"Life Sentence Requested for Girlfriend in Bucheon Ringer Death Case: 'Permanent Social Isolation Needed'"

Defendant Claims "Joint Suicide Attempt," Denies Murder Charges
Bereaved Family Appeals for Severe Punishment, Saying "Hard to Accept Brother's Death" to the Judge

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] In connection with the so-called 'Bucheon IV Drip Death Case,' in which a man died after his girlfriend excessively administered anesthetics via IV drip at a motel, the defendant girlfriend was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On the 8th, at the sentencing hearing held at the Incheon District Court Bucheon Branch Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Im Haeji), the prosecution requested life imprisonment for former nursing assistant A (32, female), who was indicted on charges including murder.

The prosecution stated, "This case involves the defendant harboring resentment and killing the victim with drugs," adding, "The defendant admits only to handling narcotics but denies all charges of murder. However, considering the investigation and trial results, the murder charge is justified."

They continued, "The victim never consented to his death and was a 30-year-old young man preparing for the future by obtaining certifications," and "The defendant planned and executed the method as if to commit joint suicide to avoid punishment, and even lied and laughed during the investigation by authorities."

They further explained, "Permanently isolating the defendant from society is the only way to alleviate the pain and sorrow of the bereaved family," stating the reason for the sentencing request.

However, in her final statement, A said, "We attempted joint suicide, but I am now burdened with the terrifying misunderstanding of murder and feel like dying again," adding, "My family is suffering from the false accusation of murder, and I blame myself for being the only survivor."

She continued, "I am scared even to say the word 'murder.' I am not a murderer," and "I regret and blame myself for being swayed and deciding to attempt joint suicide without stopping (my boyfriend). If given another chance to live, I will cherish every moment."

Throughout the trial, A had admitted only to administering propofol and other drugs without a prescription (violation of the Narcotics Control Act) but had completely denied the murder charges.

The victim's sister, representing the bereaved family, read a prepared petition in court, pleading for strict punishment of the defendant.

She said, "My younger brother, who said he was going to eat with his girlfriend and left wearing slippers in casual clothes, returned the next day as a cold corpse," adding, "Our family still struggles to accept his death and lives in pain."

She also claimed, "The defendant, who had a boyfriend she lived with for six years, came to our house saying she would marry my brother," and "After the crime, she took Pilates lessons while out on bail, visited restaurants with her family, and posted photos on Instagram."

The bereaved family appealed, "Watching the motel CCTV footage on the day of the incident, seeing the defendant and my brother entering the motel, they do not appear to be people planning joint suicide out of deep love," and "Strict punishment of the defendant is the only way to comfort the soul of my brother who died unjustly. We earnestly request that the defendant be punished appropriately for her crimes."

A was arrested and indicted on charges of administering anesthetics via IV drip to her boyfriend B (30 at the time of death) at a motel in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on October 21, 2018, at around 11:10 a.m., causing his death. She is also charged with administering propofol and other drugs to B without a prescription and stealing medical supplies when the hospital where she worked closed in August 2016.

According to the autopsy by the National Forensic Service, B was administered lethal doses of anesthetics including propofol and lidocaine, as well as the anti-inflammatory analgesic diclofenac. The cause of death was cardiac arrest due to diclofenac.

Tests also revealed that A, who was with B at the motel during the incident, had taken drugs, but at levels below therapeutic doses.

The police judged that A administered a lethal dose of drugs to B while taking drugs herself at sub-therapeutic levels, and applied charges including 'murder by deception with consent,' releasing her without detention and transferring the case to the prosecution. The charge applies when one deceives the other into consenting to death by pretending to commit an extreme act together.

However, after supplementary investigation, the prosecution found no evidence that A and B attempted joint suicide simultaneously and indicted A on murder charges, sending her to trial.