"Subway Cellphone Assault Woman Who Said 'I Have Police Backing' Faces Additional Assault Charges"

Additional Assault Charges Separate from This Case
Likely to Negatively Affect Sentencing in First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A woman in her 20s, who has been indicted for repeatedly hitting a man in his 60s on the head with a mobile phone inside a Seoul Subway Line 9 train, was found to have a prior record of assault.

Judge Jeon Beom-sik of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 8 Single Judge accepted an additional assault case involving Ms. A and consolidated the cases. Ms. A was indicted once more on assault charges besides the current case under trial as of the 10th. Accordingly, the court will hold an additional hearing for arguments on the consolidated assault charges at 10 a.m. on the 22nd.

The trial of Ms. A, who was indicted for repeatedly striking Mr. B, a man in his 60s, on the head with a mobile phone after a dispute inside the Line 9 subway heading to Gayang Station on March 16, was originally scheduled for a first trial verdict on the 8th.

However, the court postponed the verdict date and decided to resume arguments at the third hearing on the 22nd.

The resumption of arguments is a procedure that occurs when new claims or evidence arise after the conclusion of arguments, requiring further discussion. It can be decided ex officio by the court or upon request by the prosecution or defense.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 25th of last month, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Ms. A, who was indicted on charges of special injury and insult, to two years in prison.

Ms. A’s defense acknowledged all charges and asked the court to consider her remorse. The defense attorney appealed, saying, "Although no settlement or deposit has been made, the defendant expressed willingness to settle and made efforts, and please also take into account the need for mental treatment such as for depression."

However, the newly added assault charge is expected to work against Ms. A. This is because if the offender is a habitual criminal, a recidivist of a different type, or has prior convictions for the same type of offense that do not qualify as recidivism, the sentence is judged with increased severity.

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