Seoul Central District Court
The courtroom buzzed with anticipation an hour before the hearing began. Camera crews filled the back, while reporters filled the first three rows.
At the defense table, Heeyeon Hwang, with her red hair neatly tied back in a bun, reviewed her notes but kept glancing at the vacant seat next to her.
Across the room, the prosecution's table was occupied by three attorneys in dark suits who spoke quietly among themselves, occasionally casting satisfied looks toward the defense.
Crystal Choi entered through the main entrance, silencing the room. Dressed in a black dress, her composed demeanor belied her swollen, reddened eyes. She walked carefully, seemingly holding herself together by sheer force of will. Her hands trembled as she clasped them on her lap.
Byeon Kim entered behind her, his red sunglasses gleaming under the fluorescent lights, and the scars on his face drew attention. He took a seat two places away from Crystal, hands folded with intent.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Park Seonwoo."
Judge Park, an imposing man in his late fifties with grey hair and wire-rimmed glasses, entered. His expression hinted at preformed opinions about the case.
"Be seated." He opened the case file and read it for a long moment. "This is the preliminary hearing for Case Number 2026-CR-4721. The People versus Baki Hanma, charged with first-degree murder."
Three guards escorted Baki into the courtroom, clad in an orange jumpsuit, with his wrists cuffed in front of him. He kept his gaze downward, ignoring Heeyeon as he sat beside her.
Heeyeon leaned closer and whispered to him, eliciting a subtle smile from Baki.
"Attorney Hwang, does your client understand the charges?"
Heeyeon stood. "Yes, Your Honor."
"And how does he plead?"
"Not guilty, Your Honor."
Whispers circulated through the gallery. Judge Park's gaze remained fixed on Baki.
Prosecutor Kim Daeshik rose. "Your Honor, the prosecution requests that the defendant be denied bail. The evidence is significant and incontrovertible. Charles Choi was a key figure in this country's economy, and this crime was a calculated and brutal assault, leaving Mr. Choi's body unrecognizable."
Crystal Choi covered her mouth in distress, her shoulders shaking before she regained her composure.
Judge Park's expression softened briefly as he glanced at her, then he turned back to Baki, and his demeanor hardened. "Does the defendant wish to speak?"
Baki met his gaze. "No, Your Honor."
"Bail is denied." Judge Park made a note. "The defendant will remain in custody until the trial. Are both sides ready to present opening statements?"
Heeyeon's grip tightened around her pen.
"The prosecution is prepared, Your Honor."
Heeyeon adjusted her suit jacket. "The defense is ready."
"Proceed, Prosecutor Kim."
Kim moved to the center of the courtroom. "Your Honor, this case is straightforward. On the night of January 8th, 2012, the defendant Baki Hanma killed Charles Choi. We possess video evidence that is clear and unequivocal."
He paused for effect.
"You will witness the defendant unleash repeated blows on Charles Choi, ruthlessly breaking his body. You will see Mr. Choi attempt to plead for mercy, ultimately succumbing to his injuries while the defendant stands over him without any sign of remorse."
Kim's voice grew more forceful. "The defense will likely recount scenarios that could have occurred prior to the footage, but the video does not lie. Baki Hanma committed extreme brutality against Charles Choi. This is murder."
He returned to his seat, leaving the courtroom eerily quiet.
"Defense, your opening statement."
Heeyeon stepped forward, focusing on Judge Park, aware of his seemingly fixed mindset.
"Your Honor, my client does not deny that he killed Charles Choi."
The gallery erupted in murmurs.
"However, killing is not automatically murder. The law recognizes circumstances that allow for the lawful taking of a life in defense of another."
She pointed to the prosecution table. "The prosecution has video evidence detailing the final moments of Charles Choi's life, but that video does not convey the entire story. It captures a moment, but fails to show the events leading up to it."
Her voice grew stronger. "Today I will prove that Charles Choi was engaged in a violent attack on a police officer. My client intervened to stop that threat. This is not murder, Your Honor; it is a lawful defense of another."
