160 Assaults in 1 Hour... Former Ssireum Wrestler Causes Death of Neighbor Over 'Floor Noise'

A former Ssireum wrestler was sentenced to prison for causing the death of a neighbor with whom he had a conflict over noise between floors.

According to the legal community on the 10th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Cheonan Branch of Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Jeon Gyeong-ho) sentenced Mr. A, who was indicted on charges of injury resulting in death, to 1 year and 6 months in prison. Previously, the prosecution had demanded a 15-year prison sentence.

The court stated the reason for the sentence, saying, "Until the recorded footage of the crime scene was secured, the defendant denied the assault, and considering the method and outcome of the crime, it is necessary to strictly discipline the defendant," but also noted, "considering that an agreement was reached with the victim's family."

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Earlier, Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of causing death by beating a neighbor living upstairs, with whom he had conflicts over noise between floors, more than 160 times with fists and other means over the course of an hour after drinking together on November 20 last year. During the trial, Mr. A's side argued, "The assault occurred impulsively while taking the intoxicated victim home," and "Since the victim had a pre-existing illness, it is difficult to determine whether the cause of death was due to the assault."

The court partially accepted Mr. A's claim, stating, "It appears that the victim's physical condition contributed to the result of death." However, it judged Mr. A guilty, saying, "Considering that the victim suffered extensive bleeding due to prolonged assault, a causal relationship between the assault and death is recognized." The court added, "As a former Ssireum wrestler with a healthy physique, the defendant likely foresaw the fatal outcome at the time of the assault."

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