"Claimed He Was Trying to Catch Flies": Man in His 60s Adds Pesticide to Village Residents' Food

"Defendant Had No Major Issues with Residents"
"Act Was Not Intentional...Committed in Diminished Mental State"

A man in his 60s who put pesticide into food meant to be shared by village residents claimed that he did so while intoxicated, stating that he added the pesticide to catch flies.

According to Yonhap News on May 14, during the trial for attempted murder held at the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 2 (presided over by Chief Judge Kim Seong-rae), the defendant A's attorney stated, "He was heavily intoxicated at the time, and put the pesticide in to catch flies, but does not recall the specific circumstances in detail."

The attorney continued, "The defendant has an introverted and quiet personality and had no significant issues with other residents. This was not done out of malice or intent, but was an act committed in a diminished state of mind due to severe alcohol dependence, where he was not fully aware of his actions," and pleaded for leniency.

The prosecutor requested the court to sentence A to two years and six months in prison, which is below the statutory minimum of five years, taking into account that although A put pesticide in the food, the amount was not lethal and the crime was therefore considered an impossible attempt.

A was put on trial on charges of attempting to murder an unspecified number of people by spraying pesticide into food prepared for lunch by residents in a village in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province in June 2024.

Fortunately, none of the residents consumed the food, as they suspected something was wrong due to a strange smell, and it was reported that the amount of pesticide added was not large. The verdict is scheduled to be announced on the 28th.

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