She sat down, and Baki observed her with a hint of amusement.
Judge Park took notes. "Prosecutor Kim, you may call your first witness."
"The prosecution calls Commissioner Jang Hyunwoo."
Dressed in his uniform and adorned with medals, Commissioner Jang took the witness stand.
"Commissioner Jang, how did you learn of this case?"
"On January 11th, around 3:00 AM, we received an anonymous package containing a USB drive with video footage."
"What was depicted in the footage?"
"It captured the defendant killing Charles Choi."
"Can you describe the video in detail?"
"The footage lasts about forty seconds, showing a rural outdoor area in heavy rain. In it, the defendant and Charles Choi are in a violent altercation, with the defendant overpowering Mr. Choi and delivering brutal blows. Despite Mr. Choi's attempts to escape, the defendant relentlessly pursues him. The clip concludes with Mr. Choi lying motionless and the defendant standing above him."
Crystal Choi gasped softly. Byeon Kim placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.
"What actions did you take after viewing this video?"
"We confirmed its authenticity. The forensics team established that it had not been altered. We subsequently obtained an arrest warrant and apprehended the defendant."
"Did the defendant resist arrest?"
"No, he was waiting for us and seemed to expect us."
Kim turned towards the defense table. "Thank you, Commissioner. The prosecution submits the video footage as Exhibit A."
"Any objections, Attorney Hwang?"
Heeyeon quickly stood. "No objection to its submission, Your Honor, but we reserve the right to provide context regarding the content."
Judge Park's expression indicated her concerns held little weight. "Noted. The video is admitted. Bailiff, prepare for playback."
The lights dimmed, and a screen descended, displaying the video.
Though grainy, the footage was clear, showing a clearing near a farmhouse, drenched in rain.
In the mud lay Charles Choi, his leg bent at an awkward angle, blood smeared across his face, barely able to move.
Baki stood over him, blood trickling from his own injured left eye.
Charles attempted to speak, his mouth moving slightly.
Baki seized Charles by the collar, lifting him. He then drew back his fist and struck Charles's face, causing his body to spin and crash back to the mud.
Charles lay still, no longer breathing.
Standing over the corpse, rain washed the blood off Baki's face. He mouthed something before exiting the frame.
The video concluded, and the courtroom regained its brightness.
Silence enveloped the room. Several reporters covered their mouths in shock.
Crystal Choi sat with her hands over her face, her shoulders shaking. Byeon Kim stared blankly at the screen, while his red sunglasses reflected the lights.
Judge Park had turned pale. "That was..." He faltered. "The brutality of that attack is undeniable."
Baki yawned, covering his mouth with his cuffed hands.
Judge Park's demeanor hardened. "Does the defendant find this amusing?"
Baki met his gaze calmly. "No, Your Honor. Just tired."
"You will have plenty of time to rest in your cell. Please continue, Prosecutor Kim."
"Commissioner Jang, based on the video, did you have probable cause to arrest the defendant?"
"Yes. The video clearly shows an act of extreme violence."
"No further questions."
"Your witness, Attorney Hwang."
Heeyeon approached the stand. "Commissioner Jang, that video lasts forty seconds. What transpired in the minutes before that?"
"I cannot say. The video doesn't depict that."
"You mentioned the footage was sent anonymously. Have you discovered who sent it?"
"No, the investigation is ongoing."
"So someone with unknown motives provided footage showing only part of the events? Did you investigate the location?"
"Yes, we thoroughly examined the scene."
"What did you find?"
"Evidence of the altercation: blood and damage to structures. We also uncovered indications that others were present."
The gallery buzzed with intrigue.
"What sort of evidence?"
"Footprints from at least two other individuals. Blood that didn't match either Mr. Choi or the defendant. Personal belongings."
"What belongings?"
