All language subtitles for Where the Truth Lies (2009)-English

[This film is based on a true event that took place at a burger shop in Itaewon near the US Army base.]

[Characters, story structure, and details of the real event are fictionalized for dramatic effect.]

[Itaewon, Spring 1997]

[WHERE THE TRUTH LIES]

Timing and Subtitles by iFlixAsia

Good morning, sir.

Morning. Have you secured the witnesses?

No, not yet.

There must have been plenty of customers at ten o'clock at night.

We're continuing the investigation.

What's the background of the victim?

Jo Joong Pil was a senior on leave from Dongik University.

He came here with his girlfriend and was attacked in the restroom.

What's the time of death?

Last night at 10:30 inside the ambulance.

Which way, please?

Professor, you got here before me.

Prosecutor Park, did you bring me in to inspect the cleanliness?

What happened?

They are saying they were called in the middle of the night. The business had to open.

They took all the photos, right?

They photographed for at least thirty minutes.

Someone's playing around.

A murder in a tiny little space.

There's nothing here.

Indeed. A very good cleaning job.

Where was the body?

It was leaning on the corner

To the left of the urinal.

Where were the blood stains?

The side of this sink was covered, and the wall too.

Also, there were spray-like stains on the upper right wall of the urinal.

- Over here?
- Yes.

What's this?

Looks like they didn't get everything.

Three on the right side, four on the left side of the neck, and two on the chest.

Total of nine stab wounds.

He was just twenty-three years old.

Who the fuck would do this right in the middle of Itaewon?

The victim was the youngest and the only son for three generations.

The family lived a modest life. His father is a bus driver.

Should have pampered him more, if I only knew!

He never got to enjoy life, he worked so hard to pay for school!

- My poor son.
- Stop it! It won't bring him back!

Prosecutor, the girlfriend who was at the scene is here.

- Where?
- Over here.

We studied at the library together and had some draft beer afterward...

So...

Go on. Call me, okay?

- Wait!
- Hey!

This is nice.

Yes, it is.

Where should we go?

Somewhere fun?

But it's kind of late.

- Why don't we stay together tonight?
- Joong...

Joong Pil...

Joong Pil!

Can you remember anything else? Tell us even the smallest details.

You may have missed something, please think carefully.

Anything you feel was out of the ordinary.

For instance, someone following when the victim walked you home.

Or... staring at you without a reason.

Who do you mean?

That's what we want to know.

Think...

Did anyone follow you?

Of course not!

Dad, Dad, that is wrong!

Did the sun rise from the west? Why would the US army do this?

They would take our suspects to do their own investigation.

Why are they handing him over so easily?

I wonder if there is some ulterior motive.

How old is he?

Eighteen. A student at an American high school.

He doesn't look very American for a US citizen.

Mexican-born dad works for the military and mom's a Korean.

Does he speak Korean?

No, he doesn't. It was hard during the investigation.

We couldn't communicate... He blabbered on in English.

I thought I was going to die from the frustration.

Is he putting on a show?

You can speak Korean, can't you?

Korean speak...

You learned it from your mom.

This asshole can act.

You son of a whore!

It's a pleasure. You can call me Nancy.

By the administrative agreement between the two nations,

the investigators must comply with several articles during the investigation of Robert J. Pearson.

If the suspect requests the presence of American officials, his family members,

or involvement of America, the investigators must comply.

Any incriminating statements from the suspect are inadmissible when taken without an American representative present.

Further, he must not be handcuffed while wearing civilian attire...

Were you at the Itaewon burger shop on the night of April eighth?

You were in the restroom of the hamburger restaurant in Itaewon on the eighth of April around ten o'clock at night, right?

Why did you kill him?

There must've been a reason for killing someone.

How do you know the victim? Translate.

How do you know him?

It was the first time I saw him.

He saw him for the first time.

Did they get into an altercation?

So, you got in a fight?

But why did you follow him into the restroom?

I had to take a piss.

You went to take a piss and killed a man?

What exactly did you do in the restroom?

I just saw it.

Saw what?

The Korean guy getting stabbed.

What the hell is he saying?

Police inspection!

Tell me who else was there in the restroom.

One Korean... and A.J.

The Korean is dead but we're searching for that guy named, A.J., so he'll be here soon.

We'll find out if you are telling the truth or not. You still didn't do it?

Why can't you answer me?

Whatever. I didn't Kill him.

This knife, clothes, and shoes. They're all yours, aren't they?

Look at the blood.

Are you still going to insist you didn't do it?

Isn't that why you hid them in the locker?!

