U.S. soldier convicted of rape, Kevin Lee Flippin, tells a Korean court ‘I think 10 years is a little too much’

Published On: Thu, Jan 5th, 2012

U.S. soldier convicted of rape, Kevin Lee Flippin, tells a Korean court ‘I think 10 years is a little too much’

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A US soldier stationed in Korea who was convicted of raping a 17-year-old last September, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on November 1.

Now, 21-year-old Pvt. Kevin Lee Flippin appeared before an appeals court Thursday asking that his 10-year prison sentence be reduced saying “I think 10 years is a little too much”.

On Sept 24, 2011, was sentenced, according to the Judge, for “sadistically and pervertedly” raping a 17-year-old South Korean girl.

According to a Stars and Stripes report:

During his trial, he admitted raping and robbing the girl in a dormitory-style apartment building near the base. A closed-circuit video introduced as evidence in the case showed Flippin trying to open several doors before entering the victim’s unlocked room.

Once inside, according to court testimony, he repeatedly raped and sodomized the victim over the course of four hours.

During that time, he also punched and slapped the victim in the face, stole a small amount of money from her wallet, dragged her across the room, threatened her with a knife and pair of scissors, and burned her breast with a lighter, among other things, according to court records and testimony.

After sobering up, Flippin begged for forgiveness before leaving the victim’s room, according to testimony.

The rape triggered anti-American protests on the Korean peninsula and caused the institution of a peninsula-wide curfew for US military members.

Flippin has taken full responsibility for his actions and has apologized. His attorney, Noh Sucheol said, Flippin “acted out of impulse” while drunk, and he “could not control [his] urge to hurt such a young girl.”

The Seoul High Court panel said it would rule on Flippin’s request Jan 19.