01x04 - False Accusation

[bunniefuu]

VISITING ROOM ENTRANCE

TOKYO DETENTION HOUSE

It's been a long time.

Every month

you've been writing me letters.

I have.

Please stop.

I want

to die quietly.

We're done here.

Excuse me.

There was an error

in the visiting request form

submitted by Akizumi

from our office earlier.

He asked me to fix it up for him.

Mind if I do that?

Mr. Akizumi?

He was here to see Mr. Yusaku Shimizu?

That's right. To see Mr. Shimizu.

YUSAKU SHIMIZU

Since the visit's already over,

there's no need for corrections.

I see. Thank you.

Yusaku Shimizu

YUSAKU SHIMIZU

Is it too hot?

Well? Do you like this?

There are currently 64 dogs here

at the facility.

Do you know why these dogs were abandoned?

Their owners found them

to be too much work,

couldn't take them along to new homes,

or their kids got bored of them.

All for people's selfish reasons.

In Japan, about 14,000 dogs and cats

are euthanized every year.

That many?

Just like humans,

they don't get to pick their parents.

True.

This place has actually been around

for quite a while.

We've been working hard

for quite some time now.

This girl

That's Saya. She's over there.

Good, Mame.

By the way, this Golden Retriever, Cocoa,

is the mother of Mame over there.

Nice, Mame.

Then

who's this woman?

That's Ms. Momose.

Where is she right now?

She passed away a long time ago.

YUSAKU SHIMIZU

YUSAKU SHIMIZU SENTENCED TO DEATH

FOR ITOI FAMILY MURDERS

Sentenced to death for murders

The incident took place in 2012,

twelve years ago from now,

in a residential area in Hanamigawa Ward,

Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.

Makoto Itoi, a 42-year-old office worker,

his 38-year-old wife Eriko,

and their 9-year-old daughter Natsu

were m*rder*d in their home.

No money or valuables were taken,

leading the police to investigate it

as an act of revenge.

And Yusaku Shimizu,

Itoi's colleague, was arrested.

It really wasn't me.

Itoi and Shimizu had been colluding

to embezzle company funds.

They had a dispute over this money,

resulting in Shimizu murdering Itoi.

Initially, Shimizu denied

committing the crime,

but he later confessed his guilt.

He then received a death sentence

in the first trial.

The defense counsel

chose not to appeal the verdict,

and the trial came to a close.

This office was established

only five years ago.

And Mr. Akizumi

wasn't an attorney before that.

What was he doing?

He was a prosecutor.

Twelve years ago

Mr. Akizumi would've

still been a prosecutor.

Why did he visit a death row inmate?

Isn't that him?

Masato Uno is a charismatic attorney.

Do all attorneys stay

at such luxury hotels?

Are you jealous?

Curiously, he makes frequent trips

to a hotel for "business reasons."

USES IT FOR "BUSINESS"

Maybe I should've gone too.

Don't worry. Mr. Akizumi trusts them too.

-Excuse me.

-Excuse me.

I left something in the lobby!

Seriously? Let's head back then.

So, that woman back there isn't involved?

Oh, crap.

What are you

If they don't come out

for over an hour, we'll know for sure.

Yes.

But I'll hit you in five seconds.

Sorry!

That's a pretty good angle.

Well done.

Thanks.

Good work.

Ms. Shiraki, the rundown, please.

Right.

There's been a series of r*pe

in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture.

The first victim is Ms. Sena Moriya.

Late one night, when she returned

to her home where she lived alone,

a man trailing her

threatened her with a knife.

The man was wearing a balaclava,

so she couldn't see his face.

The second victim is Ms. Kasumi Toyama.

She was targeted in the same way.

Both reported the incidents

to the police after some time had passed.

Consequently, there's no evidence linking

to the culprit, like DNA.

With no eyewitness accounts

or physical evidence,

the investigation has been difficult.

And on February 21st,

the third incident occurred.

The third victim is Ms. Eri Sendo.

She was also threatened

with a knife in the same way

and nearly pulled into her apartment.

Please stop!

She fought back desperately,

causing the man's mask to come off.

Panicked, the man fled the scene.

The prosecution suspected Mr. Reiji Kurusu

of being the man and indicted him.

Kurusu was arrested on suspicion

of sexually assaulting three women

within Chiba City.

