Court: "Human dignity and value brutally trampled"
Stepfather sentenced to 5 years in prison... taken into custody in court
Citizens gather from 7 AM in front of the court demanding severe punishment
Tears of relief and regret over life sentence verdict news
The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were charged with abuse leading to the death of 16-month-old Jeong-in, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The adoptive mother accused of abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old adoptee Jeong-in was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial. The court also sentenced the adoptive father, who was indicted together, to five years in prison.
The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Lee Sang-joo) held a sentencing hearing at 1:50 p.m. on the same day for the adoptive mother Jang and the adoptive father Ahn, who were indicted on charges including murder and violation of the Child Welfare Act, respectively, and delivered the sentence. Immediately after the verdict, the court issued an arrest warrant for Ahn, who was then taken into custody in the courtroom.
Additionally, the court ordered both adoptive parents to complete 200 hours of child abuse treatment programs and imposed a 10-year employment ban at child-related institutions.
The court stated, "The defendants began to neglect or abandon the victim by prioritizing only their own feelings and circumstances, and committed emotional and physical abuse against the victim," adding, "Eventually, they committed heinous acts such as forcefully kicking the victim’s abdomen with their foot, which is unimaginable, leading to the victim’s death."
It continued, "After being adopted, the victim suffered unimaginable fear due to cruel mental and physical abuse amid the defendants’ neglect and coldness, and the last spark of life was extinguished by the defendants," emphasizing, "The defendants’ criminal acts are inhumane crimes that brutally trampled on the dignity and value of human beings guaranteed by the Constitution, and it is necessary to indefinitely isolate the defendants from general society."
During the reading of the sentencing reasons, the adoptive mother Jang bowed her head deeply and occasionally wiped away tears.
Regarding the adoptive father Ahn, the court explained, "If he had stopped the adoptive mother’s abuse or taken appropriate measures such as treatment for the victim, the victim’s death might have been prevented," and "Since he lost the last chance to save the victim, severe punishment is inevitable."
Immediately after the sentencing, Ahn told the court, "I will accept all punishments," but requested leniency until the second trial for the sake of his eldest child at home. However, the court rejected the request and issued the arrest warrant.
Jang was arrested and indicted on charges including murder for repeatedly assaulting and abusing her adopted daughter Jeong-in from June to October last year and delivering a strong blow to the abdomen on October 13, which caused her death.
The first trial sentencing hearing for Jeong-in's adoptive parents, who were charged with abusing 16-month-old Jeong-in to death, will be held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Seoul Southern District Court. On the morning of the same day, people searching for Jeong-in held a protest rally in front of the Seoul Southern Detention Center. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Based on the opinions of the autopsy doctor and forensic experts, the prosecution judged that Jang had intent or conditional intent to kill and designated the murder charge as the principal charge.
Jang’s defense attorney admitted to the habitual assault on Jeong-in but denied the murder charge, claiming there was no strong blow that could have caused death.
The husband Ahn was also indicted for abusing Jeong-in and aiding his wife’s assault. Ahn’s side admitted to some abuse charges but claimed ignorance of his wife’s assaults.
At the sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested the death penalty, the maximum sentence under the law, stating that Jang had conditional intent to kill.
Meanwhile, ahead of the first trial sentencing, about 250 citizens gathered in front of the court demanding severe punishment for the adoptive parents. They held placards reading “Punish adoptive mother Jang for murder” and wore black masks, calling on the court to sentence Jang to death.
The protest, which began at 7 a.m., grew larger as the trial time approached and at one point clashed with the police.
Right after the sentencing for the adoptive parents, citizens expressed both cheers and tears but also showed regret that the death penalty, the highest legal sentence, was not imposed.
A citizen, Kim Ji-an (pseudonym), said, "It is regrettable that the death penalty was not imposed despite the heinous crime committed," adding, "Still, it is fortunate that they can be permanently isolated from society, and I hope the adoptive father will receive a harsher punishment in the second trial."
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