Assaulted and Poured Hot Water ... Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Singer and YouTuber Accused of Killing His Daughter

Prosecutors have sought the death penalty, the maximum sentence allowed by law, for a singer and YouTuber who stood trial on charges of abusing and neglecting his biological daughter, leading to her death.

The 1st Criminal Division of Jinju Branch, Changwon District Court (Chief Judge Lee Seungil) held the final hearing on this case on September 10.

At the hearing, prosecutors requested that the court sentence Mr. A, a singer and YouTuber in his 40s who was indicted and detained on murder and related charges, to death.

Prosecutors said, "Mr. A was deluded into believing that his biological daughter, Ms. B, had brought shame on him in society, and assaulted her several times with a wooden stick. He also poured hot water on Ms. B’s crown, inflicting second-degree burns on parts of her body." They further stated, "Ms. B pleaded for help several times, saying she could not breathe, but he neglected her requests."

Prosecutors added, "Mr. A committed a cruel and anti-humanitarian crime, yet showed no remorse throughout the year-long investigation and trial, instead denying the crime and responsibility. Considering his past record of violence against a former common-law partner, the risk of reoffending is high and permanent social isolation is necessary," explaining the reasoning behind their sentencing request.

Mr. A denied all charges.

Mr. A’s lawyer argued, "The indictment relies on the autopsy report, but other results could be possible depending on experimental or circumstantial evidence," and stated that, "it is difficult to accept these charges."

The lawyer also pleaded for leniency, saying, "Since Ms. B had previously reported domestic violence, if she had actually been severely assaulted, she would have tried to escape or report it. Although we acknowledge that missing the golden hour for hospital transfer led to her death, applying the murder charge is too harsh."

According to the court, Mr. A was indicted for assaulting his college-aged daughter Ms. B, who was on a leave of absence, pouring hot water on her resulting in scalp lacerations and burns, and leaving her in a car, leading to her death in September of last year while working in rental broadcasting equipment in Namhae County.

The verdict for Mr. A is scheduled to be delivered on October 8 in the same courtroom.

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