Death penalty sought for man in his 30s who killed two neighbors over noise dispute between floors

Stabbing Attack Kills Couple in Their 40s, Seriously Injures Parents in Their 60s

On the 27th, the prosecution sought the death penalty for a man in his 30s who killed an upstairs couple due to a conflict over noise between floors.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] A man in his 30s who wielded a weapon against an upstairs neighbor in an apartment due to inter-floor noise conflict, resulting in the deaths of two people, has been sentenced to death.

On the 26th, at the Gwangju District Court Suncheon Branch 1st Criminal Division (Chief Judge Heo Jeong-hoon), during the sentencing hearing for murder and attempted murder charges related to inter-floor noise issues, the prosecution requested the death penalty, the highest legal sentence, for defendant A (35). Additionally, they asked the court to impose a 20-year electronic location tracking device attachment and a restraining order.

The prosecutor stated, "The defendant meticulously planned the crime and showed no hesitation during the act," adding, "He committed an extreme and horrific crime without accurately verifying the facts about where the noise originated, simply because he was suffering from inter-floor noise."

He continued, "The parents of the victims who witnessed their children being murdered have suffered deep wounds that are difficult to heal, and it is natural that the children of the murdered victims were even more shocked upon realizing the horrific reality," explaining the reason for the sentencing request, "The law’s severity must be reminded through a heavy sentence."

Earlier, the defense attorney for A argued in the final statement, "If the defendant had planned the crime, he would not have failed to consider an escape route, but he voluntarily reported himself and surrendered, which is a mitigating factor," and added, "While there may have been an outburst of long-term anger due to inter-floor noise, it is difficult to see this as a planned crime."

He also said, "It seems clear that the defendant had early symptoms of schizophrenia or at least a mental illness involving grandiose delusions at the time, and we ask that the emotional evaluation be considered with a focus on the defendant’s current state."

In his final statement, A said, "I am sorry to the victims and their bereaved families," adding, "I was not in my right mind. I regret it and apologize once again."

A was indicted on charges of killing a couple in their 40s and seriously injuring their parents in their 60s by wielding a weapon during a dispute over inter-floor noise with an upstairs neighbor at an apartment in Yeosu City, Jeollanam-do, at 12:33 a.m. on September 27 last year. A’s sentencing trial is scheduled for May 17.

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