20s Man Who Stabbed Fianc?e 191 Times to Death Sentenced to 17 to 23 Years in Prison

Appeal Court Overturns Original Verdict and Increases Sentence

The appellate court sentenced a man in his 20s to a heavier prison term for stabbing his fianc?e 191 times with a weapon and killing her. The man received 17 years in prison in the first trial and appealed, claiming he was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime, but the court did not accept this.

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On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that the Criminal Division 1 of the Chuncheon Branch of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Min Ji-hyun) overturned the original verdict and sentenced A (28) to 23 years in prison in the appeal trial for murder charges. This sentence is 5 years heavier than the original 17-year sentence.

The court stated, "The crime was extremely horrific and brutal, and even considering the circumstances and motives that led the defendant to commit the crime, it is absolutely unacceptable to have mercilessly killed the victim with whom he had promised marriage," adding, "Although the defendant appears to be suffering from his actions and their consequences, this cannot be compared to the pain of the victim’s family, and it is difficult to see that he has sincerely apologized to the bereaved family."

Furthermore, the court said, "After comprehensively considering various sentencing factors," it accepted the prosecutor’s claim that the original sentence was inadequate and imposed a heavier sentence of 23 years in prison. However, the court dismissed the prosecution’s request for an electronic monitoring device (electronic ankle bracelet) order, as in the original trial.

On this day, the court remarked, "The defendant grew up in a difficult environment with parents who have severe disabilities, and both the defendant and the victim were young people in our society who had been living their lives diligently despite challenging circumstances," adding, "We deliberated repeatedly with a heavy heart."

Earlier, A was indicted on charges of brutally killing B, a person in their 20s who had promised marriage, by stabbing them 191 times with a weapon at an apartment in Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon Province, around 12:47 p.m. on July 24 last year. Immediately after the crime, A self-inflicted wounds with the weapon and directly reported to emergency services (112), and was later transferred to a hospital for surgery before being brought to trial.

During the investigation, A claimed that he committed the crime in a fit of rage after being insulted by B amid conflicts with neighbors over noise between floors, or that he was experiencing financial difficulties ahead of their marriage.

The first trial court sentenced A to 17 years in prison, considering that he appeared to have committed the crime impulsively while under extreme stress from noise issues and other factors. A appealed, arguing that he was in a state of insanity or diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime and that the sentence was unfair. The prosecution also appealed, requesting a 25-year sentence on the grounds of inadequate sentencing.

The victim’s family petitioned against the first trial sentence, stating, "17 years is not appropriate," and "He must pay a penalty that anyone can accept. We ask for life imprisonment without parole."