A former organized crime member turned combat sports fighter and three YouTubers have been referred to prosecutors after the fighter choked a civilian guest unconscious during a YouTube livestream, leaving the victim with injuries requiring 12 weeks of recovery. A lawyer said a prison sentence remains likely even if the suspect reached a settlement with the victim.
The Incheon Seobu Police Station referred the fighter, identified only as A, to the Incheon Prosecutors Office on Monday on charges of bodily injury, and referred three YouTubers on charges of aiding and abetting assault and joint coercion. All four were referred without detention.
The group is accused of choking and injuring a male guest in his 20s during a YouTube broadcast at an officetel in Cheongna-dong, Seohaegu, Incheon, at around 4 a.m. on Sept. 6.
The guest lost consciousness and fell, striking his head hard against the floor. He was later diagnosed with injuries requiring 12 weeks of recovery and reportedly experienced partial paralysis in parts of his body.
The fighter and the others claimed the incident was staged according to a pre-agreed script, but police determined that intent to cause bodily harm was established. Investigators found that when the frightened guest hesitated to follow the scripted confrontation, the YouTubers present pressured and coerced him into going through with it.
Legal experts say a custodial sentence is highly probable. Attorney Jo Gi-hyeon said in a recent YouTube video that "force was used beyond what had originally been agreed upon, and the victim was reluctant and tried to refuse filming, but was coerced into it through intimidation and pressure, resulting in serious injuries requiring 12 weeks of recovery."
"Even though there was a script, and even if a settlement was reached with the victim afterward, this is not something that can simply be overlooked — that is why the case was referred," Jo added.
On the likely sentence, Jo said, "Because a settlement was reached with the victim, the sentence will probably be shorter than the four years in prison I initially projected," but predicted "a custodial sentence of at least one year will be handed down, whether under the charge of bodily injury or serious bodily injury."
Meanwhile, A was expelled from the mixed martial arts organization to which the fighter belonged after the incident, citing a violation of the conduct standards policy.
bbo@heraldcorp.com
