[Deathpenalty]death penalty news---worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

June 10


SOUTH KOREA:

Death penalty upheld in serial killer verdict


Upholding a lower court ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed the death
sentence on Yoo Yeong-cheol, convicted of killing 20 people.

Mr. Yoo, 35, was arrested July 15 last year and tried and found guilty of
killing elderly Seoul residents and women involved in the sex trade
between September 2003 to July last year. He was also convicted of burying
11 bodies.

After the lower court sentenced Mr. Yoo to death, the prosecution
appealed, claiming he was responsible for an unsolved murder in February
last year in Seoul. Mr. Yoo claimed he killed a 24-year-old woman in small
ally in Dongdaemun. During his trial, however, he retracted his statement.

In yesterday's ruling, the Supreme Court ended the prosecution's appeal.
With the verdict upheld, 60 convicts in Korea are awaiting execution.

(source: Joong Ang Daily)