A man in his 50s who attempted murder after being tried for stalking receives double sentence of 15 years in prison in the second trial

8-Year Prison Sentence Overturned in First Trial, 15-Year Sentence in Second Trial
Committed Crime After Being Tried for Trespassing Charge

A man in his 50s who attempted to kill his ex-lover after being prosecuted for trespassing following stalking was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the second trial.

[Asia Economy Kim Gun-chan, Intern Reporter] A man in his 50s who stalked his ex-lover after she broke up with him and was put on trial for trespassing has been sentenced to a heavier punishment in the appellate court for attempting to murder her out of spite.

The Criminal Division 1 of Suwon High Court (Presiding Judge Shin Sook-hee) announced on the 25th that it overturned the original sentence of 8 years imprisonment and sentenced Mr. A, in his 50s, who was on trial for attempted murder and trespassing, to 15 years imprisonment in the appellate trial.

Mr. A was prosecuted for attempting to kill Mr. B by tying him to a chair and wielding a prepared knife and blunt weapon at his residence in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, around 6:30 p.m. on March 6.

According to the investigation, after Mr. A was notified of the breakup by his lover Mr. B, he repeatedly stalked Mr. B by visiting his house and workplace despite a restraining order. Later, when he was indicted without detention for trespassing and put on trial, he harbored resentment and decided to commit the crime.

It was found that Mr. A lured Mr. B to his home by promising not to contact him again if he wrote a letter of no punishment.

The original court sentenced him to 8 years imprisonment, stating, "The victim suffered a horrific outcome, barely escaping death, and the pain of the family is also immeasurable."

Mr. A appealed, claiming the sentence was too heavy, but the second trial court said, "Stalking crimes, which have a high risk of escalating into cruel crimes, need to be strictly punished to prevent recidivism," and imposed a sentence about twice as severe.

The appellate court stated, "This case involved persistent stalking of a woman who wanted to break up, and when the victim reported it and he was put on trial, he harbored resentment and attempted to kill the victim in retaliation. The remorse letter submitted by the defendant shifts responsibility onto the victim and shows poor circumstances after the crime, making condemnation highly justified. A long-term sentence is appropriate."