One Month of Psychiatric Evaluation at National Legal Medicine Hospital
Withdrawal of Citizen Participation Trial... "Was Not Well Aware of the Procedure"
When Asked About Feelings, "No Special Comments"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Mo (31), who is accused of killing three family members including his parents and brother, admitted to the charges at his first trial.
The Criminal Division 14 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Chief Judge Kim Dong-hyun) held the first hearing for Kim, who was indicted on charges of parricide and murder, at 10:30 a.m. on the 18th.
At the trial, Kim’s defense attorney stated, “The defendant admits to all charges and is remorseful for his wrongdoing.”
During the police investigation, Kim testified that he had a history of being hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital due to depressive symptoms. He was transferred to the National Forensic Hospital and underwent a psychiatric evaluation for about a month, where he was diagnosed with “diminished mental capacity.” Kim’s defense attorney added, “The defendant was also hospitalized and treated for a mental illness at a university hospital in 2016.”
Previously, Kim had expressed a desire for a jury trial but withdrew his request, saying, “Please just proceed.” The defense attorney explained, “The defendant applied for a jury trial without fully understanding the application.”
When asked about his current feelings by the court, Kim consistently responded with indifference, saying, “I have nothing particular to say.”
Kim was arrested and indicted on charges of killing his parents and brother at his home in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, around 6:50 a.m. on February 10. After the crime, Kim himself called 119 (emergency services), and when the police arrived at the scene, the three family members were already deceased.
During the investigation, Kim cited continuous abuse by his family as the motive for the crime. His defense attorney explained, “Kim claims he was mentally and physically abused since childhood,” and added, “About a month before the crime, unable to endure the abuse any longer, the defendant attempted an extreme act.”
After the trial, the bereaved family members told reporters, “We heard there was a disciplinary aspect related to study issues,” and added, “He seemed to consider that abuse and could not endure it.” Regarding Kim’s claim to the police immediately after the incident that “They are not my biological parents, and I am an adopted child,” the family dismissed it as “a delusion.”
Meanwhile, Kim’s next trial is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. on June 29.
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