A Man in His 40s Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Killing Friend in Taxi Over Smoking Dispute

Court. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Min Jun-young, Intern Reporter] A man in his 40s who fatally beat a friend during an argument over smoking in a taxi has been sentenced to a heavy prison term.

The Gwangju District Court's 11th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Jeong Ji-seon) announced on the 21st that A (42), who was tried on charges of injury resulting in death, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

The court reprimanded, "The defendant beat the victim to death during a dispute over smoking. Considering the motive and circumstances of the crime, the nature of the offense is very serious."

A was previously indicted for assaulting and causing the death of his friend B (42) around 12:16 a.m. on May 9 on a road in Seo-gu, Gwangju, while riding in a taxi together.

It was investigated that A committed the crime after an argument with B, with whom he had been drinking, over smoking inside the taxi.

At the time, B suffered severe head injuries and was transported to the hospital but ultimately died.

The police, responding to the report, secured CCTV footage and other evidence to apprehend A.

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