A graduate student who put harmful chemicals into a tumbler belonging to a junior in the same laboratory was sentenced to a heavier fine in the appellate trial than in the first trial. The photo is unrelated to this article. [Image source=Pixabay]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A graduate student who put harmful chemicals into a lab junior's tumbler to relieve stress was sentenced to a heavier fine in the appellate court than in the first trial.
According to the legal community on the 25th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeal Division 4-2 (Presiding Judges Jeon Yeon-sook, Cha Eun-kyung, Kim Yang-seop) overturned the first trial's fine of 3 million won and sentenced graduate student Kim (30), who was charged with attempted special injury, to a fine of 7 million won.
It was revealed that on October 2, 2019, Kim mixed toluene with water and put it into the tumbler of lab junior A in an attempt to harm them, but the attempt failed as the victim noticed a strange smell in the water, leading to prosecution.
Toluene is a substance that can cause fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory irritation, excitement, vomiting, delirium, gait abnormalities, and central nervous system depression.
During the investigation, Kim stated that he committed the crime out of anger after breaking up with his girlfriend. However, it was found that the amount of toluene Kim put into A's tumbler was not lethal.
The prosecution judged that toluene falls under the category of "dangerous goods" under criminal law and charged Kim with attempted special injury.
However, the first trial court recognized the charge of attempted injury and sentenced Kim to a fine, reasoning that it was difficult to prove that toluene was a dangerous substance.
In response, the prosecution appealed, arguing that toluene should be recognized as a dangerous substance and that Kim's sentence should be increased.
The appellate court upheld the first trial's judgment that toluene cannot be considered a dangerous substance but increased the fine, stating that the fine imposed on Kim was too light.
The court pointed out, "This crime involved putting the harmful substance toluene into a colleague's tumbler to relieve personal stress, which is difficult to understand in terms of motive and circumstances, has a bad nature, and the defendant has not been forgiven by the victim."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
