal case made her uncomfortable.
Chief Moon is right on this.
Chief Choi's ruling was wrong.
If this is about Myung Soo Jin,
she's a good enough liar to say...
that she didn't know.
Over here.
You should have come into the courthouse.
It's not something we should discuss among other people.
Reapply...
for your brother's retrial.
This is...
According to transport law...
for driving without a license,
it's up to a year in prison or a fine of up to 3,000 dollars.
Seeing how you're struggling with it, he must have a past.
Within the past three years,
a 3,000-dollar fine for driving drunk without a license,
four months in prison with a year of probation,
a 4,000-dollar fine,
and 6 months in prison with w years of probation.
He also paid 3,000 dollars...
for driving without a license 2 months ago.
This driving without a license...
was during his probation term,
so you can't give him probation.
That's right. I'm debating between jail-time and a fine.
He makes a living by driving his old car to support his family.
He has two small children, a homemaker wife,
and an elderly mother who can't walk well.
He is the head of a household and has a difficult life.
I'd lean toward a fine.
He received mercy many times after driving drunk,
but he violated the law again.
You should send him to jail to teach him a lesson.
If the previous probations get canceled,
he'll have to serve an additional six months.
It bothers me that he's the head of a household.
Still, you can't keep showing mercy endlessly.
He received a merciful judgment only two months ago,
but he violated the law even before the ink could dry.
Yes, that is true, but...
Lately, why are there so many cases that are difficult to sentence?
Where did you get your wig?
I told you not to talk about my wig.
- Why? - I may need one soon.
You should've gotten it a while ago. It's all gone.
I guess our court internship is over now.
I know.
It feels weird to see that it's over.
We should be able to sit there at some point, right?
We have to.
But where is she?
- Isn't she supposed to be here? - She's always late anyway.
- We're here. - She's here.
Hello.
What brings you here?
My baby had a doctor's appointment.
He drove us here because it was cold outside.
I heard you were having a farewell party here first,
so I wanted to bring you a cake.
But you can't eat in here. You know that, right?
Okay, for one last time.
Be just!
Don't scam others!
- Judge... - Judge wisely.
What brings you...
I texted her separately.
We're glad you came.
Se Ra, since you're here anyway, why don't you join our group?
- That would be great! - Right?
I'll think about it.
Judge Jung Chae Sung, correct?
- Yes. - I hear you're marrying Soo Yeon?
Well, how did you...
Se Ra and Myung Soo Yeon were in Bellagio together.
That's why your profile picture...
is Myung Soo Yeon.
She's so pretty.
May I see her photo too?
Please show us.
Okay.
I... I'm embarrassed.
- Gosh, she's so pretty. - She's pretty.
- She's pretty indeed. - Isn't she pretty?
Hold on.
The previous photo.
This?
- May I take a look? - Sure.
You can get metadata of the photo, right?
Yoon Il. Can you spare me some time?
Time? Yes.
- Get in. - Okay.
You're good with a computer, right?
Can you find out the time and place the photo was taken?
Yes, to an extent.
Please get the information for this photo.
Okay. But where are we going?
To a cafe.
A cafe?
The fact that my client did not know the bag was authentic...
when she received it from the plaintiff...
was proved by the not-guilty verdict in the criminal case...
the plaintiff had brought against my client.
My client never deceived the plaintiff...
and benefited unknowingly,
so the plaintiff may demand only the remaining gain.
What does all of that mean?
Why is it so hard?
I understand. Yes, it is hard.
Simply put, if you receive something not knowing it wasn't yours,
you may just return what's left after using it.
Counsel, please continue.
Since the gain my client received wasn't money, but a bag,
and given that she has lost the bag,
she is not obligated to return it. However,
the plaintiff accused my client of fraud,
and not only pressed charges against her,
but she is also trying to place the blame on my client...
for the loss she incurred as a result of her own mistake.
Moreover, my client suffered a great detriment...
to her reputation as a designer,
which she had built over the years.
Therefore, this case must be dismissed.
Who are you?
Your Honor,
I'm Jin Se Ra. I'm a law school intern with the court.
The plaintiff would like to submit conclusive evidence.
