"Had Chance to Stop Crime"…40s Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Killing Colleague with Blunt Weapon

A man in his 40s who fatally struck a coworker with a blunt object was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the court.

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] A man in his 40s who was charged with killing a coworker by striking him with a blunt weapon was sentenced to a heavy prison term.

According to the legal community on the 25th, the 1st Criminal Division of the Cheonan Branch of Daejeon District Court (Presiding Judge Seo Jeon-gyo) sentenced Mr. A (49), who was charged with murder, to 14 years in prison.

Mr. A, who worked at a food processing factory in Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, was brought to trial for allegedly killing his coworker Mr. B (29) by hitting him with a blunt weapon on October 9 of last year.

It was revealed that Mr. A requested Mr. B, who was in charge of raw material transportation, to carry raw materials after a delay in material transport, but when refused, he committed the crime.

Mr. A and Mr. B got into a physical fight inside the factory and continued fighting outside. Mr. A swung a blunt weapon found around the factory and kicked the fallen Mr. B.

Mr. B was transported to the hospital but was diagnosed brain dead and died two weeks later.

Mr. A claimed that he had no intent to kill and argued for the application of injury resulting in death, but the court did not accept this.

The court stated, "Although he thought 'the other person might die' when he first picked up the blunt weapon, he struck the head and face twice and kicked with metal-reinforced safety shoes," adding, "There was intent to kill, at least momentarily, beyond mere intent to injure, and even if not, there was at least implied intent to kill," applying the charge of murder.

Furthermore, the court explained the sentencing by saying, "There was an opportunity to stop the crime, but he repeatedly struck and killed the victim because he could not calm his anger, showing very poor criminal nature. Considering the victim’s family demands severe punishment, it is appropriate to hold him strictly accountable," and "The crime appears to have been committed impulsively, and considering that aid was provided through a third party after the crime."

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