"Struggling with Solo Care"… 80-Year-Old Sentenced to 3 Years in Appeal for Killing Dementia Wife

An octogenarian who cared for his wife in her 70s suffering from dementia for four years and then killed her was sentenced to three years in prison again in the appellate court.

According to the legal community on the 17th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Suwon High Court (Presiding Judges Moon Ju-hyung, Kim Min-sang, Kang Young-jae) sentenced Mr. A, who was charged with murder, to three years in prison, the same as the first trial. Previously, both the defendant and the prosecution appealed on the grounds of 'excessive sentencing.'

Mr. A is accused of strangling his wife in her 70s to death at their residence in Gyeonggi Province last September. It was confirmed that he killed his wife, with whom he had been together for over 60 years, because he thought he could not burden their children, and he also intended to end his own life.

Initially, Mr. A gave his wife a toxic drug, but when she showed no particular reaction, he strangled her. It was later investigated that Mr. A took the same drug himself.

The appellate court explained the reason for dismissal, stating, "The defendant currently appears to be experiencing difficulties in detention due to memory decline and other issues," and "other sentencing factors claimed by the defendant and the prosecution seem to have been sufficiently considered by the original court in determining the sentence."

Earlier, the first trial stated as the reason for sentencing, "The defendant killed his spouse, with whom he had been together for over 60 years. Murder is an act that takes a human life, which has an absolute value that cannot be exchanged for anything," and "It is a serious crime that cannot be justified for any reason."

However, it explained, "The defendant was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease four years ago and diligently cared for the victim, who was severely demented and had difficulty moving," and "Considering the defendant's old age and weakened physical and mental condition, it seems that caring for the victim had reached its limit, which was taken as a favorable circumstance."