'Sports Center Involved in "Stick Murder" Claims Lack of Causality with Death'

Denial of Charges in First Trial
Family and Acquaintances Curse in Courtroom

The representative of a children's sports center, accused of killing an employee by damaging their organs with a 70cm rod, is being transferred to the prosecution at Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The representative of a children's sports center, accused of stabbing an employee to death with a stick while intoxicated, claimed in the first trial that "the victim's death resulted from the police's inadequate initial response."

The defense attorney for the sports center representative, Han Mo (40), stated at the first hearing of the case held on the afternoon of the 10th at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Andongbeom), "We only acknowledge the acts mentioned in the prosecution's charges." The attorney argued, "There is no causal relationship between the victim's death and the defendant's actions," and added, "If the police had taken appropriate measures, the victim's death could have been prevented."

The defense also requested the court to summon the police officers who responded to the scene as witnesses. The court accepted the defense's request, and accordingly, witness examinations of the police officers who arrived at the scene will be conducted at the next hearing. The second hearing for Han is scheduled for the afternoon of the 7th of next month.

Earlier, Han was indicted on charges of murder for repeatedly assaulting the victim while drinking together around December 30 last year and pushing a sports stick into the victim's buttocks, causing death. Han, who appeared in court that day, kept his head bowed throughout the trial. During the trial, bereaved family members and acquaintances shouted insults such as "Show your face" at Han, prompting court security officers to intervene.

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