Filial Unfilial Son Who Slept Next to His Murdered 70s Mother Receives Increased Sentence in Second Trial

Second Trial Court Sentences 22 to 27 Years
"Did Not Perform Minimum Rescue Duties"
"Consistently Made Unconvincing Claims"

A man in his 50s who killed his mother in her 70s at their home and then lay beside her body watching TV and sleeping was sentenced to a heavy prison term again in the second trial.

According to the legal community on the 13th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judges Seol Beom-sik, Lee Sang-ju, and Lee Won-seok) sentenced A (52), who was detained and indicted on charges of killing a direct ascendant, to 27 years in prison. This is a heavier sentence than the 22 years given in the first trial.

A, who lived in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, was tried on charges of assaulting his mother B (78), who visited his residence around September 21 last year, without any particular reason, causing her death. A was arrested on the 25th of the same month after his brother reported discovering their mother dead. It was investigated that he laid a blanket beside his mother’s body and either slept or watched TV.

A’s mother, B, had been supporting him by providing living expenses and taking care of him. A had no significant income after being released from prison for another crime. During the investigation and trial, he claimed that B had falsely accused him of murder and that she was not even his mother.

The first trial court criticized, "The victim worked diligently as a caregiver to make a living and tried to take care of the defendant, worrying about his violent tendencies. Nevertheless, A showed no remorse or even feelings of mourning, denied the crime, and consistently displayed an irresponsible attitude."

The court judged that severe punishment was inevitable considering the degree of filial impiety, his behavior after the crime, and his attitude during the investigation.

The second trial court explained the sentencing reason, saying, "Even after committing the crime, A did not perform the minimum humanitarian duties such as providing aid to the victim, and consistently made claims during the investigation and trial process that are utterly unacceptable. The original sentence was excessively light and unfair."