Plaintiff. What is it?
In order to prove that the defendant carried the bag...
even after the date she claims to have lost it,
the plaintiff would like to call me as a witness.
Plaintiff, is that true?
(One may call someone within the courtroom as a witness.)
- Yes, judge. - Objection.
We do not know who that intern is,
what she will testify to,
and she hasn't been identified as a witness,
so she should not be permitted to take the stand.
I think she already said what she will testify to.
She hasn't been identified as a witness, so...
How about we take a recess and let that be resolved?
Yes, Your Honor.
Then we'll take a 30-minute recess,
and hear from the witness afterwards.
(Court in Session)
You are now under an oath.
You know you will be charged for perjury...
if you lie on the stand, correct?
Yes.
Plaintiff, question your witness.
Couldn't you question her for me?
Yes, I'll do that.
I will question the witness on the plaintiff's behalf.
Are you saying the defendant had the bag after the date...
she claims to have lost it?
Yes. She had it for at least a week after that date.
How do you know that?
I saw it on a photo...
the defendant's sister posted on her social media page.
If you look in the photo titled, "Our favorite cafe",
you can see the bag.
Your Honor. I object.
We cannot tell whether the bag in the photo is authentic or not.
The witness is testifying to her personal experience...
of when she realized it was the authentic bag.
Thus, your objection is denied.
How did you know if the bag in the photo was authentic?
Well, I know that bag very well.
I had much interest in the bag, so I can tell the difference.
Did you ever see the defendant carrying that bag first-hand?
I did not see it first-hand,
but I have evidence that supports my statement.
I have the cafe owner's testimony in this USB drive.
She says she looked at it carefully since she has never seen it before.
Plaintiff, are you submitting the USB drive into evidence?
Yes, judge. Please do that.
Cross-examine the witness.
I have no questions.
You may leave the stand.
In the criminal case, the defendant was acquitted...
due to a lack of evidence that the defendant knew that the bag...
was authentic when she received it from the plaintiff.
However, new evidence was submitted in this trial,
so I may decide differently.
Considering all pieces of evidence,
the defendant is a famous fashion designer.
Accordingly,
she can distinguish authentic and counterfeit products...
better than the average person.
Thus, when she received the bag back,
if she recognized that the bag was authentic,
she had a duty to alert the plaintiff.
However, the defendant said nothing and received the authentic bag.
Thereafter, when the plaintiff demanded the bag to be returned,
she claimed to have lost it,
but it was not true.
Thus, the defendant has a duty to compensate the plaintiff.
The defendant will pay the plaintiff 50,000 dollars...
and the amount she asks for.
Starting December 29, a day after the service of progress,
until the day the defendant pays the debt in full,
the defendant must pay a calculated amount with a 15 percent interest...
set by the special code regarding expediting trials.
The defendant will...
cover the legal fees of the trial.
Hey, I...
couldn't find Kim Ga Young's phone, but I got this instead.
These are the call history and text messages on Kim Ga Young's phone...
which go back three months prior to the incident.
Look at these.
It says here that Assemblyman Do gave her Se Ra's sneakers.
And Seo Gi Ho was murdered...
because Seo Gi Ho found out that Choi Kyung Ho didn't kill her...
and that the vehicle owner of 1371 was the real killer.
That's why Assemblyman Do instigated Kim Ik Chul...
to murder Seo Gi Ho, who discovered the truth.
The real murderer of Kim Ga Young.
The real instigator of Seo Gi Ho's murder.
The whole story points to one person.
Kim Ik Chul is holding the key for both of these cases.
Han Joon.
I'm sure Judge Lee will do fine on her own without your help.
Hey, I need to meet Kim Ik Chul right now.
I'm leaving now. Bye.
Judge Sah.
You're coming to today's gathering, right?
Our panel has case files to read for tomorrow morning's trial.
It sounds like you preside over every case in Korea.
We are all busy just like you.
I'm sorry.
All right then.
When I was at your age,
I never listened to my chief and did whatever I wanted to.
I told myself that I'd never become an irksome chief,
but after getting scolded by my wife and raising my kids,
I sort of turned into one without realizing it myself.
Why am I telling you this?
