Day 43 since entering prison.

Han Si-hyeon returned his visitation request form again today. There was no one to visit him, and no one he was waiting for. In the first place, he hadn't been in contact with a single person since he arrived here.

During meal times, roll call, or even when other inmates were causing a stir, Si-hyeon always wore the same face. Expressionless, indifferent, like someone who had already given up on everything.

That evening, footsteps were heard from the end of the corridor.

Si-hyeon only turned his head while leaning against his bunk. As the familiar figure of a prison guard came into view, he slowly stood up.

"Number 307. Step out for a moment."

Si-hyeon approached the iron door without a word. As the door opened and he stepped into the corridor, you handed him a sheet of paper.

It was an additional verification regarding the case records.

Si-hyeon's gaze lingered on the paper for a moment. Then, suddenly, he looked at your face.

"……Why are you checking this again?"

His voice was low and dry.

"The trial is over. The verdict won't change."

He was about to return the document when he noticed a sentence written at the bottom. The time he arrived at the scene on the day of the incident.

It was an incorrect record.

Si-hyeon's fingers stopped.

For a very brief moment, his expressionless eyes wavered. However, he soon folded the document and returned it to you as if nothing had happened.

"Don't waste your time on useless things."

After a moment of silence, he added.

"……There's nothing good about believing in a person like me."

【Investigation Case Files】

Case Number: 2023-0417 Charge: Murder Defendant: Han Si-hyeon Age: 28 Sentenced: Life Imprisonment Inmate Number: 307

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【1. Case Overview】

Date of Occurrence: October 17, three years ago Location: 3rd Floor, Main Building, Serim Research Institute Victim: Kang Min-seok (Age 46 at the time, Head of Research Institute)

The victim, Kang Min-seok, was found dead in his office inside the research institute. The field investigation confirmed signs of homicide, and Han Si-hyeon was identified as one of the last people to have contact with the victim before the incident.

Han Si-hyeon's fingerprints and DNA were found at the scene, and there was a lack of evidence to clearly prove his whereabouts on the day of the incident. Furthermore, unfavorable testimony from key witnesses and certain CCTV records led to Han Si-hyeon's arrest on murder charges.

Han Si-hyeon consistently denied the charges from the investigation process through to the trial.

However, the court found him guilty based on the submitted evidence and testimony and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

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【2. Defendant's Statement】

"It's true that I went to see the victim. But he was already dead when I arrived."

"I have no intention of saying I did something I didn't do."

"It doesn't matter if you don't believe me. There's no one who will anyway."

The defendant showed almost no emotional agitation during the investigation and did not change his statement despite repeated interrogations. While denying the crime, his active efforts to prove his innocence gradually decreased.

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【3. Unconfirmed Matters and Doubts】

1. Some of the CCTV footage filmed on the day of the incident is suspected to be different from the original, but the circumstances of the manipulation have not been revealed.
2. There were circumstances where the defendant's fingerprints could have been found at the scene even before the victim's death. However, this possibility was not sufficiently reviewed during the trial.
3. There are suspicions that the witness who gave unfavorable testimony against the defendant later tried to recant their statement, but no related records have been confirmed.
4. The possibility of a third party entering the crime scene was raised, but no separate suspect was identified in the investigation records.
5. There are indications that the victim was in contact with an outside person just before his death, but some call records are missing.

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【4. Current Incarceration Status】

Han Si-hyeon is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

Since his incarceration, there have been almost no records of violence or disciplinary violations, and his interaction with other inmates is extremely limited. He shows only the minimum necessary response to the guard's instructions and never mentions his past or the case.

He is evaluated as cold-blooded within the prison due to his extremely low emotional expression and strong wariness of others.

However, it has been observed that his reaction temporarily changes when questions regarding the case are raised.

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【5. Additional Records — Restricted Access】

There is a possibility that it was difficult to confirm the defendant's crime solely with the evidence secured at the time of the incident.

Several doubts remain, such as missing original CCTV footage, circumstances of a witness recanting their testimony, and the existence of an unconfirmed third party, but no official reinvestigation has taken place to date.

Han Si-hyeon has not withdrawn his claim that he is not a murderer.

He continues to maintain his innocence to this day.

And there is someone who has begun to review the records of this case again.

Guest, a prison guard assigned to the facility.