Chiba

Why this case?

A high-profile case like this

is the perfect chance

to get your name out there.

By the way, Kurusu was found guilty

of committing an indecent act

without consent a year ago.

But in this case,

the only conclusive evidence

is the eyewitness account

of the third incident.

Upon questioning, he confessed

to the first and second incidents.

He confessed?

But he hasn't admitted to the third.

I assume

this was on Attorney Uno's advice.

So,

you wanted to snatch this case

from Attorney Uno. That's why

If you see a tasty fruit,

you have to go and pluck it yourself.

I'm happy for you.

What should we have for lunch?

I want omurice!

-Omurice?

-Let's see.

-What else?

-What about this one?

Here you go.

It won't fly away anymore.

Thanks!

-I'm so sorry.

-No worries.

So cool!

Thanks.

What's on yours?

Nothing.

It's been a while, Mr. Uno.

Mind if we have a little chat?

What's this about?

Do you want me to spell it out?

So, you're the Akizumi.

I don't know what this is about,

but not today.

I understand Yua is enrolling

in a private elementary school next year.

How do you know that?

I have a very simple deal for you.

If you accept it,

you can protect both your job

and your family.

Seriously, you attorneys are so willful.

You say you'll do something,

then change your mind.

Everyone's got

their own circumstances, after all.

But still, you're lucky.

I'll be handling your defense now,

and I want to confirm something again.

You were maintaining your innocence,

so why did you confess?

Because that attorney told me to.

"If the interrogation drags on,

it'll work against us."

"You can tell the truth in court."

I see.

Just to confirm,

when the third incident occurred,

where were you?

I went to my regular bar after work

and then headed straight home to sleep.

Anything to prove that?

The last time I got arrested,

it was such a pain,

so I turn off my phone when moving.

Say,

they don't have much evidence against me.

Is it true

I'll be found innocent in the trial?

Of course.

I promise to secure an acquittal for you.

Getting a confession from him

only to overturn it later.

What was Attorney Uno's strategy?

He is the guard, Osawa.

I'm Osawa.

-Here are Mr. Kurata and Mr. Onishi.

-Ms. Shinomiya?

This way, please.

Are they the prefectural police?

Why are they here?

Has there been any change in the accused?

None. He's carrying on without any issue.

As you're probably aware,

once we arrive at the investigation room,

we'll move the accused.

Have a seat while you wait.

Mobile phones aren't permitted for use.

-So I'll hold onto them.

-Right.

I still don't understand

Mr. Uno's intention.

Why did he make Kurusu

confess to the crime?

If Kurusu was claiming innocence,

Mr. Uno could've told him

to deny the accusation or remain silent.

Defending him

would've been simpler that way.

It's quite a stretch to have him say,

"I confessed, but it was a lie."

It's also odd Mr. Uno didn't make him

confess to the third incident.

If only Kurusu had his phone turned on,

he'd have had a straightforward alibi.

Anyway, the eyewitness account

for the third incident,

which is the conclusive evidence,

conflicts with Mr. Kurusu's account.

Wait, where's Mr. Akizumi?

Do you have an appointment?

Despite facing that ordeal,

you're still fulfilling your duties.

Your resilience is remarkable.

I'm impressed.

Who are you?

Mr. Kurusu

and I have been acquainted for some time.

Could I speak with you later?

My shift ends at 7 p.m.

I'm heading home.

-Good night.

-Good night.

I've been waiting for you.

You finished work an hour early.

I've told the police everything.

Ask them for details.

My apologies.

You see, a few aspects

of your testimony trouble me.

-Who are you?

-May I ask a few questions?

Keep it brief.

On the day of the incident,

you were threatened with a knife.

You fought back desperately,

and saw the man's face.

The man panicked and fled the scene.

I hear that is your testimony.

Is this correct?

What about it?

Were you acquainted with Mr. Kurusu?

Ask him yourself.

It's a minor detail,

but there's a convenience store

just 13 steps from the crime scene.

When you were threatened with a knife

in front of your apartment,

why didn't you rush into the store?

I was overwhelmed with panic

and couldn't think clearly.

If you had shouted,

surely someone would have noticed.

But no one has come forward

with such testimony yet.

Two days later, you went to the police

to submit a victim's report.

Why didn't you report the crime

to the police right after it happened?

