Man in his 50s Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Setting Fire at Home Causing Neighbor to Jump to Death

Investigated as Arson for Extreme Choice
Neighbor in Same Building Dies After Jumping Out Window to Escape Fire Smoke

A man in his 50s who set fire to his own house, causing the death of one resident living in the same building, was sentenced to prison by the court.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Joo-eun Lee] A man in his 50s who set fire to the residential building where he lived, causing the death of a resident living in the same multi-family housing building, was sentenced to prison by the court.

The Suwon District Court Criminal Division 11 (Chief Judge Shin Jin-woo) announced on the 30th that it sentenced Mr. A, a man in his 50s who was tried on charges of arson causing death and injury to a dwelling, to 8 years in prison.

Mr. A is accused of setting fire around midnight on January 3rd of this year to a second-floor residence in a multi-family housing building in Gyeonggi Province, causing the death of Mr. B, a resident in his 40s living in the same building. It was investigated that Mr. A set the fire intending to make an extreme choice.

At the time, Mr. B, who lived on the fourth floor of the building, jumped out of the kitchen window to escape the fire when smoke billowed, but died. One family member who jumped out together was also seriously injured.

Immediately after the arson, Mr. A went outside and, for the reason of feeling unwell, climbed onto the hood of driver Mr. C’s car who was waiting at a traffic signal on the road, damaging the vehicle’s wiper and causing property damage.

The court stated, "The defendant set fire to a building where many people live, resulting in one death and one serious injury, causing a tragic outcome," but added, "However, considering that the defendant did not appear to intend to harm other residents and seemed to have committed the crime somewhat impulsively, the sentence was determined accordingly."

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