Prosecutors have requested a life sentence for a man in his 70s who murdered a woman he had been in a de facto marriage with, just two days after they were separated by police.
During the final hearing held today (July 15) at the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Na Sang-hoon of the 1st Criminal Division, the prosecution requested a life sentence for the defendant, identified as A (70), who was indicted on charges of murder.
The prosecution also requested that the court order A to wear an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) for 10 years and be placed under probation.
Explaining the rationale for the sentencing request, the prosecution stated, "The defendant committed the crime with the intent to kill the victim, unable to control his dissatisfaction and anger while under the influence of alcohol. Considering the motive, the means of the crime, and the circumstances following the incident, there is a high possibility of recidivism."
However, A's defense attorney argued that the crime was impulsive and requested that the court take into account the fact that A turned himself in.
"This is a tragic case in which a person lost their life, and we sincerely mourn the victim," A's attorney said. "Until the crime occurred, the defendant had been trying to restore his relationship with the victim and resolve their disputes."
During his final statement, A was unable to continue speaking and shed tears, eventually submitting his statement in writing instead.
A was arrested and indicted on charges of murdering a woman in her 50s, identified as B, by striking her dozens of times with a blunt object at a multi-family house in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on March 20 at 5:00 p.m.
Investigations revealed that A and B had been in a de facto marriage for 23 years before ending their relationship one month prior to the incident.
After committing the crime, A reported himself to 112. Investigations showed that he committed the act with a blunt object found in the house following an argument with B over financial issues.
Two days before the murder, B had also reported A to the police after an argument over the same issue, asking them to "make A leave the house."
At the time, the police did not book A and instead separated him by sending him to a nearby motel, considering that there was no physical assault and the victim did not express a desire for him to be punished.
The police also did not take any compulsory measures, such as requesting temporary protective orders from the court, as they determined there was no immediate danger.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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