The teacher who killed Kim Ha-neul is to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Myung Jae-wan (48), a teacher accused of murdering Kim Ha-neul with a weapon at an elementary school in Daejeon, is set to receive a psychiatric evaluation. The court approved the request for a psychiatric examination considering the seriousness of the crime and the necessity for a careful sentencing review.
On the 30th of last month, the 12th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (Judge Kim Byung-man) announced that it had accepted the defense's request for a psychiatric evaluation during Myung's trial, who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Crimes (such as abduction and inducement for profit).
Myung's attorney argued, "The defendant attacked a fellow teacher without any reason prior to the murder of Ha-neul," and added, "This behavior is not typical for the defendant, which must be considered when evaluating his mental state." The lawyer requested the psychiatric evaluation to demonstrate the impact of Myung's mental illness on his actions through expert assessment.
Court's ruling and prosecution's counterargument.
The prosecution contended that Myung meticulously planned the crime, carefully selecting the method and location, indicating that a psychiatric evaluation was unnecessary. However, the court determined that "This case involves the most severe legal punishment defined in the criminal law, necessitating a careful sentencing review," and concluded that a psychiatric evaluation was required.
The court further explained, "Since the prosecution's request for a composite command is also being processed, it is essential to closely examine the risk of reoffending."
According to the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Crimes, the legal punishment for abducting or inducing a minor under the age of 13 and killing them is limited to "death" or "life imprisonment."
Additionally, the court stated, "The results of the psychiatric evaluation will not be attributed to the court," and added, "We will gather sufficient materials and consider the views of both parties and the bereaved family to the greatest extent possible."
Brutal crime and subsequent measures.
Meanwhile, Myung is alleged to have lured Kim Ha-neul to an audiovisual room after she finished her after-school program on February 10 and killed her with a knife he had purchased himself.
The prosecution claims that the reason Myung selected the audiovisual room as the crime scene was "because it is well soundproofed."
In April, the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education held a disciplinary committee for Myung and decided to dismiss him.
While Myung did not file any significant objections to the dismissal decision, it has been reported that he submitted a total of 50 letters of remorse since the trial proceedings began in March.
Image source: Teacher Myung Jae-wan who killed elementary school student / Daejeon Police Agency, Channel A on-site video, Late Kim Ha-neul / News1
