The Mad Prosecutor Picked Up AI - Chapter 125



Only Krnovel

Episode 125: You Don’t Know Art

The results of the chemical analysis of the branches, the nest, and the dead bird we found came back the following week.

First, glue, bird feathers, bird skin tissue, and soft tissue were all found on the branches. A large amount of glue components were also detected at the base of the nest.

A situation that is sufficient to prove that the nest was removed from its original location and then replanted on a thinner branch.

The dead bird, which was covered in dirt, grass, and dry leaves, also had adhesive components detected. This also proves that both the bird and the tree were in the same location as the one photographed in the open air.

Based on the evidence we found, the investigation into the case progressed quickly, and Noh Cheon-seong, who was delighted to have won the grand prize at the photo exhibition, was arrested by the police a few days later.

Since all the evidence was clear, the police investigation was concluded quickly and the case was immediately sent to the prosecution. Naturally, the case was sent to our Supreme Court, which had reviewed the ‘Application for Objection to Decision of Non-Prosecution.’

As I was looking through No Cheon-seong’s sentencing documents, I suddenly raised my head. Manager Han Jae-sik’s seat was empty.

Where have you been since this morning, you rascal?

Wait. Isn’t that Manager Han Jae-sik outside the window?

Manager Han Jae-sik’s seat was facing a large window. The view outside the window wasn’t very good because it was just parked cars.

But outside that window, I saw someone walking like a zombie. It was a bit far, but that small, skinny figure with a somewhat resentful look on his face was definitely Manager Han Jae-sik.

“Chief. There’s a zombie walking around out there. Do you know anyone?”

“A zombie?”

Wi Jun-woo, who was looking out the window in surprise, nodded.

“That’s the zombie we know. It’s Manager Han.”

“What are you doing outside?”

“You are meditating.”

“Meditation?”

Wi Jun-woo answered my question while holding back laughter.

“He said he gets more worked up when he’s in the office. He said he does walking meditation or something.”

“What’s wrong with the office?”

“It’s not the office that’s the problem, it’s the inspector.”

I shook my head at the ridiculous talk. It’s not me that’s the problem, it’s Manager Han Jae-sik who can’t accept reality.

It’s time to cut the bullshit out of the way and get down to business.

“The suspect is being questioned today, right? What time is it?”

“I’ll be there soon. There’s about 30 minutes left.”

“This is the kind of guy who should be found guilty.”

“Do you think there is a possibility of imprisonment?”

I sighed at Wi Jun-woo’s question. Crimes against animals, not people, were given relatively light punishments.

“If you look at the case law so far, it’s a bit unlikely. If you kill multiple animals or kill them in a very cruel way, you’ll only get a prison sentence. In other cases, you’ll usually get a suspended sentence or a fine.”

“Does that make sense? A guy like this who put glue on a live bird is only fined?”

“Why are you doing this to me? That’s the law, that’s the precedent.”

Although I grumbled, I also felt uncomfortable. No matter how well I decorated the indictment and sent it, there are limits to the law, so it would be difficult to receive a heavy sentence. At best, a fine.

It’s annoying that this guy, who is always bullying his boss, is acting like an artist while being called a ‘teacher’. And he can’t even be properly judged by the law.

After a while, No Cheon-seong entered the office. Since he was not under arrest, he was wearing a neat suit instead of a prison uniform. He began to be questioned with a very confident look.

“Mr. Noh Cheon-seong, do you admit to brutally killing a live bird by applying glue to it?”

“No. Your Majesty, does this make sense? For an artist like me, yes?”

“It’s true that the bird died because of Mr. Noh Cheon-seong. Shall I show you the evidence photo again?”

As I spread out the photos on the desk, Noh Cheon-seong looked straight at my face without looking at the photos.

“Sir, I’m an artist. I’m a photographer. I’m not trying to kill animals. I’m just making art.”

“You applied the glue directly to the bird.”

“This is a non-toxic bond. It even got on my hands. Did I really think that I would die if I got some of this on my hands?”

“You didn’t know that?”

