'Incheon Interfloor Noise Weapon Rampage' 40s Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

Court: "Severe Punishment Unavoidable"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 40s who attempted to kill three members of a neighboring family with a weapon over a noise dispute in Incheon was sentenced to 22 years in prison in the first trial.

On the 27th, the 13th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Ho Seong-ho) sentenced A (49), who was charged with attempted murder, to 22 years in prison at the sentencing hearing. The court also ordered A to wear an electronic location tracking device (electronic anklet) for 10 years.

The court stated, "The defendant was obsessed with the delusion that the victims living downstairs were intentionally making noise, and despite the police officers being on the scene, he decided to kill the victims and committed the crime."

It added, "Considering the pain and shock the victims must have felt, severe punishment is inevitable," but also explained the sentencing reasons by saying, "The defendant partially admitted to the facts of the crime and showed remorse, and considering that he has no prior record of punishment exceeding a fine."

A was arrested and indicted on charges of attempting to kill three family members?a woman in her 40s neighbor B, her husband, and their daughter in her 20s?with a weapon on the 3rd floor of a villa in Namdong-gu, Incheon, at around 5:05 p.m. on November 15 last year. B was stabbed in the neck by the weapon wielded by A and underwent surgery for cerebral infarction. Her husband and daughter suffered injuries to their faces and hands and were diagnosed with a recovery period of 3 to 5 weeks.

Two police officers, one male and one female, who responded to the scene were dismissed for inadequate response and are currently under investigation for dereliction of duty. CCTV footage showing them abandoning the victims and fleeing sparked public outrage.

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on the 22nd of last month, the prosecution demanded a 30-year prison sentence for A, stating, "The victim will have to live with the intelligence of a one-year-old for the rest of their life."