[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Three sisters who assaulted their biological mother to death under the influence of shamanistic beliefs, along with a woman in her 60s who instigated the crime, were sentenced to prison terms in the appellate court as well.
On the 16th, the Criminal Division 1 of Suwon High Court (Presiding Judge Yoon Seongsik) sentenced the eldest daughter A (44) to 10 years in prison, the second daughter B (41) and the third daughter C (39) to 7 years each for charges of injury resulting in death of a direct ascendant. Additionally, D (69, female), who was charged with instigating the crime (instigation of injury to a direct ascendant), was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison, the same as the original trial.
The three sisters were indicted for repeatedly beating their biological mother E (69) with a blunt object for three hours at A’s cafe in Anyang City, Gyeonggi Province on July 24 last year, resulting in her death.
D, a 30-year close acquaintance of the victim, who was dissatisfied with E’s usual behavior while helping with household chores, was found to have instigated the crime to the three sisters who trusted her and relied on shamanistic beliefs. In particular, about a month before the incident, D told A, "Through energy connected to politicians and chaebols, I can help you meet a good spouse," and added, "But your mother is blocking the energy, so she must be punished."
On this day, the court did not accept the claims of A and others that they committed the crime on their own without instigation. The court stated, "Text messages include contents such as 'Catch mom every day' and 'Make her obey even by force,'" and "Defendant D continuously sent messages reprimanding the victim, and it is believed that A and others were aware that the victim was being injured."
It added, "A and others repeatedly struck the victim mother with a dangerous object, a prepared club, leading to her death, and considering the motive and other circumstances, this is a crime that cannot be easily understood."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
