[Asia Economy Reporter Nana] A shaman who performed exorcism and shamanistic rituals to drive away spirits attached to the body caused the death of a woman in her 20s, B (27), and was sentenced to five years in prison in the appellate court as well.
On the 18th, the Jeonju branch of the Gwangju High Court announced that it dismissed the appeals of both the prosecutor and the defendant in the appeal trial of shaman A (44, male), who was indicted and detained on charges of injury resulting in death, and upheld the original sentence of five years in prison.
A was indicted for causing the death of B while performing exorcism rituals over four days from June 15 last year at an apartment in Mohyeon-dong, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk, and at a recreational area in Seocheon-gun, Chungnam.
He subjected B to harsh treatment and inflicted burns, claiming that he needed to drive away spirits attached to her body, and it was found that he did not provide food during the shamanistic rituals.
The court stated, "The defendant caused the victim to painfully end her life by performing exorcism rituals in an irrational manner despite being unable to treat the victim's mental illness," adding, "He caused wounds to the victim's family and failed to reach a settlement, so the original sentence does not seem heavy."
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