'Mother accused of killing 100kg son acquitted... Court cites "possibility of third-party crime"'

Trial of elderly mother who killed her son (CG) [Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] A woman in her 70s who was accused of strangling her robust son, who weighed over 100 kg, to death was acquitted. Although the mother confessed to the crime, the court raised the possibility of a third party's involvement and ruled accordingly.

The Criminal Division 15 of Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Pyo Geukchang) delivered a verdict of not guilty on the 3rd for A (76, female), who was indicted and detained on charges of murder.

The court stated, "The only direct evidence is the defendant's and her daughter's statements that she hit her son with a soju bottle and strangled him to death," adding, "Confessions and statements must be free from reasonable doubt to be considered evidence of guilt. Since this incident occurred within the family, there is a possibility that the defendant gave false testimony under the pretext of protecting her family."

Furthermore, the court pointed out that A's motive for murder was unclear, her statements to the investigation agency and in court were repeatedly changed, and there were inconsistencies between her statements and the scene, indicating a lack of truthfulness and rationality in A's testimony. The court judged, "It cannot be ruled out that a third party was present at the crime scene."

The court explained, "The defendant testified that the victim (her son) was drunk, rambling, and asking for more alcohol, which made her angry and led to the crime, and that when she strangled him, the victim did not say anything and remained still," adding, "However, it is questionable whether the defendant could have intended to strangle a man weighing 102 kg to death with a towel commonly used at home, measuring 75 cm in length and 40 cm in width, and actually carried out the murder."

Regarding the motive for the murder, the court also judged, "The victim had only been drinking for about 10 months to a year, and he had quit smoking two months before his death," adding, "At the time of the quarrel with his daughter before his death, the reason for the quarrel was not solely the victim's fault, and there was no major conflict with the mother or other family members. The victim's misbehavior was not enough to provoke the defendant to the extent of wanting to kill."

The court further stated, "The defendant initially testified that the crime occurred while the victim was drinking, but later changed her statement to say that the drinking table had been cleared. Considering the clumsiness of the reenactment, it is possible that she did not testify based on her actual experience," adding, "The credibility of some of the defendant's daughter's statements, that the defendant came home drunk, quarreled with her older brother over alcohol and family issues, and took her two children to her husband's house, is also doubtful."

A was indicted and detained on charges of hitting her son B (51) on the head with a liquor bottle and strangling him to death at her home in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, at 0:56 a.m. on April 20 this year.

B was transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment but died that morning. A directly reported to 112 immediately after the crime, saying, "I strangled my son's neck," and was arrested on the spot by the responding police.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.