“Sir, I love nature and birds. You can tell by looking at the subject matter of my photos.”

No Cheon-seong emphasized that he was an artist and that the bird died in an unavoidable accident while performing his artistic activities.

When killing an animal rather than a person, the punishment is relatively light. This is especially true when killing an animal is not the primary purpose, as is the case now.

Judges also view cases more harshly when an animal is killed to vent one’s anger or simply for the pleasure of killing.

However, Noh Cheon-seong is now protesting that the bird died ‘due to an unavoidable accident’ while taking a photo, which is an ‘artistic act’. He emphasizes that it was a mistake and not intentional. Furthermore, he is also insisting that he loves birds and nature.

In this situation, there aren’t many judges who would sentence someone to prison. It would be fortunate if they were given a fine.

‘I guess you must have heard advice from a lawyer.’

[It is a citizen’s right to receive assistance from a lawyer.]

Oh, Aliota, you little brat! You always say the right thing at times like this.

‘Don’t you know that this is your natural right? Stop talking nonsense and try hacking into Nocheonseong’s cell phone. You might find some clues.’

[yes!]

But who am I? Aren’t I the incarnation of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s proud Hyun Torai and Guilty Bread?

I came up with another way to catch No Cheon-seong: the ‘obstruction of business crime’. The Wildlife Act provides for a maximum sentence of two years in prison, but obstruction of business crime can result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“Mr. Noh Cheon-seong, I heard you won the grand prize at the Daemyung Photo Exhibition with this new photo?”

“Yes. The world recognizes my artistic spirit. They say I am such a great artist.”

“Do you know that this is a charge of obstruction of business?”

“Obstruction of business?”

“Obstruction of business is punishable by up to five years in prison.”

“What business did I interrupt?”

No Cheon-seong asked with his eyes wide open.

“Shouldn’t a photo exhibition require the artist to take photos of nature as it is and submit them? But this ‘Birds’ Choir’ series is manipulated, isn’t it?”

“Manipulation? That’s harsh.”

“Moving the nest location, catching the bird and posing it with glue. Isn’t that manipulation?”

“What are you talking about? That’s not manipulation.”

Now that I look at it, this guy is completely shameless! I knew he was a bad guy who bullied people, but he really is a guy I can’t get along with!

I thought I had hit the nail on the head, but No Cheon-seong just laughed in disbelief.

“Is it because our prosecutor only studies law that he doesn’t know anything about art?”

“You say I don’t know art?”

No Cheon-seong put his arms on the desk and said.

“In all art, the message contained within is more important. Is this manipulation? Then why do we watch movies or dramas? They are all fake. They are all scripted.”

“There is a script.”

“In dramas, actors who are always complaining about being poor are actually wearing luxury goods. In movies, they play lovers who are hopeless, but in real life, each of these actors has a family and is a father and mother.”

No Cheon-seong spoke passionately, even spitting saliva.

“Even if you know all that, why do you still get immersed in the drama and watch it? Even if you know it’s fake and all set up, isn’t it because there’s a message in it?”

“So are you saying that it doesn’t matter if there is manipulation as long as there is a message?”

“Inspector. You’ve been saying this is manipulation since a while ago. What did I manipulate? Did I take a separate picture of a bird that wasn’t on the mountain and Photoshop it? Or is that bird a fake bird?”

“No, the bird is real.”

“What I’m saying is, if you just decide on the location of the birds and make them pose, how is that manipulation? If you’re going to be that picky, what about the photo models? The models also say, “Look here,” “Smile,” and “Sit down,” and they make them pose. So that’s also manipulation?”

Huh? Are human models and photos of birds taken in nature the same?

I was at a loss as to where to begin my argument. Not only was I completely blocked off, but I was also living in a house built around my own shit philosophy.

But this was another problem. In order for the crime of obstruction of business to be established, there must be the spread of false information, hierarchy, or power. In the case of No Cheon-seong, hierarchy is the most appropriate, but hierarchy simply means deceiving the other party.

