'Gwanak-gu Mother and Child Murder' Husband Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in Second Trial... "No Risk of Recidivism" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] A man accused of killing his wife and 6-year-old son in a multi-family house in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, was sentenced to life imprisonment again in the appellate court.

The Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Sanghoon Ham) on the 29th sentenced Cho Mo (42), who was tried on charges including murder, to life imprisonment, the same as the original sentence. The court stated, "The original court's judgment is reasonable," and added, "The defendant has no prior criminal record, and the life sentence alone is sufficient to prevent recidivism."

Cho was arrested and indicted last August on charges of killing his wife and son with a weapon in a multi-family house in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Since no clear evidence such as the murder weapon or CCTV was found at the scene, the police identified Cho as the perpetrator based on on-site forensic data and expert analysis from the National Forensic Service and transferred the case to the prosecution. This case, known as the 'Gwanak-gu mother and son murder case,' became widely known after being featured on SBS's "Unanswered Questions."

From the investigation stage, Cho fully denied the charges, saying, "I am a father who also wants to catch the person who killed my wife and child." In court, the estimated time of death based on the contents of the victims' stomachs was a major point of contention. However, the first trial court judged that Cho killed his wife and son according to a meticulous plan and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The appellate court also judged, "The evidence of the estimated time of death based on the stomach contents has forensic credibility," and "The estimated time of death generally coincides with the time the defendant was at home." The court concluded, "There is no possibility of a third party's intrusion crime, and if the victims died while with the defendant, then ultimately the defendant is the perpetrator."

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