Lawless Lawyer 2.3 The Crime Scene

THE CRIME SCENE

THE CRIME SCENE THE MURDER  OF  THE MAYOR OF KI SEONG Crime scenes are not pleasant places to visit but Bong Sang Pil invited Ha Jae Yi to tag along to do some sleuthing work at the Ki Seong Mayor’s murder crime scene. Upon arrival at the warehouse, they discovered that the crime scene was cordoned off and the police chalk outline was still there. Killing a mayor was a bold crime; it was only a step short of killing the next important man. Bong Sang Pil walked beyond the police yellow barricade tape into the cordoned-off area and took clear photos of the crime scene with his sophisticated mobile phone. The chalk outline provided Bong with an idea of how the murder had been carried out and how the decedent fell. It was easy to reconstruct the scene.  Bong had it all figured out in his mind’s eye. There was a sign of struggle before Lee Young Soo, the decedent fell but he had no leads other than the miniscule information given by the accused.  It didn’t make sense to kill such an important man in a public place. Investigator Min arrived and warned them that they would be arrested if they contaminated the evidence of the crime scene. Kang Yeon Hee, the Public Prosecutor who seemed to have accompanied him, questioned them about their presence at the crime scene. The bold and sophisticated lawyer was poised and professional and offered his name card. She made a derisive remark that Bong seemed to have a lot of time on his hands since he was checking out a murder case that had nothing to do with him. Bong was smart-ass and brassy; he soundly told her that he never failed whenever he decided to help himself to something, whether it was a criminal case or a person.  He turned his head suggestively towards Ha Jae Yi, indicating that she was his prized catch. He then attacked her by questioning if Wu Hyeon Man really had no alibi. While querying her, he touched his nose. His body language spoke volumes; he didn't believe that  she had conducted a thorough investigation. Then, he pointed his finger at her as if he doubted her effectiveness as a public prosecutor. Kang Yeon Hee had failed tp carry out an independent investigation - she relied too much on others.  The question that startled them was ‘What if he did?’ He smiled triumphantly after having shaken them. When Bong Sang Pil and Ha Jae Yi walked off, Kang Yeon Hee couldn't help belittling Bong Sang Pil. She remarked that Bong seemed to be short of clients; He didn't have cases that needed his immediate attention.  She had little sympathy for unethical lawyers who resort to stealing other lawyer’s cases. He was unfazed by her deliberate insult. When she snidely questioned whether he needed help in getting a better Office Manager, she was implying that his business wasn’t exactly booming. She also meant it to be a personal affront at her former high school rival, Ha Jae Yi. Ha Jae Yi could have slugged her but she had learnt her very expensive lesson; she kept her cool. But, the spirited Bong Sang Pil rose to the challenge. The public prosecutor had not met a lawyer who was quick on the uptake.  She ought to have been careful about every single word she uttered. Bong had one of the best brains in the field. He was razor sharp and loved dueling with people particularly, mean female prosecutors who loved to pass quick judgement on others. She should have measured her words before insulting his beloved Ha Jae Yi. Catching hold of Ha Jae Yi’s hand to prevent her from fleeing, he turned around to face the obnoxious Public Prosecutor. His possessive display over Ha Jae Yi was really thrilling to behold. The Alpha trait in him would not let the Prosecutor's words slide. He took on an assertive stance. Smiling confidently and staring levelly at her, he pointed out that she might end up facing him in court. He, without the help of an Office Manager, would be able to land himself in court as her sparring partner. His confidence, in a way, was unsurprising; and what he wanted, he always got.

BONG SANG PIL WAYLAYS  GO IN DOO Bong Sang Pil had already laid his trap to combat Go In Doo, the Defense Lawyer for the accused. It dawned on Go In Doo that Bong Sang Pil was up to something when the lawyer from Seoul introduced himself and demanded to be Wu Hyeong Man’s new Defense Lawyer. Go In Doo accused Bong of crossing the line. What was his motive for the confrontation? Wu Hyeong Man, the murder suspect, was his client but why was Bong intent on snatching his client away? What embarrassing act was he trying to execute? What kind of jerk was he to haggle to take over the case? Bong’s conduct was unprofessional. Was he delusional? Go In Do laughed at Bong’s loony notion of being the new Defense Lawyer and lectured him on abiding by the lawyer's professional code. He was not to harass or mislead his client. In other words, he was telling Bong to get lost. Go In Doo must have been pretty scared by Bong Sang Pil’s insistence. Bong Sang Pil had a solid reputation as an effective lawyer. While verbally grappling with Go In Doo, the legal eagle from Seoul noticed something unsettling that was going on between the man and the woman who were behind Go In Do. Bong Sang Pil had an eagle eye.  Was the man sexually harassing the young lady? Later, it turned out that the man was Judge Baek, a sexual pervert, who was involved in the murder trial.  Was Go In Do colluding with the judge?

