Shaman A Claims "I Frequently Lose My Memory"
Also Threatened, "I Will Kill Everyone Around You"
A man in his 20s, identified as A, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after luring a minor to a motel under the pretense of performing an exorcism and sexually assaulting them. Although A pleaded for leniency, claiming that he realized what he had done only after regaining consciousness following the ritual, he is also accused of threatening to send a video of the assault to the victim's friends and family if the victim disobeyed him.
On July 17, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office requested the court to sentence A, who is in his 20s and has been indicted and detained on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (rape), to seven years in prison during the final hearing held at the Jeju District Court Criminal Division 2 (presiding judge Lim Jaenam).
A is accused of luring the underage victim, whom he met through a chat application, to a motel on February 1 by claiming he would perform an exorcism, and then forcibly sexually assaulting the victim despite their resistance. He is also accused of filming the assault and threatening to send the video to the victim's parents and friends if the victim did not comply with his demands.
Additionally, A reportedly took the victim to another motel on the same day, detained the victim, and sexually assaulted them again. It was also revealed that on February 3, two days after the crime, A contacted the victim and threatened them by saying, "I will kill everyone around you."
On this day, A's attorney stated, "The defendant admits to the crime and is sincerely remorseful," adding, "He has no prior criminal record, and the degree of threat was minor. We ask the court to consider these factors in sentencing."
A pleaded, "I have suffered from health issues throughout my life, often coughing up blood or losing my memory for no reason. At the time, I only realized what I had done after regaining consciousness following the exorcism ritual," and added, "I will seek treatment to ensure that this never happens again."
The sentencing for A is scheduled to take place at around 10 a.m. on August 28.
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