Live With Your Blood || LingOrm

Chapter 44: Court Sentenced

The news of Suree's tragic death spread like wildfire, sparking outrage among her loyal fans, her family, and concerned citizens across the nation. People demanded answers, staging vigils and protests, all insisting that those responsible be held accountable. With the pressure mounting from the public and higher authorities, the police escalated Suree's case to top priority, launching a full-scale investigation that left no stone unturned.

Within weeks, police identified their main suspects. Franky, one of the participants from the ill-fated night, was arrested under suspicion of being the shooter. Mr. Job, known to many as a respectable, licensed gun owner, was detained shortly after for aiding and abetting Franky.

As the investigation deepened, the charges against Franky and Mr. Job intensified under Thailand's strict Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms Act B.E. 2490 (1947).

The authorities charged Franky under Section 7 for unauthorized use of a firearm, as he had fired the weapon without a permit, which carried serious penalties.

Although Mr. Job was a licensed gun owner, evidence showed he had illegally modified his firearms and ammunition—violating Section 11, which strictly prohibits the modification or unauthorized sharing of firearms. He had also lent his modified weapons to Franky, compounding the gravity of his offense.

During their search, police also discovered that General Wongsawat, the teambuilding event's overseer, had been housing additional modified weapons in his tent. Although he wasn't directly implicated in the shooting, the discovery left him liable under Section 8 of the Firearms Act for possession of unauthorized and modified firearms.

While the case against Franky and Mr. Job seemed airtight, the soldiers present at the scene managed to avoid arrest. Despite Mrs. Koy's testimony describing the involvement of some individuals that night, the court ruled her statements inadmissible, concluding her words were biased in defense of her husband and an attempt to distort the facts.

Meanwhile, forensic teams confirmed that the bullet lodged in Suree's body matched Franky's pistol exactly, linking him directly to the crime scene. This further strengthened the charges against him, including attempted murder due to his aggressive actions that led to the fatal outcome.

The entire camp area where the incident had taken place was swiftly cordoned off for further investigation. It was revealed that the organizers had been hosting illegal firearms training sessions without proper permits. This discovery raised broader suspicions about the camp's legitimacy, and authorities announced plans to shut down the site pending a full investigation into its operations and any other violations.

The pressure and intensity of the investigation continued, with the nation watching closely. With such clear violations of law and a life lost in the crossfire, the community wouldn't settle for anything less than justice.

Bow and Mint successfully eliminated any evidence that could raise suspicion in the police investigation, particularly traces that were unnatural or non-human. With the assistance of police investigators who were also part of the vampire community, erasing these clues became a straightforward task.

Orm brought Ling to the court trial of her father and cousin. Ling disguised herself in a cap, sunglasses, and face mask—trying to hide herself from being seen by Mr. Job and Franky.

"It's okay. You sit with your mom. I'll stay back here," Ling whispered with a reassuring smile as she chose her seat in the back row of the court.

Orm nodded, moving to the front row beside her mother, Mrs. Koy, who sat with a tense, rigid posture. The courtroom was packed with reporters and journalists eager to capture every moment and detail, broadcasting it live to the public who demanded justice for Suree's death. Cameras flashed, and murmurs filled the air until the judge's gavel struck, calling for silence.