30s Wife Given Suspended Sentence for Killing Husband After 10 Years of Domestic Violence

Unanimous Suspended Sentence in 국민참여재판
Court Cites "Domestic Violence and Childcare Considerations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A woman in her 30s who killed her husband, who had been unemployed for 10 years and committed domestic violence, was sentenced to probation in a citizen participation trial.

According to Yonhap News on the 18th, the Criminal Division 11 of Ulsan District Court (Chief Judge Park Hyunbae) sentenced Ms. A, a woman in her 30s who was tried on charges of murder, to 3 years in prison with 4 years of probation.

Ms. A was tried on charges of injuring her husband, Mr. B, in his 30s, with a weapon and pressing his face with bedding to death at their home in Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam Province, during the daytime in July last year. It was revealed that before the crime, Ms. A gave her husband Mr. B coffee with sleeping pills, and after he fell asleep, she committed the crime.

Ulsan District Court building.

During the investigation, Ms. A stated that she had been living in fear and dissatisfaction toward her husband due to years of domestic violence, and on the day of the crime, she was abused by her husband who had been drinking. Mr. B had not been economically active since February 2012 and continuously drank alcohol, showing coercive and violent behavior toward Ms. A whenever he drank. After committing the crime, Ms. A surrendered herself.

Accordingly, the seven jurors participating in the citizen participation trial unanimously recommended to the court a sentence of 3 years in prison with 4 years of probation.

The court stated, "The bereaved family lost a precious family member due to the defendant’s crime and suffered mental wounds that can never be healed," but also said, "Although the bereaved family did not forgive the defendant, there are circumstances that warrant consideration regarding the motive of the crime." The court further explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "Considering the defendant’s remorse, the years of domestic violence endured, and the difficulties in raising and protecting the children if detained for a long period, probation was sentenced."

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