In other words, if you deceive the other party and interfere with their business, you can be charged with obstruction of business. For example, a no-show after making a reservation or order is a typical example of obstruction of business due to hierarchy. This is because you deceived the owner by saying you would go to the store and interfered with their business.

In order to charge Noh Cheon-seong with obstruction of business, it would have to be proven that he ‘deceived the organizers’ with manipulated photos to win the award. The problem is that Noh Cheon-seong himself believes that ‘this is not manipulation. This is also true art!’

It’s not that he intentionally lied to interfere with work, but he said that he believed it, and that means that there is no ‘hierarchy’ in the law.

If you hire a good lawyer, there is a high chance that you will be acquitted of obstruction of business.

“I’ll say it again, the message contained in art is important. That doesn’t change just because it’s a photo exhibition. I won the grand prize because they highly regarded the message contained in my photos. To say that’s interference with business would be laughable even to a passing bird!”

He spoke so passionately that sweat began to form on No Cheon-seong’s forehead. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe the sweat, and something fell to the floor along with his hand.

‘What is that?’

[Is this a business card?]

Aliotta showed me a greatly enlarged version of the business card that had fallen on the floor. It was reporter Joo Jong-jin from .

‘Ganji Ilbo? I’ve never heard of that name.’

[I don’t know. This must be a completely third-rate newspaper. The title is ridiculous. Huh?]

Looking at the screen that Aliotta showed, I could tell what kind of newspaper it was. An internet newspaper that was obsessed with increasing clicks with provocative titles. So No Cheon-seong had a business card as a reporter from that place? Did the reporter contact him first?

I spoke to No Cheon-seong, who was wiping away his sweat.

“You must be hot. Drink some water.”

“yes.”

No Cheon-seong picked up the cup that was on the desk and started drinking in gulps. Then, Aliotta spoke to him.

[Hyun Kwang and No Cheon Sung’s cell phone hacking is complete!]

‘Really? Is there anything worth salvaging?’

[Do you know the advertisement called ‘Together with Nature’?]

‘Of course I know. It’s everywhere, from TV to department store billboards.’

[It looks like you signed a contract to use Noh Cheon-seong’s photo in that advertisement?]

Really? If so, isn’t this a total hit? Even if it were just an advertisement for a single product, you’d be wondering what the heck this was. ‘Together with Nature’ was not a product advertisement, but an advertisement at the group level.

An advertisement for Daemyung Group, which covers all products including apartments, clothing, and cosmetics. They use No Cheon-seong’s photo in it? I don’t know, but it must cost a lot of money.

‘Are you sure this is really a contract? It’s not just talk about a contract?’

[That’s for sure. If you look at the chat, there are messages congratulating the completion of the contract, and messages informing us of the future filming schedule.]

‘With that photo that won the grand prize this time?’

[yes.]

Hoo.

Is that so?

An internet newspaper that makes money by clicking.

Contract with Daemyung Group.

Kang Min-jong, who works in the ‘Animal Guardians’ group.

My head suddenly started spinning. An ingenious idea came to me. I said with a smile.

“Now that I hear it, everything the teacher said is right.”

“yes?”

He had always called me Mr. No Cheon-seong, but when I suddenly called him teacher, he seemed flustered, but he seemed happy.

“This is art. Isn’t it true art to convey a huge message in one photo?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“It is absurd to apply the yardstick of law to such a noble art. I really think I was ignorant of art because I only studied law. I apologize to you on your behalf.”

“Haha. No. I couldn’t be happier that you finally recognize me, Inspector.”

Behind No Cheon-seong, who was smiling brightly, Wi Jun-woo was looking at me with his eyes wide open and a face of bewilderment. I made a gesture to stop Wi Jun-woo from talking nonsense and then spoke to No Cheon-seong.

“I think the teacher must have felt really wronged because the police and prosecutors all treated him as a criminal without even knowing the ‘examples’ of art.”

“That’s what I’m saying!”

No Cheon-seong agreed with my words and smiled brightly.

Yeah, laugh out loud now.

Guilty as hell is my motto though.

If it’s difficult to punish by law, there are other ways!