Jang hesitated. "A police badge belonging to Officer Jichang Kwak, and more importantly, the house where the murder took place belonged to an elderly farmer named Noh Bakugo."
The murmurs intensified.
"So, there were witnesses. Did you attempt to locate them?"
"Yes, both men were the subject of bulletins. Neither has been located since the night in question."
"Have you considered they may be in danger? That someone might not want them to testify?"
"Objection! Counsel is indulging in conspiracy theories."
Judge Park's voice rang sharp. "Sustained. Attorney Hwang, stick to the established facts."
"No further questions."
Kim called the medical examiner to the stand.
Dr. Lee Minho, a slender man in his sixties with grey hair, delivered his testimony in a monotone manner.
"Dr. Lee, you performed the autopsy on Charles Choi. Can you detail his injuries?"
"Multiple fractures throughout the body. Both legs broken in multiple places. Ribs fractured, some drove into the lungs. The spine fractured in three areas. Skull fractured. Severe internal bleeding. The cause of death was massive trauma to the brain and vital organs."
"Would you categorize this as excessive force?"
"Objection. A medical examiner can't make legal conclusions."
Judge Park barely glanced at the objection. "Overruled."
Dr. Lee nodded. "From a medical standpoint, the injuries far exceeded what would have been necessary to incapacitate someone. Many blows were delivered after Mr. Choi could no longer defend himself."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Heeyeon approached. "Dr. Lee, did you find evidence of Mr. Choi engaging in violence just prior to his death?"
"His knuckles showed fresh bruises and abrasions. Skin under his fingernails did not match his own or the defendant's."
The gallery murmured again.
"Whose skin was it?"
"We couldn't match it. However, it suggests physical contact with at least one other person that night."
"Could that contact have been violent?"
"The patterns of bruising indicate he was likely striking someone or something."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Kim called his forensics expert next. The video was confirmed as unaltered. The metadata was authentic, and the footage was genuine.
Judge Park glanced at his watch. "We'll take a break for lunch. Court will reconvene at 2:30 PM. At that time, the defense may present its case."
He directed a look at Heeyeon. "I assume you have witnesses ready?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"I trust they are more substantial than mere speculation about missing individuals. This court deals with facts, not theories."
Baki let out a sound that could have been laughter.
"Something to contribute, Mr. Hanma?"
Baki grinned. "No, Your Honor. Just clearing my throat."
"The defendant will exhibit proper respect, or he will be held in contempt. Is that understood?"
"Perfectly clear, Your Honor."
The guards came to escort Baki back to custody. He rose and stretched. "He really doesn't like me."
"Seeing your smugness, I wouldn't too. Moreover, he's already made up his mind about your guilt," Heeyeon replied quietly. "That video is worse than I anticipated."
"There isn't a jury yet."
"I know." She snapped her briefcase closed. "But the current impression is that you are a monster who brutally killed a well-regarded businessman in the rain."
Baki's smile widened. "Well-regarded is a strong term."
"To them, he is." She looked him directly in the eye. "Where are Kwak and Bakugo?"
"If I knew, I would tell you."
"Doesn't your plan include them?"
"It does."
The guards led him away, and Heeyeon watched him depart before noticing Kim Daeshik meticulously organizing his files, with his assistants smiling.
Crystal Choi stood and moved toward the exit, her movements robotic. Byeon Kim followed at a respectful distance, though his gaze remained fixed on Heeyeon. When their eyes met, he offered a small nod that could have been either respectful or mocking.
Heeyeon exited through a side door into a hallway brimming with reporters clamoring for attention.
"Will Baki Hanma testify?"
"Do you have witnesses?"
"How do you represent someone after footage like that?"
She managed to locate an empty conference room and locked the door behind her. Sitting on a chair she pulled her hair in frustration. "Damnit! That guy doesn't trust my abilities at all. Why did I even think of representing him? He's impossible to deal with."
With trial set to resume in ninety minutes, she had to devise a defense for a man caught on camera murdering someone.