A man in his 30s who broke into an elderly couple's home and committed robbery had his sentence reduced in the second trial. The repeated pleas for leniency from the victims influenced the decision.
According to the legal community on the 4th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 6-3 (Presiding Judge Lee Eui-young) recently sentenced A (39) to three years in prison on charges of special robbery. The sentence was reduced by one year compared to the first trial.
The second trial court stated, "The defendant paid a total settlement amount of 25.5 million won to compensate the victims. Although the victims expressed their intention not to seek punishment in the first trial, they have repeatedly requested leniency in the second trial. Considering that the defendant supports young children and that other family members have pleaded for leniency, promising to actively help prevent any further criminal acts, the sentence in the first trial was too harsh."
According to the prosecution, A was charged with breaking into the home of Mr. B (74, male) and Mrs. C (68, female) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, around 7 p.m. last November, wearing a helmet and armed with a weapon, and stealing valuables.
When Mrs. C opened the door after hearing a knock, A demanded, "Bring 20 million won," grabbed her neck, and threatened her with the weapon while searching for items to steal. He then took one mobile phone, cards, and identification, and learned the credit card PIN. A also told Mr. B, who came out of the room after hearing the noise, "Bring 20 million won," and subdued the resisting Mr. B by kicking him down.
However, when A encountered neighbors who rushed over after hearing Mrs. C's cries for help, he fled the scene. Although he denied the charges when apprehended by investigators, he eventually admitted to the crime after DNA test results came out.
The first trial sentenced him to four years in prison, stating, "The victims must have experienced significant fear and anxiety, suffering mental and physical distress. Although he was previously sentenced to four years in prison in 2010 for a similar crime, he committed the same type of offense again, which is a serious matter." However, the court also considered "his late admission and remorse, the victims' amicable settlement and their desire not to seek punishment, and the fact that the victims' property damage was not substantial."
With A's decision to forgo an appeal after the sentence was reduced in the second trial, the three-year prison term was finalized.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
