Prosecutors: "Brutal Crime Committed for Revenge"
The prosecution has demanded the death penalty, the highest sentence in court, for Seo Dong-ha, the suspect in the 'Gumi Stalking Murder Case,' who killed his ex-lover and attempted to kill the victim's mother who tried to intervene.
On the 7th, at the Daegu District Court Gimcheon Branch Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Choi Yeon-mi), during the sentencing hearing for Seo Dong-ha on charges including retaliatory murder, the prosecution requested the death penalty. Additionally, the prosecution petitioned the court to impose 30 years of electronic monitoring and probation orders.
The defendant Seo Dong-ha in the 'Gumi Stalking Murder Case,' who was sentenced to the maximum legal penalty of death. Photo by Yonhap News
Seo Dong-ha is accused of visiting an apartment in Gumi-si, Gyeongbuk, where his ex-lover, victim A, resided, on November 8 last year, killing her with a weapon, and attempting but failing to kill A's mother who was present at the scene.
At the time, he had secretly hidden in the apartment's underground parking lot, followed A's mother to the apartment entrance upon spotting her, and later met with A, engaged in an argument, and brutally murdered the victim with a weapon he had prepared in advance. This incident caused a stir as it became known as the 'Gumi Stalking Murder Case.'
According to police investigations, Seo Dong-ha had been in a relationship with the victim for about four months before breaking up. Afterwards, he continuously stalked A by visiting her home and workplace. When A finally reported him to the police, he harbored resentment and committed the premeditated crime.
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency decided to disclose Seo Dong-ha's identity considering the brutality of the crime, the severity of the victim's harm, and the preventive effect on stalking crimes.
At the trial, the prosecution explained the reason for demanding the death penalty, stating, "The defendant brutally committed the crime by stabbing the female victim 55 times for revenge," and "considering that he also attempted to kill the victim's mother who tried to stop him."
The sentencing hearing for Seo Dong-ha is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 11th of next month.
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