U.S. Soldier In Seoul Guilty Of Murder

SEOUL, South Korea - In a raucous courtroom, a three-judge panel today convicted a U.S. soldier of murdering a Korean prostitute and sentenced him to life in prison.

In sentencing Pvt. Kenneth L. Markle III, 20, of Keyser, W. Va., presiding Seoul District Court Judge Byon Dong-gul said "the evidence showed the defendant committed a crime."

Markle's father said the verdict would be appealed.

About 200 students surged toward the front of the courtroom shouting "Kill Markle!" Markle, his parents and the judges left by a side door.

Outside the courthouse, 800 other students chanted anti-American slogans, waved banners and gave speeches accusing the prosecution of protecting Markle by not demanding the death penalty.

Markle was charged with murdering Yun Kum-i, 26, a prostitute, at her rented room in Tongduchon, 30 miles north of Seoul.

The case has revived anti-American sentiment among Koreans who demand the withdrawal of the 36,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Murder is relatively uncommon in South Korea, where the maximum penalty for it is death by hanging or firing squad.

Markle is the second U.S. soldier to be sentenced to life in prison for murder this year. Master Sgt. Almy J. O'Neal Jr., 37, of Franklin, Va., was convicted in February of premeditated murder in the fatal shooting of his Korean-born wife.