Hello? Ah, Yes.

Prosecutor, it's detective Jo from Yongsan station.

Hello?

Who's Alex Jung?

A.J.!

You found A.J.

I make frequent business trips to the States,

so I couldn't pay much attention to him.

I had no idea he hung around with those low-life thugs.

Imagine how traumatic it was for him to witness such a gruesome scene.

He doesn't look like it, but he's still a child.

Deep inside, he's naive and tender.

All right. It won't take long.

Yes.

Answer carefully, Alex.

Concisely, got it?

Shall we begin?

Your name is Alex Turner Jung...

Right?

Call me Alex.

How old are you?

Seventeen.

Can't you speak Korean?

Seventeen.

He's eighteen in Korean age.

Where is your permanent residence?

Bonjeok? What does that mean?

It's New York, he's been here for less than three months.

Can you stay out of this? Answer the questions yourself, Alex.

Get to the important questions, I'll tell you everything.

What's important?

What went down inside the restroom that day.

I saw that Korean man dying in there.

Hey A.J., You wanna get a burger?

Yeah! I'm fucking starving, man.

[09:57]

Check it out.

Dude, it's like the ones you see in the movies.

Man, that's tight. Too good to cut hamburgers with, though.

Where did you get it?

From the Itaewon market.

Ah, shit.

Are you okay?

Damn, he just fucking touched it and he's bleeding.

It's the shit.

I've stabbed someone before.

Julio?

Did he die?

I didn't check.

Woah, Woah, Woah. Someone died?

No, we were just talking about some movie.

Cut the act, is that all you can talk about when Michael is hurt?

- Are you okay?
- Dude, I'm fine.

Yo, let's just go for a smoke.

Let's stay a bit longer.

No, I'll be late.

I think I drank too much beer. I'm gonna use the bathroom. Come, hurry.

Hey, you.

You're shitting me, huh?

It would be fucking funny if it happens here, huh?

What the fuck are you saying?

I will show you something cool, come with me.

Shit. What the fuck is this?

Why did you do it?

Did you really want to mimic a movie?

Still won't budge, huh?

Bring him in.

Hey, how do you feel?

Alex.

Yeah?

Is it the first time seeing him after the incident?

Yeah.

How long have you known each other?

I met him after I got to Korea. So...

Hey, how long has it been?

Maybe about three months.

That long.

Did you hear... About three months?

On the night of April eighth, were you two in the burger shop restroom?

Who killed the Korean student?

Pearson did it.

I didn't.

What the fuck are you saying? You fucking killed him.

- I didn't kill him.
- Fuck you!

You said it, you mother fucker. Don't fucking lie.

No, I didn't kill him.

This motherfucker killed him. He did it!

Pearson says Alex did it?

Damn... He's a touch nut.

Have you secured Pearson's confession?

If you look at the CID investigation report,

it says he told everything to 'Michael' right after the incident.

Besides that, did he confess at the police station?

CID already had the confession... so I didn't think...

What have you been doing all this time without a confession?

Isn't that the most crucial element in cases like this?

You confessed at CID that you did it, but now you're changing your story? Why?

I ain't no white trash.

Those investigators treated me like trash.

I didn't kill him.

I don't know what the hell was written there.

So you're saying Alex did it?

Then why did you hide the knife?

Because A.J. is my friend.

Oh! Shit!

Damn. He just fucking touched it and he's bleeding.

This is the shit, man.

Put that away, right now.

He got hurt because of you. What did you take out the fucking knife for?

Why? To hit on Shelley?

Man, give me the knife.

You don't even know how to fucking use it.

- Have you ever stabbed someone?
- Wha... What?

Have you ever killed someone?

Woah, Woah, Woah. Somebody killed somebody?

No. We were just talking about some movie.

Stop acting stupid. Is that all you can talk about when Michael is hurt?

Dude, I'm fine. Yo, let's just go out for a smoke.

Fuck you.

Go, stab anybody.

You don't have the guts to do that.

Shit, A.J. Are you high?

I'll show you something cool. Come with me.

A.J.!

Why? Things not going well?

He's insisting that he's not the one but someone else.

Do you want some help?

I'll give you a witness statement.

I'm not in the mood for banter.

Aside from Alex and Pearson, there aren't any witnesses.

That's true for the living but,

Here's the autopsy report. There's no better witness than the dead victim.

As is written, three wounds to the right neck, four to the left neck, two to the chest.

Total of nine stabs but no defense wounds.

Even a senior victim in his eighties gets defense wounds.

Which means the victim was completely defenseless.

