High School Girl Who Killed Friend Asking "Will Confession Reduce Sentence?" Sentenced to Maximum Penalty in Court

Claiming to be cut off after repeated verbal abuse and violence, then murder

An 18-year-old high school girl who was arrested on charges of murdering a friend after being cut off due to continuous verbal abuse and violence was sentenced to the maximum sentence under the Juvenile Act.

On the 25th, the Criminal Division 11 of Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Choi Seok-jin) announced that A (18), who was indicted on murder charges, was sentenced to the maximum sentence under the Juvenile Act: a long-term sentence of 15 years and a short-term sentence of 7 years. This is the same as the prosecution's demand. For minors under the age of 19, an indeterminate sentence can be imposed, divided into long-term and short-term sentences with upper and lower limits.

Daejeon District Court Photo by Yonhap News

A was indicted on charges of beating and strangling her friend B (18) to death at B's home in Seo-gu, Daejeon, around noon on July 12 last year. They were friends attending the same high school, and on the day of the crime, A went to B's house to return B's belongings, which led to an argument and the crime. Immediately after the crime, A surrendered to 119 (emergency services) and reportedly asked, "Since I am a high school student, if I am caught in the act for murder, is it correct that I will get 5 years in prison? Will I get a reduced sentence if I confess?"

According to the prosecution's investigation, A had been close with B for two years but frequently engaged in verbal abuse and violence, which led to being referred to the school violence countermeasure committee and eventually to a class separation measure in July 2022. They met again in March last year after A contacted B. At that time, A contacted B to inquire about the reason for holding the school violence committee meeting, and when the bullying continued, B declared the end of their friendship. Then A sent threatening messages such as "I will kill you" to B.

At the sentencing hearing held on the 11th, the prosecution stated, "The victim was continuously subjected to verbal abuse and violence simply because she lied or did not immediately respond to contact, and there is evidence of premeditation as threatening messages saying 'I will kill you' were sent continuously from two weeks before the crime," and demanded a long-term sentence of 15 years and a short-term sentence of 7 years.

The first trial court pointed out, "Although the defendant surrendered immediately after the crime, the report to the investigative agency, the calm behavior pretending to be the victim while talking to her sister, discarding the victim's mobile phone, and resetting the conversation history on the iPad show unfavorable circumstances after the crime." It added, "Although a letter of apology was submitted, the defendant still seems to try to shift responsibility to others, does not understand others' feelings and words, and acts according to her own thoughts." The court also noted, "The defendant's family deposited a considerable amount of money, but the bereaved family refused to accept it." However, the court dismissed the prosecution's request for attaching an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) and probation order, stating that there is little risk of recidivism.

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