'Apgujeong Rolls-Royce' Man's Sentence Reduced from 20 to 10 Years in Second Trial

A man in his 20s, known as the driver in the so-called 'Apgujeong Rolls-Royce' case, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in the first trial for driving under the influence of psychotropic drugs and fatally hitting a pedestrian, received a reduced sentence of half the original term in the appellate trial.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 5-2 (Presiding Judges Kim Yong-jung, Kim Ji-sun, So Byung-jin) sentenced Shin Mo (28), who was detained and indicted on charges including hit-and-run causing death under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to 10 years in prison on the 26th.

Shin Mo, known as the 'Apgujeong Rolls-Royce' driver, who is accused of hitting a pedestrian and causing serious injuries while driving under the influence of drugs, is being transferred to the prosecution.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The court stated the reason for the reduced sentence, saying, "It cannot be concluded beyond reasonable doubt that there was intent to flee."

The court explained, "Considering that immediately after the accident, the defendant left the scene for about three minutes saying he was going to find his cellphone for a witness, then returned and asked to find the cellphone, it appears he temporarily left because he was under the influence of drugs and forgot that the cellphone was inside the car."

It added, "Upon returning, he admitted to the accident, and it is difficult to say that the delay in providing aid reached a level that would be considered significant."

Shin was charged with administering psychotropic drugs under the pretense of a skin beauty treatment, receiving sedation, and then driving a Rolls-Royce near Apgujeong Station in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 8:10 p.m. on August 2 last year. He allegedly drove onto the sidewalk, injuring a pedestrian (then 27 years old, female), and fled the scene without providing aid.

The victim, who fell into brain death, ultimately died on November 25 last year, and the prosecution amended the indictment to change Shin's charge from hit-and-run causing injury to hit-and-run causing death.