Yang Mo Denied Charges Until the End... Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty for Jeong-in's Yang Mo (Comprehensive)

Prosecutors: "Death by abuse without clear reason... Denies crime until the end"
Foster mother: "Hit the abdomen but never threw or stepped on"
Forensic expert: "Jeong-in's ribs broken, likely couldn't breathe"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The prosecution has demanded the death penalty, the highest sentence in court, for the adoptive mother who abused and caused the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in. The adoptive father, accused of neglecting the crime despite knowing about it, was sentenced to imprisonment.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-ju) held a sentencing hearing at 2 p.m. on charges against the adoptive mother Jang for murder and violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes (child abuse resulting in death), and against the adoptive father Ahn for violation of the Child Welfare Act (child abuse, etc.).

Prosecution’s 'Strong Move' with Indictment Change: "Request Death Penalty"

At the trial, the prosecution stated regarding the adoptive mother Jang, "Life, once lost, cannot be exchanged for anything," and "Any infringement on a person's life is unacceptable for any reason," while demanding the death penalty. They added, "The defendant had the duty to restore the victim’s health but abused the victim for a long time without any particular reason, leading to death," and "The defendant denies the crime and shows no remorse."

Additionally, the prosecution requested the court to impose a 10-year employment restriction order for child-related institutions, a 30-year electronic monitoring order, and a 5-year probation order on Jang.

The prosecution also demanded a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months and a 10-year employment restriction order related to children for Jang’s husband Ahn, who was indicted together, stating, "He was more aware than anyone of Jang’s abusive behavior but neglected to take any measures to protect the victim."

The sentencing date for them is scheduled for 1:50 p.m. on the 14th of next month.

"Check the Black Box" - Adoptive Mother Tried to Hide the Crime

Before the sentencing, the prosecution submitted messenger conversations between adoptive mother Jang and adoptive father Ahn as evidence.

In the conversation, Jang said, "I told the police I left the child in the car for about 10 minutes, but I think it was longer," and asked Ahn, "Please check how long the car black box stores footage and if the video remains."

After confirming that almost no footage remained on the black box, Jang expressed relief, saying "Thank goodness." She also said, "What kind of hardship is this? Who is the snitch?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"I Never Stepped on or Threw the Child" - Denies Murder Charges Until the End

Jang’s side submitted a childcare diary written by her as evidence, stating, "The defendant had affection for the child until the early adoption period." The diary contained entries such as "I am grateful that the child seems to be gradually opening up," and "I am thankful that the adoption process was completed and we officially became a family."

However, Jang admitted, "I did assault and abuse the child for reasons such as the child not eating well," and said, "This may have caused the child trauma related to chewing."

Jang tearfully said, "When I was annoyed or in a bad mood, I treated the child roughly," and apologized, saying, "I am sorry. I was wrong."

Regarding the prosecution’s claim that "Jang caused death by applying strong impact such as stepping on the child’s abdomen," Jang denied, "I never stepped on or threw the child." However, she admitted, "I did hit the abdomen strongly several times with my hand."

When asked about the reason for the assault, Jang said, "I thought the child was resisting because she did not eat the food I worked hard to prepare," and added, "I was under a lot of accumulated stress and worried about a possible abuse report."

Regarding why she did not take Jeong-in to the hospital immediately after the assault, Jang said, "The child appeared sleepy, so I thought it was nothing serious and laid her on the bed."

When the prosecutor asked, "If a child who just woke up is sleepy after being assaulted, shouldn’t that be seen as losing consciousness rather than just being sleepy?" Jang choked up and said, "I didn’t think that way at the time."

On the other hand, the defense argued, "The defendant had planned adoption even before giving birth to her first child and had no intention to abuse from the beginning," and "The initial scolding of the child was a form of discipline to make her eat well." They added, "The defendant never informed or showed the husband about the abuse," and "The husband only knew about light corporal punishment."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Final Witness: "Jeong-in’s Arm Must Have Twisted with a 'Crack' Sound"

However, the expert’s testimony in court was different. Lee Jeong-bin, endowed professor at Gachon University College of Medicine who participated in the re-examination of Jeong-in’s cause of death, appeared as the last witness in the first trial and said, "Considering there are no bruise-like marks on the victim’s abdomen, it appears that a low-speed pushing force was applied," and "Considering the defendant’s statement that the arm was weak due to surgery at the time, it is likely that the victim’s abdomen was stepped on with a foot rather than a hand."

When the defense asked, "Isn’t it possible that someone unfamiliar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) caused abdominal injury while performing CPR on Jeong-in?" Lee drew a line, saying, "No matter how little someone knows about CPR, no one presses the abdomen."

Regarding the multiple fractures found on Jeong-in’s body, Professor Lee explained, "It is almost impossible to cause fractures just by falling," and about the scalp bleeding, "All the elongated wounds are from being struck repeatedly." He further testified, "The distal part of the arm bone was completely shattered, which happens only when the arm is twisted," and "It must have dislocated with a 'crack' sound."

Professor Lee said, "Jang evaluated the victim child as 'a child who did not cry much,' but it was because the child could not cry due to broken ribs." Regarding the circumstance that Jeong-in was gasping for breath every 30 seconds while being transported to the hospital by taxi, he stated, "That kind of gasping breath is the kind that comes when dying."