Married Man in His 50s Who Planned to Murder Mistress Released on Appeal

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] A married man who was sentenced to prison in the first trial for attempting to kill his mistress who had notified him of a breakup was released after his sentence was reduced to probation in the appeal trial.

According to the legal community on the 20th, the Gwangju High Court 2-3 Criminal Division (Chief Judge Park Jeong-hoon) overturned the original sentence of 3 years and 6 months imprisonment in the appeal trial of A (50), who was indicted on charges including attempted murder.

The court sentenced him to 3 years in prison with 4 years of probation and ordered him to attend a 40-hour stalking treatment program.

A was brought to trial on charges of planning to kill his mistress in early March last year after she continuously refused to meet him.

A purchased various tools for the crime from an online shopping mall and rented a passenger car to use for confinement purposes.

He went to his mistress’s house in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do, lured her to come down to the parking lot, forcibly put her in the passenger car, and confined her for about an hour.

Using tools prepared in advance, he tied her hands and threatened to kill her with a weapon.

He drove about 55 km from Mokpo to Jangheung in Jeollanam-do, keeping his mistress confined and terrified.

Persuaded by his mistress, he gave up on killing her and released her.

The court explained, "The circumstances of the crime are of bad nature and highly blameworthy. In particular, the attempted murder could have led to a serious outcome."

However, it stated the reasons for sentencing, "Considering that the victim does not want punishment at the appeal stage and that the defendant shows remorse."