Also, this initial stab wound on the right side is on a down thrust angle.

Therefore the attacker is taller and more powerful than the victim.

Are you telling me...

To overturn the US investigation results?

I didn't kill him!

You motherfucker! He fucking killed him.

Prosecutor Park, hold on a minute. What's going on?

You're arresting someone who's not even a suspect?

Alex is a witness, but also an important suspect.

What do you mean? The CID already handed over Pearson as the offender.

That's the CID's conclusion. We have to do our investigation since it's been given to us.

Prosecutor Park, I think you're gravely mistaken. Alex came forward on his own as a witness.

If that's the case, where has he been for the past three days without a word?

Okay, I'll ask him just that. Is that why you're implying Alex did it?

It's not Alex, you're mistaken about this.

If he's not the murderer, I'm sure he'll be set free eventually.

Has he been living under a rock? Why is he so empty-headed?

When you entered the restroom, what was the victim doing?

He was taking a piss.

I didn't do it. Pearson's lying to you.

I'll be the judge of that. Why don't you speak respectfully?

Understand?

I really didn't kill him...

Sir...

You said you punched the victim, but there's no bruise on his face. How do you explain that?

Yes. That's right.

I didn't hit him. Just... Just pushed him.

I was just washing my hands and lifted my head.

Then...

Then Pearson started stabbing him in the neck.

And what did you do?

I was scared. So...

I...

I kept looking at him through the mirror like this.

Kept looking at him? Without doing anything?

I've told you. You know. I was so scared.

You did nothing but kept looking at Pearson while he was stabbing him with a knife?

- That's right.
- Okay, fine, fine.

What did you see next?

Next?

I can't remember well.

The blood splashed all over.

And A.J. stabbed him in the neck.

How many times?

Right neck three times.

And here... about four times.

And twice in the heart.

After the blood sprayed like a fountain, the victim turned and swung his arms about, did you see it?

I saw it. Saw it.

He turned around and swung his arms like this at Pearson.

Okay. What next?

Next...?

What do you say?

If you beat the shit out of him, he'll tell you the whole truth.

Have you heard of dissociative disorder?

For many murderers, after seeing the blood of their victim,

A natural psychological effect is to forget what happened immediately after the criminal act.

The possibility of such occurrence is greater under the influence of a substance.

The drug tests came out negative for both of them?

Yes. But that's the weird part.

According to the CID report, Pearson is said to have taken drugs that day.

Have you thought about Alex's past drug history at all?

You talk CID constantly. Are you in charge of CID investigations?

I'm sorry.

Do it right then!

That son of a bitch! He's a fraud in a prosecutor's suit.

You are right. That insolent jerk.

But please be patient.

Be patient? How could I?

My Alex is being treated as a murder suspect!

It could be hard once the prosecutor has a prejudiced opinion.

We need something to blow that up.

How about a lie detector?

The result is inadmissible in court, but it could have a positive effect on the prosecutor.

It would prove Pearson was lying immediately.

Let's do it!

Okay, I'll arrange it.

Are you the one who killed

Jo Joong Pil in the restroom?

No.

Are you the one who stabbed Jo Joong Pil

in the neck and chest in the restroom?

No.

Are you the one who stabbed Jo Joong Pil with a knife in the restroom?

No.

Did you stab Jo Joong-Pil in the neck and chest with a knife in the restroom?

No.

Prosecutor Park, I heard that you asked Pearson in English and Alex in Korean.

- Is it wrong to ask a Korean in his native tongue?
- Wait.

Alex only looks Korean, but he's American in action and word.

You know that already.

Prosecutor... I really don't get this.

The CID handed you evidence that points to Pearson as the suspect.

This is Korea, not America.

Only Korean prosecutors have the right to conduct the official investigation here.

How about you let me buy you a drink? I'm sure there's a lot to discuss.

Hey! I've had it with you!

Being a prosecutor doesn't mean jackshit!

- Here!
- David!
- Here!

- Jake!
- When do we get out of this place?

- He asks how long it will take?
- Tell him it'll be over soon.

- She says it'll be finished soon.
- Michael!

Michael.

Michael Osborne.

How could he have handled it? I don't know.

Michael Osborne.

Why isn't that Michael Osborne coming?

His statement was decisive in pointing to Pearson as the suspect.

Michael Osborne is an American citizen, and you need to know that.

He's been having a hard time since the incident.

The victim's family is having the hardest time.

How hard is it to come by and say a few words?

Michael is also subject to the Armed Forces Agreement...

Forget it! Tell him to forget it!

