ANSAN, South Korea — The prosecution has demanded the death penalty for Cha Cheol-nam (56), an ethnic Chinese national, who is accused of killing two of his compatriots and seriously injuring two South Korean citizens in a brutal, premeditated crime spree in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.
During the closing arguments held on October 15 at the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Court, the prosecution presented a compelling case for capital punishment against Cha, who faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and theft.
'Meticulously Planned and Indiscriminate' Murders
The prosecution argued that Cha’s actions were the result of meticulous planning, stating, "The defendant prepared the murder weapons and even practiced the homicides in advance. This was a thoroughly premeditated crime that constitutes virtually indiscriminate murder driven by a temporary fit of rage." The prosecution also pointed out that Cha had failed to reach any settlement with the victims or their families, adding weight to their request for the ultimate sentence.
Cha Cheol-nam’s lawyer, while acknowledging the gravity of the offenses, stated in his defense that "the defendant has nothing to say to the bereaved families whose lives were taken by his crime, nor to the victims who are still suffering physical and psychological distress from the attempted murders. He fully recognizes the social responsibility he must bear."
Despite the acknowledgment of responsibility for the murders, Cha, in his final statement, continued to deny the charges of attempted murder against the two South Korean victims. "I could have killed them easily, but I had no intention of committing murder," he claimed.
Timeline of a Two-Day Crime Spree
The horrific events unfolded over two days in May. Cha is accused of first murdering two ethnic Chinese brothers in Siheung's Jeongwang-dong area on May 17. The first victim, a Chinese man in his 50s and his acquaintance, was allegedly killed with a blunt object at Cha's own residence between 4 and 5 p.m. Cha then reportedly proceeded to the victim's brother's house nearby and murdered him as well.
The violence did not end there. Two days later, on May 19, Cha allegedly attacked two South Korean citizens. Around 9:34 a.m., he used a knife to stab a female convenience store owner in her 60s near his home. Later that afternoon, at about 1:21 p.m., he attacked his building's landlord, a man in his 70s, at a nearby public park, also using a knife. Cha was eventually apprehended by police several hours after the final attack.
The severity of the crimes, which involved both blunt force and sharp weapons against four individuals, highlights the indiscriminate and brutal nature of the attacks.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on November 12 at 10:00 a.m., where the court will deliver its final verdict on the highly charged case.
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