[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] A man in his 40s who fatally assaulted his girlfriend over reasons such as replying late to KakaoTalk messages received a reduced sentence in the appellate court.
According to the legal community on the 3rd, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Bae Jun-hyun, Judges Pyo Hyun-deok and Kim Gyu-dong) overturned the original sentence of 12 years imprisonment and sentenced Mr. A, who was charged with injury resulting in death, to 8 years imprisonment in the appellate trial.
The reason was that the sentence handed down in the first trial far exceeded the recommended upper limit of the sentencing guidelines and was too severe.
Mr. A was tried on charges of assaulting and causing the death of his girlfriend Ms. B, who worked as a karaoke hostess in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, last June, because she replied late to his KakaoTalk messages and did not obey his order to "come home immediately."
It was investigated that Mr. A slapped Ms. B several times on the street, then put her on a motorcycle and took her to a secluded walking trail where he punched her, causing brain damage. Ms. B was transferred to the hospital intensive care unit but eventually passed away.
Earlier, the first trial court stated, "The defendant had sufficient motive to indiscriminately assault the victim due to being unable to control his momentary anger," and concluded, "Considering the evidence comprehensively, the defendant indiscriminately assaulted the victim's face and head with his fists and left her unattended for a considerable time," thereby ruling guilty.
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