Because

It's difficult to speak out

against sex crimes.

You wouldn't understand.

Can I go now?

It appears Uno really did resign

from Kurusu's defense.

Akizumi

Were you aware?

It's fine.

Kurusu has already confessed to the crime.

Nothing will change now.

Anyway, about the incident in Funabashi

Why make him confess?

SERIES OF r*pe IN CHIBA

ITOI FAMILY MURDERS

CHIBA PREFECTURE

The Itoi family murders

happened in Chiba as well.

Up until now,

Mr. Akizumi has never chosen cases

solely for the client's defense.

In many cases, including those

involving Mr. Hiyama and Shoichiro,

he's remained steadfast in his beliefs.

With this case,

he went as far as threatening

another attorney to secure it.

Is he planning something again?

Still working?

YUSAKU SHIMIZU

I've been looking into what I can do

until Mr. Matsunaga's retrial.

I see. Good luck.

Thanks.

My own path, huh?

It seems

Mr. Akamine is beginning to catch on.

But it's not time yet, right?

No.

This case might be the crisis.

Right.

So keep pretending

like you're oblivious to everything.

Understood.

Mr. Matsunaga.

Just a little longer.

Please wait a little longer.

I will

prove

your innocence.

That day, he was drinking

until 1 a.m. as usual.

How do you feel about Mr. Kurusu's arrest?

The way he looked at women was creepy.

It looked like

he only saw them as objects of desire.

"All women fall in love with me."

He was completely misguided.

Disgusting.

He could actually be quite kind.

When taking out the trash,

he'd help out the elderly woman downstairs

by taking out hers too.

Good day.

Good day.

Thank you.

People have different sides to them

depending on the situation.

It's not about one

being the real Mr. Kurusu.

Both versions are probably the real him.

-Excuse me.

-Yes?

-A noodle refill, firm, please.

-Sure thing.

Um

Can I share a hypothetical scenario?

What if I mean, it's a big what if

Mr. Akizumi has a motive again

for taking on this case?

I mean, it's odd for him

to actively pursue a case in Chiba.

Especially considering the client

didn't approach him.

He took the case by force.

Here you are.

It's like his past cases.

Hiyama had committed a crime.

But in exchange

for securing Hiyama's acquittal,

he exposed the prosecution's corruption.

In the following case, he didn't secure

another acquittal as expected.

But instead, he exposed

the corruption of politicians.

In both instances, he exposed

the people behind the incidents,

condemning those who sought to gain

an advantage through unlawful means.

Maybe he has another motive.

For instance,

if Kurusu confesses to his crime,

it would benefit the police, who have

struggled to arrest the culprit until now.

I think Mr. Akizumi is selecting

these cases deliberately.

If the police

DAD

Huh?

Don't you have to get that?

It's fine.

I got a message.

The next public trial

will take place in the same courthouse.

All rise.

Ayuka, I never thought

you were on Mr. Datehara's team.

It must be tough working under him.

Not at all. I learn a great deal from him.

Really?

That's what a good subordinate says.

I'm just being honest.

Ms. Seko, you and Mr. Datehara

have quite a history, right?

We're just stuck together.

Prosecutors and judges

have an inextricable link, after all.

True.

Anyway, he's risen to the position

of Chief Prosecutor.

Quite impressive.

I've heard rumors about you

becoming a Supreme Court Justice soon.

Oh, please. Who told you that?

Bye.

Good day.

He snatched the case?

Yes, the serial r*pe case in Chiba.

Is Mr. Akizumi planning

another dramatic move?

ISAO KURATA

I see.

Hey, you.

Yes?

Could I

ask you a favor?

Excuse me.

Hey.

You recalled something about Ms. Eri?

Actually, that gentleman over there

How about you join me

for a drink for once?

Hello.

So, in a nutshell

she's a romantic.

A romantic?

-Cheers.

-Thanks.

She can't sit still unless she's in love.

Anyway, she falls for people quickly

and even says she spends money on them.

I see.

Based on your appearance,

you're a detective, right?

You're looking into

Ms. Eri's twisted habit.

-Habit?

-Her stalking habit.

Any clue who she's fixated on?

She brought me here saying

there was a guy she's interested in.

Then he started flirting with me.

That made her really upset.

Um, do you have a picture?

You want to see it?

I can show you

if you go on a date with me.