Brother, don't let go!

I won't. But if you keep on saying it, I'll let it go!

Yes, this is the Park household.

Yeah, it's me.

Michael Osborne. On the night of the murder, were you with Pearson?

Yes.

According to the CID report,

you said Pearson told you he was responsible for the murder. Correct?

I don't know.

What do you mean you don't know?

I don't know.

Then why did you make such a statement?

We-Well...

I-I asked Pearson where the blood came from.

He told me some Korean came and pushed him.

I don't know. Maybe I heard it wrong.

Then...

is it true that you heard someone say, "I'll show you something cool. Follow me."?

Yes.

Who said it?

Michael, listen carefully.

One of your friends killed an innocent man and is lying about it.

I know you're distressed because they're your friends...

but murder is an unforgivable crime.

Please...

Who's lying?

- Are you saying the US investigators accused the wrong person?
- Yes.

The autopsy report, witness testimonies, and circumstantial evidence do not incriminate Pearson.

So Pearson is unjustly being framed...

This could get nasty.

I hear Alex's family is not ordinary.

If we mind such a thing, we wouldn't be able to work

Don't overdo it. Clean it up and hand it over to the court office.

Is there anything else?

Please let me see this through to the end.

There will be plenty more chances.

Prosecutor Park!

Are you sure you are up for it?

[Seoul District Court Precinct 22, Case 97-386 Alex Turner Jung is charged with homicide, Robert J. Pearson is charged with possession of a lethal weapon and withholding evidence.]

We will now begin the trial of case 97-386.

Please send in the defendants.

Quiet! Be quiet, please!

Prosecutor's opening statement, please.

On April 8th, 1997 at 10 PM, the defendant Alex Turner Jung

while dining at an Itaewon burger shop,

with friend Robert J. Pearson and four others, stated that he would show something in the restroom

and stabbed the victim Jo Joong Pil nine times,

who was using the urinal at the time...

Bring my son back to life! He has done nothing wrong!

Be quiet, please!

My boy is not a killer!

Silence, please!

We can't continue the hearing in this manner.

I will clear the court if the trial is disrupted again.

Please submit the prosecutor's statement as a document.

Is it true that you and Pearson were close?

Yes.

What kind of friend was Pearson?

He was a dangerous bastard.

In what way?

Always carrying a knife... and wanted to use it for something.

Objection, your Honor.

The defendant is speculating. Please remove the statement from the record.

Sustained. Please remove the last phrase.

Please continue.

What did you two talk about that night?

Pearson said...

Ah... How can I say it?

I mean... he was punching someone off the street...

- Random violence?
- Yeah, random violence!

He said he wanted to do it but never tried it before.

What was the reason?

Because he always chickened out at the last minute.

But he said it would be a lot of fun to do it then.

Was this testimony previously stated?

No, your Honor.

Back then, that ahjussi was harassing me so I couldn't remember.

Why does the trial focus on Pearson?

Isn't this about convicting Alex?

I don't understand what's going on.

The defense is trying to put the focus on Pearson

because they can't prove it wasn't Alex.

Better for them to drag down Pearson.

He's not even a human being...

This is the nature of a trial.

Don't worry too much.

Please do your best to get justice for my son.

I beg of you.

Pass. Pass the ball.

Aren't you overplaying the solo act?

And that case yesterday, why didn't you charge them both? What if you can't establish Alex's charges?

Shouldn't you charge Pearson as well, no?

You can establish them as co-conspirators.

How can I accuse an innocent when it is clear only one committed the crime?

How is such a despicable act possible? You sure you're a prosecutor?

Is it true that the witness was present

at the Itaewon burger shop at 10 PM on April 8th?

Yes.

Why were you there?

I was hanging out in Sky High, up on the fourth floor.

I got damn hungry, so I went down for a burger.

Were Alex and Pearson sitting over there present as well?

Yes.

Where were you sitting that night?

I was sitting right next to the bathroom. And then...

So you were sitting beside Alex opposite Pearson, correct?

I think so.

Have you seen this knife before?

Yeah. Pearson took it out to cut a burger.

Who was the last person to have the knife between those two?

Well.

A.J. did put the knife in his pocket.

But I don't know if he was the last one to have it.

Haven't you testified at the prosecutor's office that Alex was the one?

That time, I did.

We were all going out for a smoke,

so I really don't know what Alex did after that.

All right.

Did you hear someone telling the other to follow because he wanted to show him something?

Yes.

Could you repeat that phrase?

I will show you something cool. Come with me.

Who was the one to say that?

Prosecutor Park!

