"Why No Officetel"... 40s Man Who Stepped on Father's Chest Causing Death, Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

Attempted Arson with Toilet Paper and Spray Bottle Left on Gas Stove

A man in his 40s who assaulted his father to death for not transferring ownership of an officetel was sentenced to eight years in prison.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A man in his 40s was sentenced to prison for setting fire to the residence where he lived with his parents because they refused to transfer ownership of an officetel in Incheon to him, and for assaulting his father in his 70s who tried to stop him, resulting in the father's death.

On the 12th, the 15th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Gyuhun) announced that it sentenced Mr. A (48), who was indicted on charges of injury resulting in death of a family member, injury to a family member, and attempted arson of a dwelling, to eight years in prison.

At around 3 a.m. on December 14 last year, Mr. A set fire by placing tissue paper and a spray can on a gas stove at his residence in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, and assaulted his mother, Ms. B (69), who came out after smelling the smoke, and his father, Mr. C (73), who was asleep.

At that time, he assaulted his parents by repeatedly stomping on their faces, shoulders, and chest areas while wearing shoes. Due to this assault, Mr. C died from ischemic heart disease at 9:30 a.m. two days later, on December 16.

Mr. A was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder in 2009 and had irregular psychiatric treatment, but it was found that he had not taken medication since October last year.

The court explained, "Mr. A, in a state of diminished mental capacity due to bipolar affective disorder, inflicted injuries on his parents, the victims, due to dissatisfaction related to property. Among these, he caused the death of his father, Mr. C, and attempted to burn the house by setting fire to tissue paper and a spray can placed on the gas stove, but the attempt failed."

It added, "At the time, the victims were elderly and had underlying illnesses, making it impossible to resist or stop Mr. A’s actions, and Mr. A committed the crime knowing this. However, considering comprehensively that Mr. A admitted to the crime and that his mother, Ms. B, pleaded for leniency," the court ruled.