ENTERTAINMENT
Don Spike probation, dismissal of arrest for Yoo Ah-in
On this day, Seoul Central District Court's chief judge Lee Min-soo in charge of warrants questioned the suspect before arresting Yoo Ah-in (substantial review of the warrant) and said, "It is difficult to conclude that the suspect is likely to destroy evidence or flee beyond the scope of exercising the right to defend." The warrant was dismissed, saying, “It is difficult to acknowledge the reason and necessity of arrest at this stage.”
It is necessary for the court to respect the suspect's right to defend, but during the police investigation that day, Yoo Ah-in stated that he lived in Itaewon-dong, but his actual residence was in Hannam-dong. The fact that the place of residence is not clear is a reason for fear of escape. However, the court saw that there was no risk of evidence destruction or escape. Of course, there is a possibility that Yoo Ah-in will be sentenced to prison in the first trial, but it is true that he relieved a considerable amount of psychological burden during the first trial.
Yoo Ah-in is accused of using a total of 5 types of drugs. In February, the police received the results of an analysis from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation that found four types of narcotic components, including hemp, propofol, cocaine, and ketamine, in Yoo Ah-in's hair and urine. Circumstances of prescriptions for non-medical purposes were captured.
As the arrest warrant for Yoo Ah-in was dismissed on this day, the voice of criticism against the court is getting louder. This is because there are many points out that the court recently gave a somewhat soft punishment to drug cases in the entertainment industry. For example, composer and broadcaster Don Spike was arrested and indicted in October of last year on charges of administering methamphetamine 14 times. He is also accused of passing methamphetamine and ecstasy to others. However, the first trial sentenced him to 3 years in prison and 5 years of probation, and in fact, Don Spike made the most desired conclusion. The court judged that the possibility of recidivism was not high. It was a first-time offender, but it was pointed out inside and outside the legal community that the punishment was not as weak as he had recommended drugs to others. The prosecution also appealed to the same effect, and the second trial is scheduled for the 15th of next month.