A DRONE FOR ALL MISSIONS Bong Sang Pil instructed his lieutenant, Tae Kwang Soo through the phone to begin his special task. Tae was actually on the rooftop of the building next to the building where Go In Doo’s office was located.  The lawless team were plotting to use a drone, a high-tech tool, to obtain incriminating evidence against the criminals.  Drones could be used for many purposes but Tae's mission was to film the Criminal Defence Lawyer in the act of colluding with the criminal Chairman of the Ohju Group.  Go In Doo was caught on film in a conversation with Ahn Oh Ju. A conspiracy had unfolded. Ahn Oh Ju’s strict instruction to the Defense Counsel was to ensure that Wu Hyeong Man, the murder suspect, stayed in jail. The smell of money. If Go In Doo could ensure the long-term prison stay of the former detective, he would be handsomely rewarded.  Wu Hyeong Man was to be the fall guy for the murder of the Mayor. But, the Criminal Defense Lawyer, like all cautious lawyers, was worried. A question nagged at him. Did Ahn Oh Ju have something on him that would turn out to be troublesome in the trial? Ahn Oh Ju, not hesitating for a moment, had a ready answer. There was one guy who could provide an alibi for Wu Hyeong Man. The man should be silenced. The unethical and immoral lawyer allayed his worries and promised the gangster Chairman that he would try his best to destroy the accused’s chances of getting off scot-free. The conspiracy was recorded on film. Bong Sang Pil had used technology to catch the criminals red-handed. Action could be taken against Bong Sang Pil or his drone operator, Manager Tae.   Spying with a drone and illegally recording somebody in a private place without their consent would be considered a criminal offence. A hovering drone was an invasion of privacy.  But then, Bong Sang Pil was a lawless lawyer.

THE NEW OFFICE MANAGER AT WORK One night, Bong Sang Pil was in his office. He spotted Ha Jae Yi hard at work at her desk. She seemed similar to his mother. Another flashback brought back painful memories of Ahn Oh Ju in his mother’s law office. The young boy was there. The gangster had an intimidating presence. Later, Choi Jin Ae, his mother asked him whether he was afraid of the mobsters. Bong Sang Pil, young as he was, wasn’t intimidated and his mother encouraged him to be a good lawyer. Bong had not expected Ha Jae Yi to be working at that late hour. She was detailed-oriented and had been carrying out legal research work, gathering and analysing information. He urged her to go home to rest as they had an important court case to attend the next day.  But, Ha Jae Yi was pulling an all-nighter. She would stay there until morning if she had to. Bong Sang Pil’s contagious enthusiasm must have rubbed off on her. They discussed the court case. Something had bothered her but she couldn’t put a finger on it. She was of the opinion that Wu Hyeong Man did not trust his own Defense Lawyer. There was no motive for him to kill the Mayor. She had confirmed the fact because she had paid him a visit by herself. Bong Sang Pil was impressed with her work attitude; she would make a good lawyer as she was able to analyse and figure out the case by herself. It seemed that they shared the same opinion about the murder case, so they would definitely have to take up the case.

THE MAYOR’S MURDER CASE THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL Ki Seong District Court. The Presiding Judge, was Cha Moon Sook.  She was trying the murder case with two other judges.  On the first day of the trial, Wu Hyeong Man had been charged with the murder of the Mayor of Ki Seong.  Investigator Min was summoned to testify. The exhibits of the police included the blood on the murder knife; it was the Mayor’s blood. Wu Hyeong Man’s fingerprints were on the murder weapon. The Mayor’s blood was found on Wu Hyeong Man’s pants. The footprints of Wu Hyeong Man’s shoes were found at the murder site. All the pieces of evidence proved Wu Hyeong Man was the murderer of the Mayor of Ki Seong.  Judge Cha Moon Sook called on Go In Doo, the Criminal Defense Lawyer, to cross examine the witness but there were neither questions nor objections from him.  It was shocking that Go In Doo did nothing to ferret out the truth; he did not bother  to lift a finger to defend his client.  Bong Sang Pil almost choked with laughter. Wu Hyeong Man, who was seated at the defense table with his lawyer, was confused by his Go In Doo’s passive attitude.  Go In Doo did not even try to put his case in favourable light. Woo Hyeong Man was agitated.  The lawyer placated the accused by advising him to be patient as he was still working on the case. As far as everyone knew, Go In Doo was the best lawyer in town. But, it was obvious that there was something amiss about his behaviour and attitude.  The unconcealed passiveness of the experienced lawyer stuck out like a sore thumb in court.  Then, another prosecution witness was brought in to give his testimony.  The Prosecutor questioned him. She stated that the defendant had revealed that he was with the accused on the day of the murder.  But to Wu Hyeong Man’s horror, the witness vehemently denied it. Wu’s alibi was gone. The witness's denial ensured that he remained in square one. Again, Go In Doo, the Defense Lawyer did not cross-examine the witness.  By then, it dawned on Wu Hyeong Man that something was very wrong. To those present, it was crystal clear that the defendant would not be getting a fair trial. Something fishy was going on. It was questionable whether the Defense Counsel had his client's welfare in mind. The Defense Lawyer was apparently helping the Prosecutor to win the case. He was making a mockery of the the justice system. Bong Sang Pil watched the proceedings with wry amusement. Scorn filled his eyes. Was his blood boiling? Judge Cha Moon Sook noticed the discrepancy and requested the two lawyers, the Public Prosecutor and the Criminal Defense Lawyer to approach the bench. Bong Sang Pil and Ha Jae Yi who were seated in the gallery knew that there was some hanky panky going on in the court case.  Bong was determined to crack the case. Judge Cha wanted to know why Go In Doo who was representing the accused was not performing his duties as the Defense Lawyer. He neither lifted his finger to help nor asked any questions.  He defended himself by explaining he was still gathering more evidence for the case. The court adjourned and the trial would resume in 4 days.

