'School Violence Controversy' Doosan Bears Lee Young-ha... Not Guilty in First Trial

Professional baseball player Lee Young-ha (Doosan Bears), who was prosecuted for assaulting a junior during high school, was acquitted in the first trial.

Doosan Bears pitcher Lee Young-ha, who was indicted on charges of school violence, received a not guilty verdict at the sentencing trial held on the morning of the 31st at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is responding to questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 31st, Judge Jung Geum-young of the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 4 acquitted Lee, who was charged with special assault, coercion, and extortion. The court explained the reason for the not guilty verdict, stating, "The victim's testimony contradicts objective evidence and the statements of other baseball team members in many parts," and "the evidence is insufficient, making it difficult to conclude that the charges have been proven."

The controversy over Lee's school violence arose in February 2021 when a post was uploaded on an online community alleging that Lee had assaulted someone during his time at Sunrin Internet High School.

Although the prosecution demanded a two-year prison sentence in the previous trial, Lee's side denied the charges and insisted on his innocence. In his final statement on the 3rd, he said, "I reflect on the parts I should, and conversely, I believe the things I deny are not true," adding, "I was not a good senior, but I don't know if my actions were as bad or severe as claimed."