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This article is part of our coverage of Former NCT Taeil's Sex Crime Scandal. You can read more and view the entire timeline here.
Former NCT member Taeil has asked the court for leniency in his aggravated rape case.
The Seoul Central District Court held the first trial against three defendants, including Taeil, on charges of aggravated rape on June 18. There, prosecution demanded a seven year prison sentence for Taeil for his crimes.
Prosecution also shared details related to the case, including the timing of the case, the defendants’ attempt to hide the case, and the nationality of the victim.
During the trial, Taeil and his legal counsel asked for leniency from the court, citing an agreement made with the victim.
Taeil submit a statement of self-surrender to the police. He also went through the difficult process of reaching an agreement with the victim, who is Chinese, and even received a letter from the victim stating she did not want further punishment levied.
— Taeil’s legal counsel
However, the prosecution was not buying Taeil’s defense, claiming that the validity of Taeil’s statement of self-surrender was questionable at best, wondering whether Taeil’s statement submission qualifies as genuinely surrendering to the police.
Taeil is currently being investigated without detention, as the court determined that due to the three defendants admitting to their crimes, they were unlikely to flee or destroy evidence.
