"She Often Said She Was Raised by a Stepmother and Ignored" Wife Sentenced to 10 Years for Killing Husband in His 40s

Defendant "Frequently Mentions Stepmother in Crime"
Court "Victim's Fault Not Strong"

On the 20th, the Daejeon High Court dismissed the appeal of A (44), who was arrested and indicted on charges of murdering her husband, in the appellate trial. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A woman in her 40s who stabbed her husband to death with a weapon was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the appellate court, following the first trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of Daejeon High Court (Chief Judge Lee Jun-myung) dismissed the appeal of A (44), who was indicted and detained on charges of killing her husband, on the 20th.

A stabbed her husband B (47) with a weapon while drinking together at their home in Gyeryong-si, Chungnam Province, on the afternoon of May 18.

In court, A tearfully said, "My husband repeatedly said things that seemed to belittle me," and added, "I told him not to mention that I was raised by a stepmother, but he kept saying stepmother, stepmother, stepmother."

Despite A’s request not to bring up the stepmother issue, B mocked and teased her for about 30 minutes, saying things like "You grew up under a stepmother and were not loved," and "You treat your children like a stepmother," which eventually led A to commit the crime with a weapon from the kitchen.

Earlier, the Nonsan Branch of Daejeon District Court, which handled the first trial, sentenced A to 10 years in prison, stating that there was intent to kill.

In response, A appealed, claiming she was intoxicated and mentally impaired. She also argued during the trial that she wielded the weapon impulsively and was in a state of diminished mental capacity.

However, the appellate court found no problem with the original judgment.

The appellate court pointed out that before the crime, A showed clear cognitive ability by recording a video on her phone while tidying up the house, told her children who witnessed the crime, "I didn’t intend this. Bring me a wet tissue," and clearly testified to the police at the scene, supporting the first trial’s claim that intent to kill was proven.

The court stated, "Although the victim continuously mocked A, it cannot be considered a strong mitigating factor. The original judgment is justified."

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