20s Biological Father Who Killed 2-Week-Old Son Claims "Not Intentional" in Appeal Trial

Parents who abused and killed their 2-week-old son.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The biological father who threw and assaulted his two-week-old son, causing his death, denied his charges again in the second trial, claiming "there was no intent."

On the 8th, during the appeal trial of the biological father A (24) and biological mother B (22) held at the Jeonju Division of the Gwangju High Court Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Seongju Kim), A’s defense attorney argued, "The defendant could not have foreseen that the victim would die." He further stated, "The murder charge for neglecting the victim’s critical condition, which led to death, should be acquitted," and "Even if the court recognizes intent to murder, the original sentence is excessively harsh."

Meanwhile, B’s defense attorney said, "The defendant admits all charges," but added, "She was mentally exhausted as she had no time to recover after delivering the victim by cesarean section." He also appealed, "Please consider that B is a recipient of basic livelihood security and lives with help from those around her."

Earlier, A and B were indicted on charges of throwing their two-week-old son onto a bed and hitting his face, thighs, and soles with their palms at an officetel in Iksan City on February 9, causing his death. Investigations revealed that they repeatedly assaulted the child more than seven times during the caregiving process, and the day before the child’s death, they invited acquaintances to their home and behaved nonchalantly while drinking and eating meat.

In the first trial, A was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder and child abuse, and B was sentenced to 7 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death and child abuse. The first trial court stated, "Their inhumane and grotesque crimes are unacceptable under any circumstances," and "Even considering favorable sentencing factors such as the defendants having no prior criminal records, severe punishment is unavoidable."

Meanwhile, the sentencing hearing for the two is scheduled to be held on November 3.

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