"Neighbor Caused Another Commotion" After 6 Months of Sleep Disorder, Wielded Rubber Mallet

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] A man suffering from sleep disorders due to repeated noise from his next-door neighbor over six months was sentenced to two years in prison with a three-year probation after swinging a blunt weapon at the neighbor, a man in his 50s.

On the 4th, the Chuncheon District Court, based on the jury's verdict, sentenced Kim (24), who was charged with attempted murder, to two years in prison with a three-year probation.

At around 2 a.m. on September 8 last year, Kim, who was awakened by noise caused by the intoxicated man in his 50s next door, sent a message to the owner of the one-room building along with a photo of the wide-open door of the neighbor's room, saying, "The man next door is causing a ruckus again."

After that, Kim took a rubber hammer and work gloves from the entrance and entered the neighbor's room, swinging the blunt weapon several times at the man's head and back.

The victim, who collapsed bleeding, called 119, and Kim, who fled after the crime, threw the hammer into a nearby stream and then surrendered to the police.

Kim, who was arrested and indicted on charges of attempted murder and special trespassing, denied the attempted murder charge and requested a trial by jury.

According to the defense attorney, Kim lost his younger sister in a traffic accident during childhood and lived in a one-room operated by a middle school friend's mother due to family discord. While serving in the military, his grandmother collapsed, and he had to raise money for nursing hospital bills, placing him in a very psychologically unstable situation.

Moreover, after the victim moved in next door in December 2019, Kim suffered from sleep disorders including seizures during sleep due to repeated living noises such as severe swearing, loud shouting, slamming of the front door, and sounds of men and women fighting for six months starting from March the following year.

Kim's side argued that the crime was committed impulsively based on sleep disorders and psychological instability, stating, "I hit him in a moment of anger but had no intention to kill," denying the attempted murder charge.

On the other hand, the prosecution rebutted, citing objective evidence such as the hammer being swung to the extent that blood was splattered at the crime scene, the victim's left head being severely fractured, and brain hemorrhage indicating a high possibility of death, asserting that there was sufficient intent to kill.

The prosecution also emphasized that the rubber hammer used as the weapon was strong enough to repair iron bars, so Kim could not have failed to recognize that swinging the hammer could kill a person.

The defense attorney appealed for leniency, citing Kim's lack of prior criminal record, sincere remorse, and circumstances worthy of consideration.

Kim said, "I am sorry to the victim and their family," and added, "I know I shouldn't have these feelings after committing a crime, but please show some leniency."

The nine jurors unanimously found Kim guilty of attempted murder.

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