Keep your manners even during trial.

You've done well, sir.

Just doing my job.

Thanks. You made the right choice for a friend.

- Shall we? I know a nice place.
- Ah, yes. Let's go.

Is something wrong?

Jake changed his statement. Bring me his interview record.

Which one?

The CID, police, ours, everything we got.

Have we got the original statement of these?

No, we don't. We didn't think it would be necessary.

Who translated these?

The NCO who was stationed here.

Why would he do that?

He majored in English and scored over 540 on the TOEFL test.

He was the best English speaker in our office.

Bring him in.

He was discharged...

about ten days ago.

- Deputy chief!
- Yes.

Then bring in the translator from the prosecutor's office.

He's not around. He went abroad to study language.

Is anyone trying... to win this case?

When did you leave the burger shop that night?

Once the guys were taking turns with the knife, I thought it was cheesy, so I left first.

I came out and they were smoking.

That's when Sally, Michael, and Jake were going out for a smoke?

Yeah.

Did you stay with them the whole time?

No.

Sally and Michael went to Sky High first. And then Jake.

And you also went up to Sky High shortly after that?

Yes.

Are you certain Alex came out of the restroom first?

What?

No, you couldn't have seen that.

What you saw wasn't Alex coming out of the restroom,

or the emergency exit, but him coming up the stairs.

According to the witness's testimony, he said he saw Alex coming up the stairs when he was on his way to Sky High.

But when I examined the location myself, I could not see the exit

while climbing up the stairs and looking down.

To be precise, what the witness saw was two people climbing up the stairs.

Is what I'm stating true or not?

- Even so, isn't it true Alex went up first, followed by Pearson?
- Yes.

Because he climbed the stairs first, he got out of the restroom first.

I've never heard of such nonsense. Twisted logic, don't you think?

It's been testified that they didn't bump into each other after they came out of the restroom.

So isn't it logical that they walked up the stairs in that order?

As you know the burger shop has a door to the main road.

Are you implying that Pearson, who was covered in blood,

came out of the restroom first,

walked through the crowd at the shop, out the door, then headed up the stairs

after waiting for Alex to go up the stairs first. Is that right?

A question to the witness.

Is it true that, immediately after the incident, you saw

the bloodstain on Alex's clothes as if it was sprayed on,

and Robert J. Pearson was covered in blood on his face and body. Is that right?

Yeah.

Is it good?

This is all my fault.

Whether you cause problems or not, I should've left you in the States.

Are they treating you okay?

The food is terrible and I can't stand the dirty cell.

Please let me out as soon as possible. I'm going crazy in here.

It's driving me mad too.

But until the verdict... there is no option.

Jake spoke very well.

I don't want to see him anymore. He makes me sick.

Crazy jerk...

The evidence against you is stacked.

Your friends' testimonies don't help much.

I should have really shown them...

What did you say?

What?

No... Nothing.

[Fourth hearing, June 20, 1997]

If what you're saying is true, the right scar is the first point of contact.

That's correct.

How does the blood come out when this area is punctured?

Blood out of the carotid artery would be like a fountain.

How would it look if it got on clothes?

It would look like it's been sprayed on.

Is it possible that Alex could get a sprayed bloodstain on his shirt

While he was washing his hands on the sink, as he suggested?

Even with Pearson blocking him in the front?

The blood doesn't pour out like water even if sprayed...

and if there was someone in front...

So you don't think it would be possible.

No, I don't believe so.

Is it true that you're an adjunct professor at a medical university?

Yes.

What is your specialty?

Forensic medicine.

Between Alex and Pearson from the point of view of forensic medicine,

who do you think stabbed the victim?

Objection!

Please continue.

It's... hard to say...

but assuming that one of them did it,

and that the initial assault was to the right of the neck,

it would be the one who received the spray of blood...

Nonsense!

Be quiet!

You'll be ordered to leave the court if this happens again.

Could you clearly state the name of the person you predict is the killer?

But you don't have to if it's too burdensome.

That is all.

These are photographs taken immediately after the incident.

As you can see, there are blood stains on the corner of the sink.

Pearson testified that he witnessed the incident from the sink corner but pushed the victim away when he came close to him.

Then how is the blood stain possible on that corner?

Well... It'd be possible if the victim fell on Pearson as he was

spraying blood, and Pearson pushed him away.

Quite an imagination you got there.

Do you really think it's possible?

Pearson said he pushed the victim away.

If what you're saying is true, the victim who fell by the urinal got up,

left a stain on the sink, and fell over again...

does this seem logically possible?

