The Devil Judge [Bl Version] - Chapter 14: The Second Trial

As Ga-on settled into his temporary residence, his eyes were fixed on the television screen, where the courtroom drama unfolded once again. The trial was in full swing, the stakes higher than ever, and Ga-on couldn\’t afford to miss a moment of it.

But as the proceedings commenced, a sudden twist caught him off guard. Yo-han, his enigmatic ally and adversary, took center stage with a flourish. Ga-on\’s heart raced as he watched, his attention ensnared by the gravity of Yo-han\’s presence.

And then, in a moment that seemed to transcend the boundaries of the courtroom and reach directly into Ga-on\’s soul, Yo-han\’s voice rang out. His request, delivered with a gravitas that was nothing short of dramatic, reverberated through the airwaves.

\”Pray for Ga-on\’s healthy return,\” Yo-han\’s words echoed, their weight settling over the room. Ga-on\’s photo filled the screen, a stark reminder of his absence from the proceedings.

The unexpected plea left Ga-on startled, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He couldn\’t help but be taken aback by the sincerity in Yo-han\’s voice, the unspoken concern that had found its way into the courtroom drama.

But Ga-on, never one to pass up an opportunity for a playful jab, couldn\’t resist a chide. \”Dramatic as always, aren\’t you?\” he muttered under his breath, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He knew Yo-han could neither hear nor see him, but the sentiment was there—a reminder that their interactions were always shrouded in layers of complexity and intrigue.

\”Your Honor, members of the jury,\” the prosecutor began, their voice commanding attention from all corners of the room. \”We are here today to determine the fate of the defendant, Mr. Young-min, a young man of only 20 years old. The charge against him is serious, but it comes with a unique twist of circumstance.\”

As they spoke, the prosecutor motioned toward a wiry young man with nervous eyes, sitting in the defendant\’s seat. Young-min\’s face bore the weight of the proceedings, and he anxiously glanced at Chef Kim Sung-hoon, the key witness in the case.

\”Chef Kim Sung-hoon,\” the prosecutor continued, \”is a witness to a crime, a crime that directly affected him.\”

The chef bowed his head, his graying hair hiding his eyes as if to shield them from the weight of the situation. His hands trembled slightly, betraying his inner turmoil.

\”As we are aware,\” the prosecutor continued, \”under the law, Mr. Young-min can only be charged if the victims wish it. It is a unique provision, one that recognizes the complexities of certain situations. Your Honor, Chef Kim Sung-hoon is the victim in this case. He has the power to decide whether he wants Young-min, a young man with his whole life ahead of him, to be punished for the crimes he allegedly committed against him.\”

Tension gripped the courtroom as all eyes remained fixed on Chef Kim Sung-hoon. The silence was palpable, broken only by the soft murmur of the air conditioning.

Finally, in a voice barely louder than a whisper, Chef Kim Sung-hoon spoke. \”I… I don\’t want Young-min punished.\”

His words hung in the air, a heavy silence following in their wake. It was a moment of profound significance, a testament to the intricacies of justice and the humanity of those involved. The weight of his decision, a reflection of his own inner struggle, was felt by everyone present.

With a measured and respectful tone, Yo-han inquired, \”Chef Kim Sung-hoon, you had been adamant in your initial petition for Mr. Young-min to be brought to justice. Can you please explain what changed your mind?\”

Chef Kim Sung-hoon\’s shoulders slumped with an additional burden, one that he kept hidden deep within his heart. Unbeknownst to those in the courtroom, Chef Kim Sung-hoon\’s building, his home, and the homes of many other residents were being sold due to the ongoing legal battle he had initiated against Young-min.

His head remained bowed, not out of shame, but out of profound sadness for the impending loss of his home and the disruption it would bring to the lives of his neighbors.

\”Chef Kim Sung-hoon,\” Judge Yo-han spoke gently, \”I sense that there may be more to your decision than what you\’ve shared with us today. Is there something else you wish to tell the court?\”

As the prosecutor, still wearing a smug expression, announced that the charges against Young-min were being withdrawn, a palpable tension filled the courtroom. The sudden turn of events left the spectators and legal teams in shock, and all eyes turned to the young defendant who had been at the center of the case.

