The trial in the "yeosu, south jeolla infant abuse murder case," which sparked national outrage over the abuse of a 4-month-old baby, appears likely to wrap up soon. Attention is focusing on the prosecution's sentencing recommendation.
According to the Suncheon branch of the Gwangju District Court on the 16th, Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Yong-gyu, Director General) will hold a closing hearing on the 26th for A, a woman in her 30s and the child's biological mother, who has been indicted and detained on charges of abusing her 4-month-old son and causing his death (child abuse murder under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Child Abuse Crimes).
A's husband, B, is also set to stand trial. B was indicted and detained on charges of neglecting the abuse and threatening a witness in the case (violations of the Child Welfare Act, among others).
To ensure a smooth proceeding and maintain order in the courtroom, the court will distribute gallery tickets on a first-come, first-served basis to 50 members of the public and allow them to enter.
At the hearing that day, barring any special developments, the prosecution's sentencing recommendation is expected to proceed, concluding the pre-sentencing phase of the trial. After SBS's "Unanswered Questions" partially aired scenes of the abuse, more than 5,500 petitions calling for severe punishment were submitted.
A was indicted on charges of assaulting her son at her home in Yeosu at about 11:43 a.m. on Oct. 22 last year and leaving him in a baby bathtub with the shower running, causing his death.
Prosecutors conducted supplemental investigations, including ▲ searches and seizures of the residence and hospital ▲ analysis of about 4,800 "home cam" videos ▲ review of the victim child's medical records. When it was revealed that A had indiscriminately assaulted her son, prosecutors charged her with child abuse murder rather than child abuse resulting in death.