Life Sentence Sought for Teen Who Brutally Murdered Grandmother... Heavy Sentence Also for Involved Sibling

Teenage siblings accused of murdering their foster grandmother entered the Daegu District Court Seobu Branch on August 31 for a warrant hearing. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The prosecution has demanded a life sentence for the teenage grandson who brutally killed his biological grandmother.

A heavy sentence was also sought for the younger brother who participated in the grandmother's murder.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 6th at the Daegu District Court Western Branch Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Jeong-il), the prosecution requested a life sentence, 30 years of electronic monitoring, and 5 years of probation for A (18), who was tried on charges including killing a family member. For A’s younger brother B (16), who is accused of aiding and abetting the killing of a family member, the prosecution sought 12 years of long-term imprisonment and 6 years of short-term imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, on August 30th, A stabbed his 70-year-old biological grandmother, who raised him, over 60 times with a weapon at their home in Daegu, causing her death.

He is also accused of attempting to kill his grandfather, who witnessed the incident, but was stopped by his younger brother B, resulting in an attempted murder charge. B is accused of assisting his brother’s crime by closing the windows to prevent the grandmother’s screams from being heard.

In court, A testified that he disliked his grandmother because she nagged him, saying things like “Don’t play games” and “Buy your own food with your meal card.”

He also said he felt anxious because she often told him to leave the house when he turned twenty. A stated, “When I pointed the knife, my grandmother moved toward where her phone was, so I stabbed her fearing she would call the police.”

B said, “I didn’t think my brother would actually commit the crime, but his eyes were different than usual, so I followed his instructions,” and added, “I feel sorry for my grandmother and regret not stopping my brother more actively.”

The deceased grandmother had raised A and his siblings for nine years since A was nine years old in 2012, after their parents abandoned them.

Although A’s grandparents were both physically disabled, they took care of the grandchildren despite difficult living conditions.

The prosecution stated, “The A brothers either planned or assisted in the deliberate murder of their biological grandmother,” and added, “The grandmother’s nagging, cited as the motive by the brothers, cannot justify the brutal killing of the woman who raised them for nine years, and there is a high risk of reoffending,” urging a heavy sentence.

A’s defense attorney requested leniency from the court, saying, “There is no excuse for the crime, but it was an impulsive act,” and “Since he is still a young student, we ask for mercy.”

A said, “I am sorry to my grandmother and grandfather,” and “If released, I will live a life serving children and the elderly.”

The sentencing hearing will be held on January 20th next year at the Daegu District Court Western Branch.

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