Aunt Who Threw 11-Month-Old Nephew Out of 24th Floor Window Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Appeal

"Wanting to hug" then threw after receiving
Not forgiven by the bereaved family
Court: "Considering diminished mental capacity and plea for severe punishment"

A (43), who was charged with killing his 11-month-old nephew by throwing him out of a high-rise apartment window, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in the appellate court.

On the 9th, the Criminal Division 1 of Daegu High Court (Chief Judge Jeong Seong-wook) dismissed both the prosecution's and the defendant's appeals in A's appellate trial, maintaining the original sentence of 15 years in prison. After the conclusion of the arguments, the defendant submitted a letter of remorse to the court, while the victim's mother submitted a petition again urging for severe punishment.

The court stated, "The defendant acknowledges his wrongdoing and shows remorse, and is in a state of diminished mental capacity due to depression and other conditions," adding, "Although this is a first offense, he committed a brutal crime by throwing the victim, who was only 11 months old and completely defenseless, out of the 24th floor of the apartment." The court continued, "The bereaved family is believed to have suffered lifelong pain and psychological trauma, and in fact, they have not forgiven the defendant. The victim's mother is petitioning for severe punishment," concluding, "Considering various circumstances, the sentence imposed by the original court cannot be seen as excessively harsh or lenient."

A is accused of throwing his 11-month-old nephew B out of the small room window on the 24th floor of an apartment in Daegu, where his younger sibling and spouse lived, on May 8 of last year, causing the child’s death. At the time, A received the child from the mother, C, saying he wanted to hold his nephew, and committed the crime by locking the door while C briefly left the room.

Investigations revealed that A had a history of receiving medication for antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy) and depression, and after the crime, he reportedly said things like he intended to "euthanize (his nephew)." The first trial court explained, "Clinical psychological evaluation confirmed that A was in a state of diminished mental capacity," but also noted, "He was not forgiven by the victim child's parents, and the victim's mother petitioned for severe punishment."