You are competent.
Are you being sarcastic?
"Senior judges don't cave in and sharpen their swords,"
"but they must be careful to judge according to the law."
"And junior judges..."
"must be armed with bravery and the law without feeling intimidated."
Where did I hear this?
You didn't hear it.
You said it.
When I was in the Judicial Research and Training Institute,
it's what you said during the special lecture.
That's right.
I did say that amazing quote,
but how can you still remember this?
It's my favorite quote.
It's something I would have said...
even if you didn't say it.
If I may share my personal opinion,
the years of your experience as a judge...
shined in the case regarding habeas corpus.
Bye then.
Right. I did say that at the lecture.
Thank you.
When I was a law student,
I thought judges were supposed to evaluate if the law was violated.
I thought I would be able to figure out the truth...
after examining the evidence and reading case files.
But now that I hold trials,
it seems like evidence is always lacking in real life.
If there was enough evidence,
it wouldn't have made to court anyway.
It's not putting back the puzzle pieces,
but it feels like I'm looking for broken pieces all over the place.
Finding those scattered pieces and figuring out the case...
is the job that the robe entails.
It is.
10 years ago, it rained on that night.
Yong Soo and Kyung Ho...
went to Gwangdeok Reservoir to find Ga Young.
I saw...
Ga Young's sneakers and cell phone...
on the ground.
(General Civil Service Office)
(Seoul Central District Court, filing receipt)
Next up is...
a retrial petition of a murder case for criminal judicial panel, 201725.
This is the second petition of retrial for Choi Kyung Ho's case.
Really?
Are you happy?
I wouldn't say "happy" exactly...
It wasn't so long ago when we denied the petition.
This isn't a joke.
Seeing that she filed it again,
isn't it possible she found definite evidence that proves his innocence?
I'm sure that Judge Lee Jung Joo is aware of Clause Two of...
Criminal Procedure Law and she can't file a petition for the same reason.
Okay, so what's the reason for the petition this time?
She claims that the cell phone...
with the recording of Ga Young's call with her father...
and Mr. Kim Ik Chul's statement are definite evidence to acquit him.
She found the victim's cell phone?
What is the recording about?
This involves Assemblyman Do Jin Myung.
Assemblyman Do Jin Myung?
Let's hear it.
Mr. D keeps chasing me.
She claims that "Mr. D" is Assemblyman Do Jin Myung.
Dad. I'm so scared.
- Can she prove it? - What should I do?
Please take a look at this.
This evidence is very compelling unlike before.
In addition, she asked Assembly Do to examine him as a witness.
Come again?
There are reasonable grounds for summoning him as a witness.
But summoning a promising presidential candidate...
as a witness will impose pressure on...
Yes, it may impose pressure,
but we're calling him as a witness, not the defendant.
I'm afraid the witness may turn into a defendant.
How could you be so clueless?
If we allow it, who will take responsibility?
I, the presiding judge, will have to take full responsibility.
Since this may influence his campaign,
how about holding...
the motion for retrial in private?
Chief Seo.
According to Article 27 Clause 3 of Constitution...
and Clause One of the Judiciary Act,
both clearly states the trials must be held openly.
It would be a bit of a stretch to make this into a private trial.
Trials can be held in private...
to guarantee national security and when national security...
may be threatened.
It's hard to interpret it'd fail to guarantee national security...
and that national security is...
Look at you two.
Anyway,
let's think about it.
What? Examination of a witness?
Have you lost your mind?
Regardless if it's a private trial or not, that doesn't make sense.
Instead of refusing to appear in court,
facing the trial might be a good way to...
That's nonsense.
Whoever with more power will win.
"I don't remember it."
- Sorry? - "I never said that."
- What... - "I don't know."
These are the lines people who try to get out of legal punishment use.
If you want to keep your pace without letting them get to you,
you must not get riled up and stay calm.
Okay.
Here's a photo of you with the victim.
Do you still not remember?
This is a conspiracy.
Then you will hear the witness' voice.
No, no. Don't get worked up.
I will play it for you now.
You need to be calmer.
And watch the other side's reaction before submitting the file.
Timing is critical.
Yes. Timing.
