TOKYO (TR) – A South Korean student on trial in an attack with a hammer that injured eight fellow students at Hosei University earlier this year told a court here on Friday that she was bullied and apologized for the incident.
At the opening the trial at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court, Yoo Ju-hyeon admitted to the allegations, reports TBS News (Jan. 11).
Yoo is accused of assaulting eight university students, both male and female, with a hammer in a classroom at the Tama Campus of Hosei University in Machida City in January.
The victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries to their heads.
As the incident unfolded, other students subdued Yoo as she swung the hammer inside the building, police said previously.
“You stink”
In its opening statement, the prosecution pointed out, “After the crime, the defendant looked satisfied when she saw the blood in the classroom and said, ‘It’s great that they’re bleeding.'”
When asked about her motive during subsequent questioning, Yoo said, “I was being bullied. People would tell me things like, ‘You stink’ and ‘Go back to Korea.’ I thought I had no choice but to do it to stop the bullying.”
The prosecution is seeking a three-year prison sentence for Yoo. “This was an extremely selfish and unjustified act, carried out to vent frustration. It has no choice but to be described as a despicable crime,” the prosecution said.
On the other hand, the defense asked for a suspended sentence, saying that settlements had already been reached with seven of the eight victims.
At the end of the hearing, Yoo apologized, “The victims are not to blame. I am sorry,” she said.
The verdict is scheduled to be handed down on June 27.
