A group that tried to kidnap and kill a famous YouTuber admitted most of the charges at its first trial.
According to legal sources on the 15th, the attorney for A (25), a used-car dealer indicted on charges including attempted robbery-murder, said at the first trial held before the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 13 (presiding judge Kim Ki-poong) that "the basics (the charges) are largely acknowledged."
The attorney for acquaintance B (23), who was indicted on the same charges, also said, "The defendant has confessed to everything and acknowledges the indictment," adding, "We will submit the details in writing." The attorney for C (36), who was indicted on charges including aiding and abetting robbery causing injury, likewise said the defense "acknowledges the indictment."
They were indicted for attempting to kidnap and kill D, a famous YouTuber with 1 million subscribers. Specifically, A and B was found to have lured D to the parking lot of the apartment where D lives on Oct. 26 and struck D with a blunt object about 10 times, attempting to kill D.
At the time, they put D in a vehicle and drove to a cemetery parking lot in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province, about 200 kilometers away, but were arrested in the act by police who responded to a report. C is accused of providing a vehicle and tools for the crime, including duct tape, at the time of D's kidnapping.
A was found to have planned the crime to take D's money and kill D after D, who had signed a contract for a luxury SUV, asked for the deposit back. D suffered severe beatings and was seriously injured at the time, but D's life was not in danger, according to reports.
Prosecutors said, "We will do our best to maintain the indictment so that sentences commensurate with the defendants' crimes can be handed down," adding, "We will continue to strictly crack down on violent crimes that threaten public safety through proactive supplemental investigations."
Their second hearing is scheduled for the morning of the 23rd of next month.