A mental evaluation will be conducted again for Myung Jae-wan (48), who has been indicted on charges of luring and murdering Kim Ha-neul (8) at an elementary school in Daejeon where he worked.
The 12th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (presiding Judge Kim Byeong-man) accepted the request for a mental evaluation from Myung's side and decided to conduct it during the second trial session on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (commercial theft and luring) held on the 30th.
Myung's side stated, "We are not claiming that he was in a state of mental incompetence or seeking a lighter sentence, but acknowledged that even if the crime was planned and tools were prepared in advance, cases have recognized that lack of judgment due to impairment can be a contributing factor."
In response, the prosecution emphasized that "there are cases where claims of mental incompetence have been rejected, considering factors such as meticulous planning in similar incidents and the absence of psychological distortion," adding that during the investigation, criminal psychology experts and psychiatrists provided opinions stating that it did not fit the criteria for mental disorder.
However, the court stated, "This is the most serious case in terms of legal penalties, so a careful judgment is necessary," and approved the mental evaluation. This may also impact the decision on whether to impose an electronic ankle monitor.
Myung has submitted more than 50 letters of remorse and is currently represented by a law firm after dismissing court-appointed counsel. Previously, after the first trial, he also submitted a statement acknowledging that the possibility of mental incompetence could not be ruled out. The witness examination for the victim's family was conducted privately on that day.
Meanwhile, Myung is accused of luring the victim to a storage room in the audiovisual room of an elementary school in Seo-gu, Daejeon, on Feb. 10, stabbing him multiple times with a weapon, resulting in the child's death. It has also been revealed that prior to the crime, he threatened a fellow teacher and damaged school property.
The victim's attorney stated, "The claim of mental incompetence is ultimately an attempt to seek a lesser sentence," adding, "The family desires the death penalty."