Arson Murderer of Neighbor in Sinwol-dong Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in First Trial... Bereaved Family Demands Death Penalty

The court sentenced Jeong Mo (40), who was charged with murdering a woman in her 70s living downstairs and setting fire to the scene, to life imprisonment. The victim's family, who had hoped for the death penalty, expressed their wish for the prosecution to file an appeal.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 24th, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Dang Woojeung) sentenced Jeong, who was charged with murder and arson of a dwelling, to life imprisonment, stating, "Considering all the evidence, guilt is sufficiently established," and "According to the recidivism and mental evaluation results, there is also a risk of reoffending." Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of the weapon used in the crime, registration, disclosure, and notification of personal information on the information and communication network for 10 years, restrictions on employment at child, adolescent, and disabled institutions, and the attachment of a location tracking device.

According to the prosecution, Jeong was arrested and indicted on charges of murder and arson of a dwelling for killing Ms. A, a woman in her 70s living on the lower floor of a multi-family house, around 8 p.m. on June 14. He also stole Ms. A's money to use as funds for fleeing. Jeong was apprehended at 12:22 a.m. on June 18 at a motel in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, four days after the crime. During police interrogation, Jeong stated that the crime was committed due to disputes over water leakage between floors, but the prosecution believed that after water leakage occurred around December last year, Jeong harbored resentment toward Ms. A, and when his lease was about to expire in June, making it impossible to continue living there, he committed the crime driven by hatred.

At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution sought the death penalty for Jeong, but the court opened by saying, "The death penalty can only be imposed when there are special circumstances that justify it to anyone," and "Considering all such circumstances, we reviewed both aggravating and mitigating sentencing factors comprehensively before deciding the sentence."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The court stated, "In the conflict over the water leakage issue, the victim was the one suffering from the leakage and never directly spoke to the defendant about it, only expressing it through her children," and "The defendant blamed the victim for the water leakage problem, economic difficulties, and family issues, which makes the crime highly blameworthy," explaining the reasons for sentencing.

It continued, "The crime was committed against an elderly victim who could not resist, and the victim likely suffered extreme physical and mental pain," and "Immediately after the crime, the defendant changed clothes to escape, bought cigarettes at a convenience store, set fire to destroy evidence, and even stole money to fund his flight," adding that blaming the victim at the start of the investigation and the mental suffering experienced by the bereaved family were also considered unfavorable sentencing factors.

However, regarding the arson, the court took into account mitigating factors such as the defendant likely being unable to think normally immediately after the crime, the lack of premeditation, his upbringing and current economic and mental difficulties, the absence of any special criminal record other than fines, and the fact that although there were no measures for the family's recovery, Jeong appeared to have no assets or anyone to help him.

Immediately after the sentencing, the bereaved family held a press conference in front of the Seoul Southern District Court. The daughter of the victim, Ms. A, said, "This sentencing result is unfair, and the family wants the death penalty," and "The family hopes the prosecution will appeal." She added, "My mother was truly an angel," and "She never complained about the water leakage and lived while catching the dripping water," breaking down in tears. Ms. A's son-in-law also said, "This ruling is far from the public's sense of justice," and "We will continue to strive until a fair judgment is received."

Earlier, at the sentencing hearing held on the 20th of last month, the prosecution sought the death penalty for Jeong, citing the victim's life being taken in pain, the mental suffering of the bereaved family, and the defendant's lack of active remorse.