JUDGE CHA MOON SOOK IN BED WITH THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER After the trial, Cha Moon Sook, the presiding Judge, Go In Doo, the Criminal Defense Lawyer and Kang Yeon Hee, the Public Prosecutor had tea in the judge's chambers. Kang Yeon Hee praised the fragrance of the tea. Go In Doo opined that he preferred the scent of money more than the fragrance of the tea.  Judge Cha commented that she had a hard time making Go In Doo a good lawyer. She implied that he, an experienced lawyer with 25 years of lawyering behind him, was allowing the Prosecutor to win the case. The small talk reeked of blatant corruption. Kang Yeon Hee felt uneasy with the talk. She wanted no part in the conflict between the two so she excused herself. After Prosecutor Kang left, all pretences fell away. Judge Cha called Go In Doo, Oppa. ‘Oppa’ means 'big brother' to the South Koreans.  But, what exactly was the relationship between the public servant and the public servant-turned-corporate lawyer?  She asked whether his performance at the judicial court was a joke. She was furious with his public display of stupidity. Judge Cha Moon Sook suddenly turned on him. The Judge proved to be a powerful man-eater in Ki Seong.  She commanded him to get down on his knees and prostrate before her, which he did so immediately. It was a demeaning position. His client had been accused of a very serious crime – murder but he, as the Defence Lawyer, did not treat the matter seriously. She kicked him violently. Imagine!  She admonished him for not even trying to pretend to defend his client. Judge Cha then ordered him to get up. Pinching his stomach, she rebuked him for failing to keep up appearances. He should have at least put on a pretence of helping his client.  What if Wu Hyeong Man decided to change lawyers? They would be in hot soup. She was a smart woman but she couldn’t deal with stupidity in her minions. Bluntly admonishing him for his lack of professionalism, she warned him not to be seen as a blatant perpetrator of injustice. What she meant was Wu Hyeong Man must be seen to be receiving a fair trial. Go In Doo must have grown complacent and arrogant in his corrupt corporate ways that he had become overconfident of himself in the judicial court. He should not have ridden roughshod over the accused.  She, as the judge, had to protect the sanctity of the court or at least pretend to. Her reputation must remain above suspicion. What if people suspected that she was in collusion with corrupt corporate lawyers or professionals?  Go In Doo suddenly realised the error of his ways. He pleaded for forgiveness and promised to do a better job next time.

SOLICITATION Bong Sang Pil visited the doomed murder suspect in jail again. Wu Hyeong Man, the accused seemed so blur about his situation. Bong told him about the intention of his visit but the accused refused to change lawyers. Bong Sang Pil went straight to the point. He pointed out that it was Wu Hyeong Man’s lucky day at court that day but he might not be so lucky another day.  He drove home the point that some people who committed minor crimes were in jail for 5 years but a villainous criminal could get off scot-free.  He might not be aware that certain things could have been planned. The judge may be in cahoots with the lawyers, the Public Prosecutors and Defense Lawyers. He went on to argue that Go In Doo was corrupt and all pretence. Eyes in the sky. He showed the video images that the drone camera had captured. The audio was loud and clear. The evidence was complete. Bong argued that his lawyer wanted him to lose the case. Ahn Oh Ju did not kill him but sent him to jail to be the fall guy for the murder of the Mayor. Bong Sang Pil stressed that his enemy’s enemy was his friend. It was clear that Ahn Oh Ju was the enemy of the accused and he wanted the former detective to be a permanent resident in the prison.  Bong emphasized that he was Wu's lifeline; he would be his rescuer. Bong Sang Pil urged the mulish Wu Hyeong Man to sign the consent form to give Bong the right to represent him in court.  Suspicious of Bong's motives, the accused ordered him to leave. Bong Sang Pil  couldn't help but laughed at the naivety and pig-headedness of the accused. The next morning while brushing his teeth, a hit man  tried to choke Wu Hyeong Man to death but the former detective was alert enough to stab him with a broken toothbrush.

REFLECTIONS Ha Jae Yi was deep in thought at the office; she was ruminating over certain events.  She had visited Wu Hyeong Man by herself and questioned him about his lack of trust for his own lawyer. She also knew that before the murder case, he had planned to quit his job as a detective to look after his sick wife. She received a text message from her father to meet up. They talked about the old times and about the sale of their house in the past. The house had reminded him of his wife. He seemed to have regretted selling it. It was raining. Rainy days always reminded Ha Jae Yi of her mother's disappearance. She wondered if her mother was still alive.