Young-min, his face a mixture of relief and guilt, stood up. His voice quivered slightly as he addressed the court, \”Your Honor, I would like to speak.\”

Judge Yo-han nodded. Young-min bowed deeply, his expression earnest. \”Chef Kim Sung-hoon, I want to apologize from the depths of my heart. What I did was not just a mistake; it was a grave injustice. I caused you pain and suffering, and for that, I am truly sorry.\”

Tears welled up in Chef Kim Sung-hoon\’s eyes as he fought to maintain his composure. He remained silent, not yet ready to accept the apology but acknowledging the sincerity behind it.

As the courtroom\’s tension continued to simmer, Judge Yo-han, determined not to conclude the trial hastily, decided to delve deeper into Young-min\’s history. He knew that there was more to the story than what had been presented so far.

Turning his attention to Young-min, Judge Yo-han questioned, \”Young-min, I\’ve been informed about 12 previous assault cases you settled out of court. Can you explain these incidents?\”

Young-min hesitated, realizing that his past actions were catching up with him. He cleared his throat and began to recount, \”Your Honor, those incidents happened when I was younger, and I deeply regret my actions. I have tried to change and make amends.\”

Judge Yo-han nodded but remained resolute in his pursuit of the truth. He then turned his attention to the public, recognizing that there might be more to Young-min\’s history than met the eye.

\”Ladies and gentlemen in the courtroom and those watching remotely,\” Judge Yo-han addressed the public, \”if anyone recognizes Young-min or has information relevant to this case, you may call in through the DIKE voting app.\”

The DIKE voting app had become a means for the public to contribute to the judicial process, ensuring that justice was served transparently and with community input.

As the calls came flooding in from individuals who had witnessed or been victims of Young-min\’s past abusive behavior, the courtroom was filled with a sense of collective shock and realization. It became clear that Young-min\’s history was far more extensive than initially presented.

Judge Yo-han listened attentively as these individuals shared their experiences, their voices trembling with a mixture of anger and relief for finally having the opportunity to speak out.

Turning to the public, Judge Yo-han posed a critical question, \”Ladies and gentlemen, based on the evidence presented and the information shared by those who have called in, do you believe Young-min deserves harsh punishment?\”

The vote was conducted through the DIKE voting app, and the response was overwhelming. Over 90% of the public believed that Young-min should face harsh consequences for his habitual assault.

Judge Yo-han took a moment to consider the overwhelming sentiment of the public. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of community values and the desire for justice to be served.

With a solemn tone, Judge Yo-han addressed the courtroom, \”Based on the evidence presented and the overwhelming sentiment of the public, I am ordering the prosecution to amend the indictment from simple assault to habitual assault. This case will be thoroughly reviewed, and justice will be pursued accordingly.\”

\”Chef Kim Sung-hoon, I want you to understand that in the case of habitual assault, charges can be brought even after a settlement. No case will be buried in my courtroom,\” he emphasized. \”You can\’t buy justice with money.\”

As Judge Yo-han\’s words echoed in the courtroom, the audience ate up the message, finding inspiration in the idea that justice could prevail even in the face of power and wealth. It was a moment that would leave a lasting impression, not only on the characters within the story but on the viewers and readers as well.

As applause filled the screen, Ga-on, who had been following the trial closely, felt a profound realization wash over him. It was now abundantly clear why Judge Yo-han had been so determined to broadcast this trial to the public.

In that moment, Ga-on understood that the trial wasn\’t just about adjudicating a legal case. It was a deliberate and powerful message to the society at large. Judge Yo-han had used this platform to demonstrate that the pursuit of justice was not influenced by wealth, power, or privilege. 

Ga-on thinks back to Yo-han\’s non-response when he asked why he involved himself in this rigged game of justice. More determined than ever, Ga-on picks the lock on a door leading to a basement room that looks like it hasn\’t been touched in decades.

To be continued…