Prosecution Appeals Doosan Lee Young-ha's First Trial Not Guilty Verdict in School Violence Allegations

The prosecution has decided to appeal the first trial's not guilty verdict for Doosan Bears pitcher Lee Young-ha, who was tried on charges of assaulting a junior during high school.

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 31st of last month at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and is responding to questions from the press.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 5th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office submitted an appeal to the Seoul Western District Court, which had handled Lee's case involving charges of special assault, coercion, and extortion.

The prosecution stated, "There was a misjudgment of facts and misunderstanding of the law," adding, "The victim's testimony is detailed and consistent, supported by witness statements that align with it." They further explained, "Although Lee claims he was not at the crime scene, considering the related evidence comprehensively, it is recognized that Lee was present at the crime scene."

Lee is accused of assaulting junior A along with Kim Dae-hyun (LG Twins), who was a classmate in the baseball team at Sunrin Internet High School. It is reported that he forced A to insert fingers into an electric fly swatter and made juniors perform songs and dance routines to cause them shame. Additionally, at a hotel in Taiwan, he allegedly cursed at A for not serving ramen and called the victim and seven fellow pitcher classmates to the victim's room, where they subjected him to harsh acts such as headbutting.

However, on the 31st of last month, the first trial court acquitted Lee. The court explained, "In the case of harassment using the electric fly swatter, the victim's testimony was inconsistent, making it difficult to prove the charges," and "The victim testified that the harm occurred in 2015 at Godeok Baseball Stadium and the school weight room, but Lee had departed for Japan at that time. It is unlikely that Lee was at the location during the 2016 training when the harm was said to have occurred." The prosecution had requested a two-year prison sentence for Lee at the sentencing hearing on the 3rd of last month.