After having been stabbed nine times!

I can't say firmly since I didn't see it.

I request the deletion of the witness's previous statement.

How did it go today?

Professor Lee's testimony is always straight forward.

That's great to hear.

You never know until the trial's over.

So... Aren't you heading home?

You go on ahead.

Sir, we're off then.

[I heard: "I'll show you something cool. Come with me"]

They all fell off!

Get out of the way!

Let me try! Why do you only play with it?

- Come here!
- Give it to me! I want to play too!

- it's not cold, it's refreshing.

It's cold. Why don't you...

I think it would be refreshing.

- Stop it!
- Come here!

- Please let me, brother!
- Ji Oh and Ji Seon, come here.

Daddy, Ji Oh won't let me play with it.

Is that so? Give me the water gun.

Stand over here, Ji.Seon.

- Daddy, what are you doing?
- Here?

No. Ji Seon, please stand here and face me.

- And you stand behind me, Ji Oh.
- Why?

- Stay close.
- Okay.

Dad! What are you doing?!

- Did it spray on you?
- No.

Go again, Ji Oh.

Again? Dad, don't do it.

Ouch.

Dad, what's with you today?

Ji Oh, is there a water gun that sprays water rather than shoot?

There's no such a water gun.

Never mind.

What am I doing?

Sorry, Ji Seon.

You're going to get it, dad!

Ji Oh!

[Fifth hearing, July 7, 1997]

Didn't you say the victim fell on you, so you pushed him away?

Yes.

Which part of the body did you push?

Maybe around here.

Your Honor,

Please recall investigation report 59 and appendix #2, which states that

most amounts of blood get poured on the nearest person when the artery is severed.

Please refer to Investigation report point 126 for that.

- Was that submitted?
- Yes.

According to the first witness at the scene, the victim's pants were slightly lowered when he was found.

Normally when men urinate, they lower their pants and squat a little.

That would reduce the height by around 10 cm.

In that case, a person smaller than the victim can stab and leave the same scar.

Objection!

He's attempting to pass off an interpretation without evidence as a fact.

I'm stating general knowledge.

Men generally hang their heads like this when using a urinal.

You look like you're meditating... Recall that the victim's pants were down.

I'm talking about ones who drop their pants and urinate.

Even so, they would urinate with their legs apart like this.

It's common sense to bend the legs like this
to prevent the pants from falling.

Do you bend your legs like that when you urinate?

Why would I? Prosecutor Park! Is that the respect you show to your senior?

Why does seniority come up in court? Are you on a picnic?

Quiet! We'll adjourn for today.

They should repair the air conditioner soon.

I'm sorry, sir.

These things happen.

But...

That bastard is quite something.

Pardon?

Didn't Alex laugh earlier?

Or... was it Pearson?

Did they?

You didn't hear it?

It was a bit chaotic then...

But I thought they behaved themselves today.

Is that so?

I can't proceed with this tria if you two act like this.

I'm having enough problems with other cases as is.

Please understand my position as well.

Of course we do, your honor.

But I don't urinate like that.

I would like to conduct a crime scene inspection.

Yes, sure.

Will you comply?

Pardon?

Crime scene inspection.

Yes, let's do it.

[Crime scene inspection, July 22, 1997]

It's Alex. Alex!

- How do you feel now?
- Why at a burger shop?

- Pearson!
- A few words, please?

Be calm, stay calm, all right?

Just do what you saw. We all know you're innocent!

We all know!

- You're worse than a cockroach!
- What?!

You should be atoning for what you did!

The whole world knows you're innocent!

Over here, please! What are you looking for?

Stand where you were.

I just came here to wash my hands.

Don't turn it on, just pretend you are washing.

Yes,

I raise my head while washing my hands, Pearson was...

Please send Pearson in.

[Pearson]

Now, go attack the victim.

I can't get by him even if I wanted to.

Sir, it's Pearson's turn.

Is that right?

Let's go in.

I followed A.J. into the restroom.

Then I went to the edge of the sink.

And looked over at him.

But suddenly, he started to stab the Korean.

How many times?

He stabbed him in the neck.

Three times on the right, four times on the left.

And then, twice in the heart.

Alex, go stab the victim.

Alex

No, not there.

In the back of the neck.

And you're holding it wrong.

Can you reenact what you saw?

A.J. was stabbing him and the Korean guy fell on me.

No, not this way, but you pushed him like this.

What's this?

Are you kidding me?

What is this?

Good thing I decided to do a crime-scene inspection.

The next hearing will be on September 8th.

Is that Pearson's lawyer, or what?

