Confident Throughout the Trial Process... Shows No Sign of Remorse
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Mo (31), who is accused of killing three family members including his parents and older brother at his home in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, in February this year, has been sentenced to death. With only the court's judgment remaining, Kim's confident attitude throughout the trial, despite admitting all charges, shocked the courtroom.
On the 17th, at the second trial for the charges of killing his ascendants and murder held at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 14 (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun), the prosecution requested the court to sentence Kim to death, describing the crime as "a brutal act of mercilessly killing his sleeping parents and older brother after planning the crime deliberately." The prosecution added, "Considering the method of the crime, motive, and risk of reoffending, he must be permanently isolated from society, and the court should decide on his life or death."
On February 10, Kim stabbed and killed his biological parents and older brother one after another with a weapon he had prepared in advance. After committing the crime, he directly reported it to 119 and confessed. Kim had stated that he believed he was abused by his family, including his parents and brother, and that his life was not special and had failed because of his family, which led him to commit this crime.
In the final defense, Kim's lawyer argued, "He was continuously abused by his parents since school days, which ultimately led to this crime," and requested leniency in sentencing, citing psychiatric evaluation results indicating bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, stating that the crime was committed under diminished mental capacity.
However, Kim did not show much remorse during the trial. When the court asked about the prosecutor's charges, he replied, "I admit everything," but when asked about the reason for the murder, he responded irritably, "I already said it." When the court asked again, "Was it because you were abused?" he reluctantly answered, "Yes."
Regarding the diminished mental capacity claimed by the defense, when the court asked, "Do you know that the evaluation showed your mental health is somewhat poor?" he answered, "I don't know." When the court explained again, "You have schizophrenia, so it would be good to receive treatment," he again replied briefly, "Yes."
Finally, when asked if he had anything special to say, Kim slightly smiled and said, "No," adding, "I admit all the facts of the crime." After the prosecution's death sentence request, when the court asked for his opinion, Kim calmly responded, "Death sentence? I understand."
Meanwhile, the sentencing for Kim is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on the 31st.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
