70-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Murdering Common-Law Wife Days After Separation

A 70-year-old man who murdered his common-law wife just two days after they were separated has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The Incheon District Court's Bucheon Branch Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Na Sang-hoon) sentenced A, a 70-year-old man indicted and detained on murder charges, to 15 years in prison during a sentencing hearing held today (August 12).

However, the court dismissed the prosecutors' request for the attachment of a location-tracking electronic device (electronic anklet) and probation, judging that the risk of reoffending was low.

The court explained, "The defendant's crime infringes upon human life, and its culpability is undeniably heavy," adding, "In particular, the act of killing a spouse with whom one formed marital ties is a grave crime that betrays the affection expected of a family."

The court continued, "Although it was not premeditated, the process of the crime was gruesome, making the guilt even heavier and the nature of the crime poor," while also stating, "We considered the fact that the defendant reported himself to the police immediately after the incident and admitted to all wrongdoing as reasons for sentencing."

Previously, prosecutors sought a life sentence for A during the sentencing hearing last month.

A was indicted and detained on charges of beating a woman in her 50s, B, dozens of times with a blunt weapon and killing her at a multi-family housing unit in Ojeong-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, at 5:00 PM on March 20.

Investigations showed that A and B had maintained a common-law relationship for 23 years before ending their relationship a month prior to the incident.

Investigations revealed that A, who called 112 to turn himself in after the crime, committed the offense using a blunt weapon found inside the house following an argument with B over financial matters.

Two days prior to the crime, B had also quarreled with A over the same issue and reported it to the police, asking them to "make A leave the house."

At the time, considering that there was no physical violence and the victim did not express an intent to press charges, the police did not book A and instead separated them by having him stay at a nearby motel.

In addition, judging that there was no risk, the police did not take coercive measures such as applying to the court for temporary measures.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.