Gyeoje Domestic Violence Death Case Perpetrator's Side "Ask for a Loving Spanking" ... Bereaved Family "Nonsense"

Prosecution: "Not Simple Injury Resulting in Death, Sentenced to 20 Years Imprisonment"

"Don't say such nonsense! Our daughter died, a person died!"

The mother of a daughter who died after being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend protested toward the defendant's lawyer delivering the closing argument in court.

The mother of the victim in the so-called 'Geoje Dating Violence Death Case' shouted at the defendant making the final statement, "If you have a conscience, speak properly!"

The defendant, A, a man in his 20s, was indicted on charges of breaking into the residence of his ex-girlfriend B, also in her 20s, on April 1, assaulting her by climbing on her body while she was sleeping, hitting her head and face, strangling her neck, and violently beating her to death.

Due to A's assault, B suffered severe injuries including traumatic subdural hemorrhage with a medical prognosis of six weeks and passed away after ten days of treatment in the hospital.

It was revealed that after starting a relationship with B, a high school classmate, around April 2022, A repeatedly committed acts of violence. Even after breaking up with B shortly before the incident, he called her 14 times and visited her residence when she did not answer.

Based on the autopsy results from the National Forensic Service and the attending physician's medical opinion, the prosecution judged that the victim died from systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by head trauma, establishing a causal relationship between the assault and death.

The parents of the victim in the so-called 'Geoje Dating Violence Death Case' are holding a press conference urging severe punishment for the perpetrator at the first trial.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

The 1st Criminal Division of the Tongyeong Branch of Changwon District Court, Gyeongnam (Judges Kim Young-seok, Jung Hyuk, Yoon Sung-geun) held the sentencing hearing on the 24th and heard the final arguments and statements regarding this case.

The defense attorney for A argued, "There were previous reports to investigative authorities about various acts of violence before this incident, and it is necessary to examine whether the two had completely severed their relationship before the incident," adding, "There is some disagreement between the parties regarding whether the defendant showed violent and obsessive behavior toward the victim until just before the incident."

He continued, "B sent messages demanding repayment of 10,000 won she lent to the defendant shortly before the incident, and they communicated. It is questionable whether the 14 calls made by the defendant constitute stalking under relevant precedents or legal principles," and said, "While it is difficult to deny causality based on the National Forensic Service autopsy results, there is suspicion that other factors combined to cause the victim's death."

"Even if causality and foreseeability of injury resulting in death are verified, systemic inflammatory response syndrome was not found in the first autopsy by the National Forensic Service, nor was it diagnosed by the hospital," he added. "Also, the recent dating violence death cases involved intentional murder, but this case differs in the nature of the crime."

The defense attorney said, "The defendant feels infinitely sorry and guilty and has made efforts to reach a settlement, but failed to open the victim's side's heart and receive forgiveness," and appealed, "The defendant's family and relatives are also suffering due to the media coverage of the case."

He further requested, "We hope the court will carefully consider and sentence the defendant with the spirit of administering a loving discipline."

A said, "I believe this incident is clearly my fault," adding, "I am very ashamed and deeply remorseful. Whatever the outcome, I will accept the punishment and live with a heart of lifelong reflection and apology," then bowed to the victim's side.

The parents of the victim in the so-called 'Geoje Dating Violence Death Case' are entering the courtroom building of Tongyeong Branch, Changwon District Court.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

The prosecution requested the court to sentence A, in his 20s, who was indicted on charges of injury resulting in death, excessive approach behavior (stalking), and trespassing, to 20 years in prison and to order related educational programs.

The prosecution stated, "This case is not a simple injury resulting in death case," and explained, "The defendant continuously assaulted the victim he was dating, and the victim, exposed to violence for a long time, could not properly resist. The defendant's oppression and obsession intensified, ultimately leading to death."

"According to the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission, the sentencing guideline for injury resulting in death is imprisonment for 3 to 5 years, and even considering cruelty, the sentence is increased to 4 to 8 years," the prosecution said, adding, "The previous practice overlooked the seriousness of dating violence and failed to impose heavy punishment, which may have allowed repeated crimes. We must deeply reflect on this and apply strict standards distinct from other violent crimes."

The prosecution emphasized, "The victim suffered extreme pain until her last breath and tried to escape from the defendant but ultimately died. Considering the circumstances of the incident, the degree of assault, the pain the victim felt, and the bereavement of the victim's family due to her death, a heavy sentence should be imposed."

The victim B's mother said, "Before our daughter died, I called the defendant's father to tell him our daughter's life was in danger, but he calmly asked, 'What did you say? Could you please explain in detail?'" She added, "He kept repeating the same thing, so I hung up. Since then, the defendant's side has not apologized or sent a single message up to this moment and did not even read the messages we sent."

"They say they tried to reach a settlement, but how can that be when there was not even a single message and suddenly they say let's settle?" she said. "After our daughter died, the defendant told a friend that it was not his fault and that he was annoyed, and that he was watching a drama at that time."

She also added, "Moreover, after our daughter died, he said he broke up with his girlfriend, would study hard, go to a better university, and meet a better girlfriend, showing no remorse at all."

"When our daughter sent a message demanding repayment of 10,000 won, the defendant replied, 'I don't know if you will have anything to repay after you die. I don't know if you can receive it.' After that, the assault occurred," she said, emphasizing again that the defendant showed no possibility of remorse. "After the assault, when our daughter asked if he hit her sincerely, he said he did."

"There were two mentions of settlement, but those were just to say in court that they tried to settle," she added.

The court said, "The trial has been ongoing for four months since the first hearing, and evidence investigation including text messages has been completed," adding, "We are aware of the great interest from various organizations nationwide and that related legislative petitions are underway. We will carefully deliberate and make a judgment."

The verdict for this case is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on November 14.