Prosecutors have demanded a heavy prison sentence for a man in his 50s who murdered his older brother living with him and attacked his elderly mother in her 80s with a weapon, citing financial hardship and the burden of caring for his family.

During the sentencing hearing for the defendant, identified as A, held yesterday (July 23) before the Suwon District Court's 13th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Chang Seok-jun), prosecutors asked the court to sentence him to 15 years in prison.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant attacked and killed his older brother under the belief that their mother had already died, and had his mother shown any movement, he would have likely carried out the crime to the end through further attacks," adding, "It is a miracle that the mother did not lose her life."

They further emphasized, "The method of the crime was brutal, and given that he searched terms such as 'neck compression' and 'death by suffocation' prior to the offense, it is difficult to view this as a spur-of-the-moment crime," and noted, "While we can understand the defendant's difficult circumstances of struggling to support his mother, who was suspected of having dementia, and his older brother, who suffered from a mental illness, that cannot justify the crime."

Meanwhile, A's defense counsel appealed for leniency, describing the incident as a tragedy that occurred after reaching a breaking point while caring for his family.

The attorney argued, "The defendant had quietly shouldered the livelihood of his elderly mother and brother all by himself since 2015, and after losing his job last December, he suffered from economic hardship and extreme caregiver stress," adding, "He committed the act impulsively while failing to receive timely treatment for depression."

The defense continued, "This was not a meticulously planned crime. We ask the court to take into consideration that he lived quietly, prioritizing the livelihood and treatment of his family over his own well-being throughout his life."

In his final statement, A also bowed his head and said, "At the time, I seemed to have made a reckless decision due to mental abnormalities such as depression. I have committed an unforgivable sin against my mother and brother. I will regret and reflect on it for the rest of my life."

A was indicted on charges of stabbing and killing his older brother in his 50s and attempting to murder his mother in her 80s at a villa in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, at around 11:00 PM on January 19.

Immediately following the crime, A inflicted self-harm and fell into a critical condition, but he recovered after receiving hospital treatment and was brought to trial.

The first-instance sentencing hearing for A will take place at 2:00 PM on August 27.

(Photo: Yonhap News)