Huh? Does that mean

she gave false testimony?

That's right.

The incident involving Ms. Eri Sendo,

the third victim, was fabricated.

But that's too

In this case,

there were two

consecutive instances of harm.

However, it took time

to catch the perpetrator,

and media coverage intensified.

The Chiba Police,

facing ongoing criticism,

must have been feeling quite nervous.

And then, the third incident occurred.

Ms. Eri Sendo provided

an eyewitness testimony as the victim,

prompting the police

to finally arrest Mr. Kurusu.

There's a big difference between

the first two incidents and the third.

What is it?

Mr. Kurusu confessed

to the first two but not the third.

Right. Anything else?

In the third incident,

the victim was stalking Mr. Kurusu.

She was following him everywhere,

it was really terrible.

How did Ms. Eri get acquainted

with Mr. Kurusu in the first place?

I think this is how.

He sure is handsome, isn't he?

Ms. Eri saw photos of Mr. Kurusu

and fell for him instantly.

Then, according to her colleague,

she began frequenting this bar.

She pursued him relentlessly,

even ambushing him every day.

Due to Mr. Kurusu's

prior criminal record for a sexual offense

and resemblance

to the suspect's description,

the Chiba Police suspected him

and began surveilling him.

So, it wasn't hard for the police officer

investigating the case

to encounter Ms. Eri at the bar,

who was stalking Mr. Kurusu.

Then, Ms. Eri discovered that

Mr. Kurusu was a r*pe suspect.

It must have been a shock for her

to learn that the man she loved had

a liking for other women besides herself.

Ms. Eri was infatuated

with him enough to stalk him.

It's not surprising if she felt betrayed

and wanted to make him experience hell.

So, did Ms. Eri invent the story

and report it to the police?

Who knows whether it was the police

or Ms. Eri who came up with the idea?

It's just one possibility.

As for the police,

they could arrest Mr. Kurusu,

whom they were convinced was the culprit.

Once arrested,

they could question him extensively

about the previous two incidents.

And if they could get a confession,

it wouldn't be a mistaken arrest.

As for Ms. Eri, she could punish

the man who had hurt her.

It's not a bad deal for either party.

There's another thing

that could be explained.

Here's Attorney Uno's

defense record thus far.

He's famous for highlighting

mitigating circumstances and defending

the human rights of the accused.

In other words,

he has secured a guilty verdict

in every case he's handled.

What if there was a deal

with the police behind this?

I've been hearing bad rumors

about Attorney Uno for some time.

Upon investigation,

I confirmed his frequent contact

with Onishi from the Chiba Police.

That's the detective

who arrested Mr. Kurusu.

The police and Attorney Uno

were colluding in secret

to convict Mr. Kurusu?

So, if we expose this Detective Onishi

No, this is where it gets tricky.

-Mr. Aoyama.

-Right.

That's Ms. Eri's apartment.

He is Isao Kurata.

It is significant

that the Chief of Criminal Investigations

personally visited the victim's home.

Was he aware of Ms. Eri's false testimony?

He likely visited her to strategize

after hearing about the change

in defense attorneys.

But this picture alone

won't prove anything.

Chief Kurata entered Ms. Eri's apartment.

That is the crucial point.

Now

who should we bring down first?

Thank you so much for coming all this way.

Please don't be so guarded.

Now and in the past,

the police and prosecution

have always been friends.

Please relax and take a seat.

Why did you want to see me today?

Is your daughter doing well?

My daughter is 12 now,

in her first year of junior high.

Take a look at this.

See?

Isn't she cute?

The thing is

Lately, it seems this attorney

called Akizumi or something

is causing quite a stir.

And

I happened to hear

that he might be involved in your case.

Are you aware of this?

Yes.

I'm relieved to hear that.

Well, I knew that you,

as the Chief of Criminal Investigations,

wouldn't let your guard down.

We will never cause any trouble for you,

Chief Prosecutor.

Oh, please.

Don't misunderstand.

I'm not concerned at all.

In fact

I trust you.

If you make a face like that,

your daughter will dislike you.

Don't you agree?

It's Chief Kurata, isn't it?

That's who Mr. Akizumi

wants to bring down.

I don't think he's targeting

Ms. Eri or Attorney Uno.

I think he was after

Chief Kurata from the start.

