Stabbing and killing fianc? with a weapon... Family's plea for leniency denied, 4-year prison sentence upheld on appeal

A woman in her 20s accused of killing her lover by throwing a weapon in the early morning of November 6 last year was sentenced to four years in prison in the appellate court as well.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A woman in her 20s who was prosecuted for killing her fianc? by throwing a weapon during a drinking party was sentenced to four years in prison in the appellate court as well.

On the afternoon of the 14th, the Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Choi Suhwan) sentenced A (27, female), who was charged with murder, to four years in prison in the appeal trial, the same as the first trial.

The appellate court stated, "The distance was very close when the weapon was thrown, and the space where the victim was standing was also very narrow," adding, "The defendant recognized and foresaw that the victim could die, even if only implicitly, by throwing the weapon, yet proceeded with such an act," thereby upholding the first trial's guilty verdict for murder.

Furthermore, the court said, "Considering that there were no changes in any sentencing conditions between the original trial and the grounds for appeal, the sentence imposed in the first trial does not appear excessively heavy or light," and dismissed both the prosecutor's and the defendant's appeals.

Earlier, A was prosecuted for killing B (then 26 years old), her fianc?, by throwing a weapon at him around 3 a.m. on November 6 at an officetel in Gyeonggi Province.

The incident occurred at B's friend's house, where a drinking party was underway to celebrate A's birthday and to introduce each other. Under the influence of alcohol, A bit B's hand, which angered B greatly and led to a verbal altercation.

During this, A became enraged after B hit her hard. Eventually, A took out a weapon from the kitchen of B's friend's house. A swung the weapon while demanding an apology, injuring B's forehead and hand. B also continued to rush forward to fight, and the friend tried to separate them by spreading his arms.

At that moment, the weapon thrown by A flew into B's chest. Although B was immediately taken to the hospital, he eventually passed away. The police arrested A at the scene. The distance between A and B at the time was 185 cm, and the width of the entrance door between them was only 69 cm. B's friend testified to the investigation agency, "Something flew in front of my face while I was trying to separate them."

The first trial sentenced A to four years in prison. It was judged that A had the intent to kill and did not accept the claim of diminished responsibility. The court found that A threw the weapon fully aware that B could be hit in the narrow space. However, it also noted, "It appears to have been a spontaneous crime, and artificial respiration was performed on the fallen victim, and 119 was called for rescue measures," and "considered the defendant's remorseful attitude and self-reproach."

During the appeal trial, A and her lawyer pleaded that there was no intent to kill. B's father also appeared in the appellate court and unusually pleaded for leniency as the victim's bereaved family, saying, "Please forgive this child. I have forgiven her first." He added, "She is still my daughter-in-law. If this unfortunate accident had not happened with my son, she would have lived as my daughter-in-law for life," and wept, saying, "I hate the crime, not the person. Because of one moment of wrong mistake, this child will live with a heavy heart forever."

In her final statement, A sobbed, "I am truly sorry to everyone who was harmed because of me. I am very sorry to the victim as well," and "Father, your heart must be very painful, and I am very sorry and thankful that you have tried so hard for me."

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