Prosecution: "Evidence of Goyujeong's Stepson Murder Is Clear, but the First Trial Court Rejected It"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The second trial for Go Yoo-jeong, who is accused of murdering her ex-husband and stepson, has begun. From the first trial, the prosecution and Go’s side engaged in fierce courtroom battles over the 'stepson murder' charge, for which she was acquitted in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Jeju Branch of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judge Wang Jeong-ok) held the first appeal hearing for Go on the 22nd at 10 a.m.

On this day, the prosecution explained the reasons for the appeal and sharply criticized the first trial’s verdict.

The prosecution stated, "The cause of death of the victim child was 'asphyxiation due to mechanical compression,' which is decisive evidence (smoking gun) that someone intentionally killed the victim," and added, "The first trial court rejected important key evidence by citing a vague possibility that 'it cannot be completely ruled out that the victim child died from being pressed by the father’s leg or torso."

They continued, "The first trial court mentioned that the victim’s physique was smaller compared to peers and the possibility of side effects from cold medicine taken at the time, but the victim child’s age at the time of the incident was 4.35 years, not 6 years, which is within the normal range. Moreover, there are no cases worldwide of asphyxiation caused by cold medicine, yet the court made a judgment based on abstract possibilities without medical grounds."

Additionally, the prosecution pointed out, "It appears that the court judged Go as having killed only her ex-husband and lowered the sentencing standard from 'extreme disregard for human life murder' to 'murder with blameworthy motive.' We cannot accept that extreme disregard for human life murder is divided simply by an arithmetic standard. The court must consider the victim’s family’s position demanding the death penalty for the defendant," emphasizing this point.

In response, Go’s side denied the charge of murdering her stepson and requested the court to dismiss the prosecution’s appeal. They also argued, as in the first trial, that the killing of the ex-husband was accidental.

Go was brought to trial last May on charges of murdering her ex-husband Kang Mo and mutilating and abandoning the body. Subsequently, she was additionally indicted for murdering her stepson. The first trial court acquitted her of the stepson murder charge, stating, "The prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to find guilt."

The second appeal trial will be held on the 20th of next month at 2 p.m.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.