Ms. Shinomiya

I

I believe

that if someone has committed a crime,

even if they're our client,

they should repent and serve time.

That's why

I still can't accept Hiyama's case.

But that's also why I believe

Mr. Akizumi has acted with a motive

in the cases

involving Hiyama and Shoichiro,

as well as in this current case.

I

Yusaku Shimizu.

YUSAKU SHIMIZU

That's the name of the culprit

in the Itoi family murders 12 years ago

in Hanamigawa Ward, Chiba City,

Chiba Prefecture.

Twelve years ago?

Mr. Akizumi went to see this man.

YUSAKU SHIMIZU SENTENCED TO DEATH

FOR ITOI FAMILY MURDERS

This case was also

within the Chiba Police's jurisdiction.

It occurred when Mr. Akizumi

was still a prosecutor,

before becoming an attorney.

-Um

-Could it be a complete coincidence?

CHIBA PREFECTURAL POLICE

HEADQUARTERS

Excuse me!

Yes?

I'm sorry. I mistook you for someone else.

Is something the matter?

May I have a moment?

Right.

What is it?

It looks like Attorney Akizumi's staff

is watching outside.

I see.

It's safer to leave from the back,

just in case.

Right.

I have something to discuss with you.

Well, I don't.

Reiji Kurusu.

It's about the man

who was indicted on suspicion of r*pe.

You're aware of this case, right?

You're in the way. Move aside.

Please wait.

Wait!

Right.

I understand.

Excuse me.

I had no idea

that Chief Kurata is your

Do the others know about this?

I think Mr. Akizumi

was targeting my father from the start.

If you're willing

could you tell me

about you and your father?

My father

was also my role model.

He was kind,

family-oriented,

and had a strong sense of justice.

I wanted to be just like him.

But my father stopped smiling.

After a certain point 12 years ago.

Twelve years ago?

Do you mean

It was around the same time

as the Itoi family murders.

Back then, my father

was in the First Investigation Division

of the Chiba Police.

I'm really busy right now.

He began devoting himself

even more to work.

And he started fighting constantly

with my mother.

Are you stupid?

A few years later, they divorced.

You think this is okay?

Why did my father suddenly change?

Back then, I had no way of knowing.

Still

I respected my father.

So, I talked to him a lot

about me becoming an attorney.

But

six years ago

On the day I graduated university

A man was visiting my father.

I couldn't tell clearly

what they were discussing.

But

I remember the man's face.

It was Mr. Akizumi?

Go away.

Answer me, Mr. Kurata.

You unlawfully

covered that up, didn't you?

Covered up.

Those words

they're etched in my memory.

My father didn't say anything back.

I don't know what happened after that

because I wasn't living with my father.

But

after I passed the bar examination,

I suddenly received an official job offer

from the Akizumi Law Office.

When I saw Mr. Akizumi

I instantly recognized him

as the same man.

So, you joined this office?

I figured if I stayed with Mr. Akizumi

I might learn more about my father.

Have you questioned

Mr. Akizumi about this?

But when you mentioned that Mr. Akizumi

had been meeting Yusaku Shimizu,

the culprit of the Itoi family murders

everything fell into place.

So, 12 years ago,

Chief Kurata was handling this case

And he might have

unlawfully covered something up.

Just as I suspected

Mr. Akizumi is using Ms. Eri's case

to bring down Chief Kurata.

Perhaps to reveal the injustice

in Yusaku Shimizu's case?

Mr. Shimizu

was falsely accused.

I want

to die quietly.

We're done here.

Mr. Shimizu!

I promise

to secure an acquittal for you.

Right from the start,

Mr. Akizumi knew I was Kurata's daughter.

That's why he invited me here.

Impossible.

Being my father's daughter

makes me a vulnerability for him.

To expose Kurata's unlawful dealings,

Mr. Akizumi is trying to use me.

Excuse me.

Welcome!

It's from my father.

He wants to meet and talk to me.

I hear you've been doing pretty well.

Not as much as you, Mr. Datehara.

Subtitle translation by: Ai Matsuoka

What did you cover up?

One lie connected three parties

that shouldn't have been linked.

Are you saying

we need to break their ties?

The hero of justice

who clears a false accusation

Is that your aim?

From now on, it's in your hands, Akamine.

I'll reveal this fact in court.

Shall we get started soon?

Dad!