A, who was sent to trial on charges of breaking into the home of singer and actress Nana, a former member of the group After School, and carrying out a robbery, denied all charges at his first hearing. However, after hearing A's claims, the court instead questioned the defendant and strongly criticized him.
On the 20th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Uijeongbu District Court Namyangju Branch (Director General Kim Guk-sik) held the first hearing for A, who was detained and indicted on charges of robbery and injury.
A is accused of last November entering Nana's home with a weapon, threatening Nana and her mother while demanding money and being subdued, leaving the attempt incomplete. In the process, Nana and her mother suffered physical injuries. A also suffered a laceration to the jaw during the struggle, but the police judged Nana's side acted in self-defense and did not book her.
Nevertheless, A later filed a complaint accusing Nana of attempted murder and special injury, saying "Nana used excessive force during the subduing." In response, the Guri Police Station in Gyeonggi reviewed the case and decided not to prosecute Nana, finding no charges.
At the hearing, the prosecution explained the charges, saying, "A entered the victim's residence carrying a weapon, threatened and demanded money, and in the process caused injury." The defense, however, said, "We admit the trespass but did not have the intent to commit robbery; it was a simple theft," and argued, "We did not strangle or assault Nana's mother, and on the contrary I was one-sidedly beaten by Nana."
The defense also argued, "Nana's 33-day recovery injury is not a defensive mark but a wound inflicted as the aggressor," and requested, "Please ask the National Forensic Service to perform an analysis to see whether the defendant's fingerprints are on the seized weapon and the weapon's case."
A spoke directly, saying, "In an economically difficult situation, I learned through an internet search that many wealthy people, including entertainers, live in Acheon-dong," but added, "I did not bring a weapon, and I never strangled Nana's mother. Startled, I grabbed Nana's mother's shoulder to calm her after she pushed and screamed." He went on, "After the mother had calmed down, suddenly Nana ran out and swung a weapon, and a scuffle ensued, but I was in a resisting position."
In response, the court strongly questioned A when he argued that Nana and her mother's actions were excessive defense, asking, "Putting yourself in the other person's shoes, if someone breaks into your house and does that, should you do nothing and just stay still?" The court's remark, made in the context of a defendant accused of robbery claiming to be the victim, is interpreted as clearly outlining the standard for self-defense.<
[Photo] 'OSEN DB'
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