Ch.157Chapter 157. The Full Story (3)

The Navy began to employ delaying tactics.

They had “suddenly died” anyone involved in the case who might speak up, and forced the rest to keep their mouths shut.

They were even attempting to destroy case records.

Almost everything had been burned away, except for the trial documents I had obtained in advance.

While evidence from cases was supposed to be preserved for 20 years as a rule, the Navy simply cut their losses by shifting responsibility to the records manager for negligence.

For being caught by surprise, their response was far too calm and perfect.

Juliane was starting to get anxious.

“James Serbanov. Thirteen years ago, you were the military prosecutor for the ‘Jinsoo Kim’ case. Is that correct?”

“How many times are you going to ask me the same question?”

“We’ve obtained testimony from civilian employees who worked at the court at that time. They say Jinsoo Kim showed signs of severe beating with bruises all over his body. Regarding torture and threats…”

“I’ve told you, those were self-inflicted injuries. There was no torture. No threats either.”

“Even without a confession, there’s too much evidence. The torture—who ordered it? You didn’t make that decision independently, did you? You could end up taking all the blame yourself and get 20 years. Would you rather confess cleanly and serve just one year, or receive a 20-year sentence?”

“I received no such orders. No matter how many times you ask, my answer remains the same.”

“…”

The sound came through the speakers beyond the thick glass of the interrogation room.

Juliane sighed deeply as she watched the military officer speaking calmly despite being handcuffed.

All the relevant people she had protected from the risk of “sudden death” were similarly tight-lipped.

Were their families or money being held hostage?

At this rate, Jinsoo’s false accusation might be concluded as a minor incident caused by a single prosecutor’s misconduct.

“Senior. If I go in and conduct the interrogation…”

“No. You’re not qualified.”

“Ugh…”

Juliane was immediately blocked by her superior’s arm as she tried to step forward.

She was only there to observe the interrogation.

Juliane was in no position to be involved with the special investigation committee.

The reason was that her emotions might affect the investigation if she were to participate.

“This makes no sense! The military prosecution secured the scene first, right after his ex-wife committed suicide. So who else but those military prosecutors could have planted the forged suicide note? Having to go through all this trouble to connect such obvious dots is really… Sigh…”

“…”

Her superior couldn’t say anything to Juliane, who was stomping her foot in frustration.

Normally, he would have scolded her to act more like an investigator, but he couldn’t do that now.

Who could remain rational when their family member had been wrongfully imprisoned, and even after filing a complaint upon release, nothing was being done about it?

He could understand her frustration to some extent.

“Everyone. You need to leave now.”

“What?”

“The security level has just been raised, and all outsiders must evacuate.”

“What’s this all of a sudden…”

Juliane and her superior were suddenly pushed out of the interrogation room.

As they were being directed toward the back door without explanation, they saw investigators carrying boxes entering through the main entrance amid commotion.

‘They found something!’

No matter how thoroughly evidence is destroyed, humans make mistakes.

Finding those gaps through meticulous searching was precisely the job of investigators and prosecutors.

And those gathered for the special investigation committee were the elite of the elite.

They must have caught the Navy’s mistake and obtained decisive evidence.

Juliane left the building with a bright expression.

*

“This… this doesn’t make sense…”

Juliane kept breaking into awkward laughter as she received the report.

Indeed, humans make mistakes.

But even mistakes have their limits.

“The CCTV tape was stuck behind a cabinet in the records room for over ten years? Ha, these idiots. Hehehe… Ah… I can’t believe I’ve been fighting against people like this.”

The exact time of the rape and murder case from 13 years ago had not been determined.

This was because the CCTV records had somehow been lost.

But that videotape had been found covered in dust in a corner of the Navy court’s records room.

They had dropped it behind a cabinet and left it there unnoticed for 13 years.

“Got it. We finally got it…”

Juliane sobbed with her head on the desk.

If it was evidence that had entered the records room, it meant the military prosecution’s higher-ups had already reviewed it.

Despite confirming evidence showing the exact time of the incident, they deliberately chose not to adopt it.

This was clear evidence that the military prosecution had attempted to manipulate evidence.

“But why would they…”

Suddenly questioning, Juliane operated her computer as if in a trance.

According to the report, the CCTV footage captured the perpetrator fleeing the crime scene.

However, the perpetrator was wearing a hat and thick clothing, making it insufficient to identify them.

If so, what reason could there be for not adopting this footage as evidence?

