Defendants indicted for collectively assaulting and sexually abusing a fellow inmate in a detention center submitted letters of reflection, but the presiding judge strongly rebuked them over their lack of sincerity.
The 2nd Criminal Division of the Busan High Court (Presiding Judge Park Woon-sam) held the first appellate trial yesterday (November 4) for four individuals, including A, who were indicted on charges of special forcible indecent act, joint injury, and habitual assault.
They were sent to trial on charges of habitually assaulting a fellow inmate in his 30s, identified as B, who shared the same detention cell at the Busan Detention Center for about a month starting in January of this year, with some also facing charges of forcible indecent act.
On February 15, even though B complained of feeling unwell, they collectively assaulted his face and thighs and attempted to pull down his underwear.
The first trial sentenced the two main culprits to 3 years and 2.5 years in prison, respectively, while the two accomplices received 1.5 years in prison with 2 to 3 years of probation.
Both the prosecution and the defendants appealed citing inappropriate sentencing. During the appellate hearing, when the defense requested time to reach a settlement with the victim, the judge reprimanded the defendants by mentioning that the victim had submitted a petition demanding severe punishment.
Presiding Judge Park rebuked them, stating, "Instead of reflecting on your wrongdoings and planning your future lives while in a detention center, you targeted and tormented a vulnerable inmate," and asked, "You probably submitted letters of reflection claiming you are remorseful, but isn't this deceiving the court?"
The judge even issued a warning to the two defendants who received probation in the first trial, saying, "Receiving probation is not the end. We will re-examine the sentencing."
The court granted time for settlement discussions and decided to proceed with the next trial on December 2.
Reported by Son Hyeong-an | Video by Kim Min-ji | Design by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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