Here, one more shot.

I drank a lot, already.

Drink!

We never got to drink properly together.

Who do you think is the killer?

Why are you asking the obvious?

It's Alex, of course.

Truthfully?

Yes.

Fuck off.

You've always thought Pearson was the one.

Isn't that why you went on about the CID to me? No?

Forget that I'm a prosecutor. I'm asking as a fellow man.

Which one?

Sir, you really are tenacious.

I'm really sorry. Isn't that what you want to hear?

At first, I thought it was Pearson.

But after seeing him at the crime scene, I know you were right.

That fat guy got high on drugs and stabbed him.

But the drug test came out negative.

That's because we don't have the equipment to detect it properly.

What about Pearson's confession during the US investigation?

They don't give a shit about a son of Mexican blood and a Korean whore.

They only saw it as a chance to get rid of a guy they didn't care about.

Is it really Alex?

What's with you?

Are you sure it's Alex?

Sir...

If you're not sure, just pick one.

It's a fifty-fifty chance, anyway.

What did you say, you motherfucker?

That asshole. What does he take me for...

Son of a bitch.

Excuse me. Could we stop at a toilet?

I will show you something cool.

It's you, isn't it, Alex?

Pearson, is it you?

Freeze!

Freeze!

What are you doing? Stop! Don't do it! Stop it!

Stop!

Can't you hear me?

A man is dying in there!

You motherfuckers, what the hell are you doing?

Open it now, assholes!

Open it!

Honey!

Hi.

Alex is the killer.

You're not the killer...

but you have too many flaws.

Presently, he has a four dot tattoo.

But when we were investigating him in CID, it was the three-dot tattoo.

The three-dot tattoo on the left hand is a gang marking

that means "My Crazy Life."

Based on what I've already told you, the CID was positive

He is a member of a Hispanic gang known as Norte-14.

The Korean prosecutor's office completely ignored the CID's assessment,

What do you think is the reason?

I don't know.

The prosecutor's office is stating that because CID is not the official

investigating party, they cannot accept the CID's findings.

If I may, could I ask you to briefly state what kind of an investigative body the CID is?

CID is an official federal organization of investigation with the same authority as the FBI.

I've been an investigator with CID for fifteen years

and I specialize in gang and juvenile crime.

That is all.

A.J. and Pearson's friends went down to the hamburger restaurant.

After a while, A.J. came to our table.

And his clothes were bloody.

What is this?

What the fuck did you do?

We did it. We just stabbed somebody in the neck.

Motherfucker, you killed him! For what?

Could the witness repeat one more time?

When Alex first came up, why did he say he committed murder?

He said he did it for fun.

How could someone kill for fun?

Killing motive was for fun!

The world is in disarray.

Do you know what's needed the most?

It's standard. Only then, law and justice will prevail.

Stay alert and end this right.

Killed a person for fun?

[October 6, 1997]

We've now concluded the six levels of examination.

Lastly, I want to ask two questions as a man, not a judge.

As such, I want both defendants to answer as honestly as possible.

As two human beings.

Between the two of you, one of you is the killer, is that correct?

Yes.

Yes.

I'll ask Alex Turner Jung first.

Who murdered Jo Joong Pil?

It's Pearson standing beside me.

I'll ask Robert J. Pearson.

Who murdered Jo Joong Pil?

It's Alex. The person next to me.

Prosecution, request the sentence.

One young Korean man was killed.

Someone who lived in poverty but kept up with his studies by working part-time.

A family's hope and pride were killed in cold blood without reason.

The defendant Alex Turner Jung may be an immature eighteen-year-old,

but for the simple reason of enjoyment, he frivolously stabbed a human being with a knife.

Throughout the trial, rather than repenting for his crime, he worked hard to blame his friend

and mocked the Korean judicial system by using his US citizenship as a shield.

We have no obligation to tolerate such behavior or be lenient.

Prosecution requests the maximum allowed sentence of the death penalty.

I... I didn't do it!

[October 13, 1997]

Everyone, Please stand.

Please bring in the defendants.

Considering the brutal and viciously dangerous nature of the crime,

and the way defendants showed total disregard for any remorse for the crime,

having shown no atonement for the victim's family or compensation for their loss,

I hereby sentence Alex Turner Jung to life imprisonment for murder,

and Robert J. Pearson to a minimum of 1 year, maximum of 1.5 years in prison

for possession of lethal weapon and withholding evidence.

This trial is bullshit!

- It's not me!
- Son!

It's not me!

What the fuck are you saying? You motherfucker!

