130 The Case Closes (1/2)

The public prosecutor also called in several witnesses, including a few of their neighbours, Lee Do Joon's coworkers and Hyuk's close friends. The two practitioners took turns questioning the witnesses.

A varying number of views were laid out.

Some referred to Lee Do Joon as a decent guy, but many others, including the neighbours and several of his coworkers did not hesitate to present their misgivings about the deceased man, which, in turn, protected Hyuk.

”He was a little strange,” one said.

”—I've lived in the same neighbourhood for over a decade. He was notorious for being a raging alcoholic and abusive. I felt sorry for the kids, but I was afraid he was going to come after me.”

”—Truthfully, we all kind of knew what was going on with that family. We've already made several reports on him, but for some reason the authorities are just leaving him be. When that guy found out people were reporting him, he went on a rampage and took his revenge on each and every one of the reporters. Since then, we had no choice but to stay away.

”—Honestly, I understand why the kid did what he did. That guy probably brought it upon himself.”

Finally, Jin Goo, the last one called, stepped up onto the stand and introduced himself as Hyuk's closest friend.

”Do you believe that your friend murdered the victim?” The prosecutor asked.

Jin Goo inwardly frowned, but kept a cool pokerface on the outside. ”While it is true that Hyuk is a little short-tempered, but he is not someone who would kill people just because he got hit. If he killed someone and went to jail, who would take care of his siblings? I don't believe that my friend is that stupid. It was an accident.”

”What makes you so sure? According to what I've gathered, you two have only been friends for a little over two years? Are you really close to him?”

Jin Goo frowned. He controlled his facial expression but it could still not hide the disdain in his eyes as he stared at the prosecutor who questioned their closeness. ”So what if I've only known him for two years? That much is enough to know him well.”

”Were you aware of the abuse going on in his family?”

”Yes. But I didn't know how bad it was. Hyuk never really liked accepting people's help so In Guk and I could only watch by the sidelines.”

Unable to gouge anything from Hyuk's loyal friend, the questioning was passed to the defence attorney.

”Mr. Heo Jin Goo, did you know about what happened between the Lees?”

”Not until Hyuk told me when they stayed over at my house. Hyuk was angry, yes, but he only thought about keeping his siblings safe rather than going back to kill that man.”

”I see. This proves that the defendant did not have any motives to kill the victim aside from self-defence!” The attorney concluded.

”Objection! I'd like to summon the defendant himself to the stands for questioning!”

Jin Goo went back to his seat, then Hyuk took his place.