I'll be back soon.
Also,
you can't chew it in the courtroom,
so only until then...
He was scheduled to be here 20 minutes ago,
but he has not shown up.
It appears that Do Jin Myung will not appear today.
Let's end here for today.
But sir,
he is still a Presidential candidate.
He must be very busy.
I think we should wait a while longer out of respect.
Also, for Judge Lee Jung Joo's sake,
I think we should wait a little while longer.
Fine. We'll wait five more minutes,
but if he doesn't show up, we will call it a day.
The witness did not appear,
so we will end the hearing for the retrial...
Your Honor.
I apologize for appearing late to your trial.
Please be understanding and show kindness.
Not at all. You are not late.
The time allotted for questioning you has not expired.
And it is the duty of the judge...
to wait for the witness in court.
"Duty".
At times, one forgets that.
However, I expected a large crowd...
wanting to hear a Presidential candidate testify.
I am disappointed. Very disappointed.
Your appearing to testify in itself...
may influence the election,
and since we felt it may endanger national security...
in violation of the rules of the court,
we had decided to make it a closed trial. Please understand.
If that is what the court decided, I must oblige.
However, because it is my first time to testify in court,
I was afraid,
so I brought my attorney to accompany me.
I am his attorney, Sah Jung Do.
I see.
We will permit the witness' attorney to observe the trial.
Okay, we will proceed.
(Case No. 1027GO25)
This question is for the witness.
You are now under oath.
You will be charged for perjury...
if you lie on the stand.
I would never disobey your orders, Your Honor.
Of course I will speak the truth.
Petitioner Lee Jung Joo. Please question the witness.
Yes, Your Honor.
Please display petitioner's evidence 1.
(Photos from Kim Ga Young's Cell Phone)
Here.
Are these photos of you and the victim, Kim Ga Young?
Yes, they are.
What did Kim Ga Young call you?
Let me remind you.
If a witness' testimony...
may incriminate himself or herself,
a relative,
or a person who was once a related, or if it discloses facts...
that may result in any of the above being found guilty of a crime,
the witness may refuse to testify.
This applies to each question as well.
Refuse to testify?
There's nothing to refuse.
What did you say again?
I don't remember. I've gotten so old.
Kim Ga Young must know you very well.
How could an old man...
know whether a young child knows him or not?
Also, there are many people...
in Korea who know me, you see.
Please play the video that was found...
in Kim Ga Young's cell phone.
(Evidence 2: Ki Ga Young's Cell Phone Video)
Gosh. Where am I?
Why won't Dad pick up?
Please pick up.
Mr. D keeps chasing me.
- Dad. I'm so scared. - The video file wasn't recovered,
but we were able to confirm the audio file.
You remember whose voice that is, don't you?
I do not.
True. It was 10 years ago,
so I'm sure it may be difficult to remember.
Your Honor.
May I submit supplemental evidence?
Yes, go ahead.
I'm sure you'll remember this voice.
I was wrong, Ga Young.
I'm sorry, Ga Young.
Daddy...
should've protected you back then.
Mr. Kim. I'm begging you.
You're the only person who knows the truth behind both cases.
You must tell the truth.
I'm begging you.
I've already...
told her everything.
Seo Gi Ho found out that Choi Kyung Ho...
wasn't the real killer.
Seo Gi Ho came to see me...
to tell me that.
After listening to him,
I went to see Assemblyman Do Jin Myung to tell him.
Then...
When Kim Ik Chul told you that Seo Gi Ho said...
that Choi Kyung Ho was not the real killer,
what did you say, Assemblyman Do Jin Myung?
What are you talking about? I never heard about...
No.
As a member...
of the National Assembly of Korea,
I don't remember very well.
If we listen to the rest of this audio file,
we can check if you are speaking the truth or not.
You should think carefully...
and speak only the truth.
So...
Should we play the rest of the audio file?
What did you say after hearing that Choi Kyung Ho...
isn't the real murderer?
Let me ask you one last time.
What did you say?
Did you instigate Kim Ik Chul to murder Seo Gi Ho,
who claimed that Choi Kyung Ho wasn't the real murderer?
Did you...
kill Kim Ga Young?