A Woman in Her 40s Who Followed a Man She Met for the First Time to His Home and Murdered Him... Heavy Sentence Upheld in Appeal Trial

Seoul High Court / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A woman in her 40s who killed a man in his 60s whom she met for the first time and stole valuables was sentenced to a heavy prison term again in the appellate court.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-3 (Presiding Judges Jo Eun-rae, Kim Yong-ha, Jeong Chong-ryeong) on the 28th sentenced A (40) to 13 years in prison, the same as the first trial, in the appeal trial on charges of robbery-murder.

A met the victim B for the first time last August at Mangwon Hangang Park in Seoul and drank together.

The drinking session continued to B's house, and A strangled B to death, then stole a gold necklace, gold bracelet, cash, and fled.

The prosecution applied the charge of robbery-murder, arguing that A planned the crime to kill B and steal valuables to escape. On the other hand, A claimed that the crime was committed impulsively because B made her feel humiliated by demanding sexual relations.

The first trial court accepted A's claim, stating, "It is difficult to conclude beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant killed the victim with the intent to steal valuables from the beginning."

The appellate court also stated, "If we believe the defendant's statement that she came to the park to make an extreme choice and happened to talk to the victim, it is difficult to see that she approached the victim with the intent to take valuables from the start," and did not recognize the charge of robbery-murder.

However, the court said, "Considering the defendant's remorse and the fact that she was momentarily angered and committed the crime impulsively after being asked for sexual relations," but added, "The 13-year prison sentence set by the original court is neither too heavy nor too light and is not deemed unfair."

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