The first trial for a man in his 20s who fatally assaulted his ex-girlfriend was held on the 20th at the Tongyeong Branch of the Changwon District Court in South Gyeongsang Province.
According to the prosecution, the suspect in the so-called 'Geoje Dating Violence Death Case,' a man in his 20s identified as A, has been indicted on charges including inflicting bodily injury resulting in death, breaking and entering, and excessive approach behavior (stalking).
He is accused of breaking into the studio apartment of his ex-girlfriend, a woman in her 20s identified as B, on April 1, climbing on top of her as she slept, striking her head and face, strangling her, and violently assaulting her, which resulted in her death.
Due to A's assault, B suffered traumatic subdural hemorrhage and other injuries requiring six weeks of recovery. She died in the hospital 10 days later while undergoing treatment.
It was found that A had repeatedly committed acts of violence, such as slapping B in the face, after they began dating as high school classmates in April 2022.
Even after their recent breakup, A called B 14 times, and when B did not answer, he visited her residence, committing excessive approach behavior (stalking).
At the first trial, when asked by the judge if he wished to request a jury trial, A replied, "I do not want it."
A's attorney stated that reviewing the extensive evidence, including medical records and statements from medical professionals, would take time and postponed answering whether to agree to the evidence being admitted.
The prosecutor requested the court to "allow the victim's family members to testify directly" and stated that they would formally apply for the right to testify as victims.
After the trial, B's family said, "Even though a life was lost, the perpetrator has neither acknowledged his wrongdoing nor submitted a letter of apology," and added, "We hope the harshest punishment is imposed and that a law punishing dating violence is enacted so that such incidents do not happen again."
The next hearing for this case is scheduled for July 11 at 1:40 p.m. in the same courtroom.
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