Ex-Convict Attack

Chapter 7

Prosecutors don't only bring in witnesses to the crime that San is accused of. The man in the red heart robe brings evidence that he is somehow related to San.

A baseball bat, a kitchen knife with the victim's blood on it, and San's fingerprints. His background was opened up to his uncle's family upbringing.

"From the testimony of residents, Santiago often gets bad treatment from his uncle. He often sleeps outside the house because his uncle doesn't answer the door after Santiago works part-time."

"Even on the campus where  Santiago studied, he is known as a private person," added the Prosecutor. "Your Honor, this pattern often occurs in perpetrators of violence. The absence of supervision from parents or guardians, living as an orphan, and being mistreated by relatives—could be a trigger for the defendant's crimes."

Among the reporters watching the trial, one lawyer seemed to notice what was happening. Vera seemed to jot down something in her notebook.

"The prosecutor is very cunning," commented Nila, Vera's friend who is also a attorney. "He uncovered the background and made that a suspect's weakness."

"Such stories will interest the public even more," Vera replied.

"Isn't there a chance for him to win?" Nila's gaze fixed on Santiago. "He didn't even hire a attorney."

Vera didn't respond and chose to focus on her notes.

"Well, of course. His opponent is the candidate for mayor, Anthony. Even without elections, that person will win."

"Be careful what you say. There are a lot of journalists here." Vera reminded.

"Ah, yeah ... by the way, Vera, are you sure the child is guilty?" She hissed for a moment. "His looks don't match, and he's more suitable to be a soap opera player with the role of a good boy." Nila giggled at the end of her words.

"Death penalty or life imprisonment."

Nila blinked, confused. "It means?"

"That's the maximum demand. Crimes are committed at the same time on the same victim. It is also clear from the Prosecutor's statement that these were all premeditated crimes."

"Ah, I don't know whether to feel sorry or to be satisfied." The short-haired girl shook her head. "He's still young, but there's a chance he'll spend the rest of his life in prison."

Vera looked at Santiago, who guards were now escorting because the first trial was over.

When he left the courtroom, San ran into a close friend of the victim. "So your name is Karin?" He only found out when the girl testified.

The surprised Karin looked confused and glanced at the police officer in front of her.

"I understand that you are shocked that your friend died, but is it that easy for you to conclude that I killed him?" San asked the officers to give him some time to talk to Karin. Then he looked back at the girl. "I've never touched your friend. Trust me, Rin!"

San only hoped that the girl could believe his words a little. "You know that when I asked for your friend's address, I didn't even know him."

"It's enough! Don't make a fuss!" scolded one of the officers while pulling San's arm away from the girl.

"Wait, sir, just a moment." San pleaded with teary eyes. "Gio and his friends are trying to jerk off with your friends, not me!"

Karin still didn't know how to react. Several reporters started coming towards them. Instantly Karin flinched when San suddenly grabbed her hand and held it for a moment.

"Not me, Rin." San couldn't continue his words because the officer had already pulled him over.

Reporters are getting crowded and flocking to attack him. That's why he was immediately arrested.

 

***

"Excuse me, sir. May I go to the toilet first?" Santiago said to the police officer who was escorting him. They were heading to the parking lot, and the journalists had been taken care of. "I'm dying, sir. Since the courtroom earlier, "he continued with a pitiful look.

The two officers finally gave permission. Then, they turned down the hall to the restroom.

Just as we were about to reach the men's restroom, someone came out of the women's restroom.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Vera," the officer misunderstood the woman, who was greeted with the same hospitality. "You also witnessed the trial? Wow, it's been a long time since I've seen this young attorney."

San didn't pay too much attention to their conversation and just stared at the floor with a confused look. His face looked tired, clearly visible in the dark circles under his eyes.

After that brief conversation, San was allowed in. At the same time, Vera left them after saying goodbye.

***

San, already in the toilet, was now looking at the mirror in front of him. The sink faucet was left on just like that.

"Life imprisonment? Death penalty?" He remembered the end of the Prosecutor's words. It looks like it's not just a verdict that only the victim's family wants, but the public as well.

San didn't know that it would end like this.

***

They are in a karaoke bar. After the trial, Gio made an appointment with them. Marvel and Bima—a friend of Gio's gang—then Devan and Karin, their junior.

Gio then threw four yellow envelopes on the table. "That's the reward. Could you make the most of it? Remember, this is not a bribe. I'm just grateful to you for having the courage to testify at trial and defend my poor sister."

Marvel and Bima looked excited, but their enthusiasm stopped when they got a look from Gio. Unlike the other two people, who were silent and stared at the money envelope.

"San… is he the culprit?" Karin opened her voice for the first time since coming to this place. His expression looked doubtful.

"Why? Are you starting to doubt?" Gio laughed again. "Too late, girl! What are you doing anyway? It's obvious that San is the culprit." His words just got nods of approval from Marvel and Bima.

Initially, Karin was quite sure that San was the culprit. That was because he had asked her for Molly's address. After San's arrival, Gio and some friends came to chat with him.

Of course, this made Karin confused. This was the first time he had been visited by the most popular senior on campus. At that time, he also discovered that Molly was Gio's cousin.

Molly is a quiet girl, who doesn't talk much about her personal life. Karin knows that Molly's parents often go out of town because of work demands, and her friend is always at home alone.

San's arrival to meet the girl at her house was immediately quite strange for Karin, but she never thought her close friend would end up tragically like this.

Karin is angry, and the only one who deserves to be blamed is the young man, San. However, when they accidentally bump into each other outside the courtroom, for some reason, San's desperate looks and words bother him.