What Juliane searched for in her trance-like state was none other than Jinsoo’s card usage records from the day of the incident.

-20:12

A record confirmed he had used his card at a bar at 8:12 PM.

And the time the perpetrator left the crime scene, as stated in the report, was 8:13 PM.

At virtually the same time, Jinsoo was five miles away from the crime scene.

In other words, his alibi was proven.

“Yes! We did it!”

Juliane jumped up and cheered.

She had found one of the two ways to prove Jinsoo wasn’t the perpetrator.

Of course, finding the real criminal would be most definitive, but this alibi alone should be sufficient for a not guilty verdict in a retrial.

Above all, it had also been proven that the military prosecution had intentionally manipulated evidence and used torture and threats.

Things were going better than imagined.

All thanks to some absent-minded military personnel who dropped that one videotape in a corner.

“Juliane. Good news.”

Turning around at the knocking sound, she saw her superior tapping on the open door.

Juliane rose from her creaking chair with a puzzled expression.

“What is it? Has the report been updated?”

“No. The media is faster with these things.”

“…?”

Her superior gestured for her to come outside.

Following him out, she saw people gathering around a screen mounted in the office.

With the screen blocked by the crowd, Juliane climbed onto a desk.

News was streaming on the screen.

-Eight Navy generals related to the Jinsoo scandal detained. Highest rank includes a full general…

“Eight?!”

Detaining eight generals at once?

Juliane burst into laughter in disbelief.

Now it was finally becoming an issue worthy of being called a scandal.

***

After submitting my retrial application, I was immediately summoned to court.

Since this was an issue attracting nationwide attention, it seemed the trial was being prioritized.

I was exhausted from reporters following me everywhere.

I was called in twice to testify about everything I remembered.

And today was my third visit.

The day of the retrial verdict.

-The former Pacific Fleet Commander has admitted to being involved in the Jinsoo case…

News was flowing from the television.

“Wow. That old man is still alive.”

The Justice Department’s investigation into the Navy was proceeding smoothly.

Who could have known that all this would happen because some Marine Corps fanboy dropped a videotape?

All the generals who had been in the military prosecution and military court at that time were detained.

True to the Navy’s reputation for loyalty, no one was talking, but eventually the former Pacific Commander, who was suffering from illness, spoke up.

He said he had ordered the case to be covered up.

Perhaps he felt it was okay to share the responsibility since he was near the end of his life anyway.

Either way, it was a touching display of comradeship.

“Those vermin…”

They used to be figures I respected in my own way.

People to whom I had sincerely pledged my loyalty while saluting.

But I didn’t particularly feel betrayed.

I only felt pity, wondering how such distinguished people had become so despicable.

“Jinsoo Kim. It’s your turn.”

“…”

A court employee opened the door for me.

As I entered, countless camera flashes went off from the gallery, all aimed at me.

It was the day to put an end to a fight that felt both long and short, and perhaps even futile.

I gave a slight smile to Juliane and Cuss, who were waving from the gallery, then took my seat.

“How are you today, Jinsoo Kim?”

“Very well.”

“Then let’s begin.”

The judge picked up the verdict document after giving a gentle smile.

It was an ominous sign.

In my experience, when judges are kind, the outcome is usually not good.

“The Los Angeles County 47th District Court of California announces the verdict for case number 840W209845, ‘Jinsoo Kim.’ Verdict Form B.”

I examined the faces of the jury members.

They all maintained solemn expressions, not even glancing at me.

As the judge opened his lips again, the sound of flashes going off fiercely came from behind.

“The jury finds Jinsoo Kim not guilty.”

“Wooooah!!!”

My ears went numb from the sudden outburst of cheers.

Even though the verdict had been announced, my brain still couldn’t properly comprehend its meaning and remained blank.

Not guilty. Not guilty.

No crime…

After a moment’s delay, when I finally understood everything, the strength in my legs gave way.

The lawyers on either side grabbed my arms to help me up and patted my back.

“Jinsoo Kim. You stood here after serving 10 years in prison under false accusations. You will no longer have to appear in court for this case. You are no longer an ex-convict. I wish you good fortune.”

I don’t know how many times I had imagined this moment.

Even in prison, I constantly imagined receiving a not guilty verdict, and in the labor camp where people were dying left and right, I lived dreaming of this day.

In those imaginings, I was cheering and smiling broadly.

“Thank you… Thank you… Thank you, really…”

But reality was different.

I found myself crying like a little girl, repeating the same words.

Freedom. I had finally become truly free.