I didn't do it! I'll kill you all!

Why did you do it?

Alex! Don't worry, okay?

We'll get you out! Alex!

Don't worry. We'll get you out!

There's no need to thank me.

Wait a minute...

Just tell me one thing before you go.

It's Alex, right?

Please allow Joong Pil to rest peacefully for eternity...

We've examined the trial records.

This is not a fight that one can win over the other.

But we won't let you lose either.

[April 30, 1998]

As noted in the original verdict, the defendant and Pearson entered

the compact restroom and one of them stabbed the victim in a split second,

but both parties held each other accountable for the murder while claiming one's own innocence.

It is essential to look into the authenticity and reliability of their testimonies to ascertain which of them is right.

And considering the inadequate investigation before the crime-scene inspection,

the defendant's appeal should not be disregarded.

It is difficult to prove that the crime was committed by the defendant alone.

Something's wrong.

What? What do you mean?

Also, the forensic testimony is deemed standard opinion and the evidence of urinating posture is circumstantial.

Further, there is no record of the defendant under substance influence.

Therefore, the original verdict will be overturned and the case will be sent to the Seoul Supreme Court.

Dad! Dad!

Alex! We did it! We did it!

- Congratulations Mr. Jung!
- Thank you! Thank you so much!

Alex! The angels are on our side!

What do you mean Alex is not guilty?

What's going to happen now?

Please leave this to Prosecutor Park and go back home.

He says he'll collect evidence and submit them again.

What's the point when Supreme Court found him not guilty?

Isn't that final?

Can't you indict Pearson at this point?

If one of them is proven not guilty, isn't the other guilty?

Even they said so,

that's not possible. Pearson has already received his sentence.

Even if we indict Pearson at this time,

he could be proven not guilty like Alex.

This isn't right.

How is this fair?

Listen...

Prosecutor Park, can't you say anything?

Prosecutor?

If neither of them is guilty, then who killed my son? Huh?

- Who killed my poor son? My poor Joong Pil!
- Mom.

Joong Pill!

Joong Pil!

A Search warrant?

Yes.

I'm confident I'll find new evidence to prove Alex is guilty.

Are you out of your mind?

What exactly will you find at the defense lawyer's office?

They fabricated testimonies during the trial.

Even the files submitted to the Supreme Court are suspicious.

If we prove that... then I can win again.

The Court is not saying Alex is not the perpetrator,

but that the evidence isn't sufficient enough.

That's why I want to find the remaining evidence.

Look... No one will claim you did not investigate to the best of your abilities.

Let this one go.

There are plenty more criminals for you to go after, other than Alex.

Alex, it's been a while.

Wow. Beautiful office. Looks like you're doing well.

A little bit.

How have you been?

I got into the university, but studying is boring as shit.

Life is a process of enduring the boring stuff.

Hey, Na Young.

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

Would you like to come in for some tea?

No, we have a prior commitment.

Yes, right.

Dad's busy, so he wanted me to bring you this.

Oh... You shouldn't have.

We're off. Congrats!

Who is he?

He's a lawyer who helped me before.

For what?

Nevermind, you don't need to know.

Why? I'm curious.

Tell me, What happened?

It was hard work but fun.

Fun? What was so fun about it? Tell me.

Do you really want to know?

I will show you something cool. Come with me.

It's a hot story…

Wow! Really?

We drank a lot and felt damn hungry, so we headed to a burger shop.

Then Pearson suddenly pulled out a jack-knife!

A knife? Then?

I don't know. Can't remember it anymore.

What the…

🩸 Thank you to the moderators and subtitlers in other languages! 🩸

It must be hard for the children to transfer. It'd have been nice for you to stay in Seoul for a few more years.

I'm sorry to hear that you're moving to the region suddenly.

Deputy chief, how many prosecutors have you worked for?

About eight?

How do I rank among them?

The best, of course!

Sorry I asked.

Well, I gotta go.

I'm not much of a prosecutor...

but, at least I saved one, you.

I know.

I didn't kill him.

Isn't that your and my firm conviction?

Pearson,

you speak Korean.

I didn't learn from jail.

Timing and Subtitles by iFlixAsia

Official Movie Website: iFlixAsia.com

Miss... What happened in the restroom?

Something bad happened there, so they blocked it off.

[Alex was acquitted by the Supreme Court and released in September 1998.]

[Pearson was given a special pardon in 1998, two months before the end of his sentence. Before his travel ban could be renewed,]

[Pearson left for the USA in 1999. Both defendants are completely free of any legal responsibilities related to this case.]