Furious Over Breakup While Driving... Woman in Her 30s Who Attacked Lover Given Suspended Sentence

Woman in Her 30s Sentenced to Two Years and Six Months in Prison, Suspended for Four Years

A woman in her 30s who was put on trial for wielding a weapon at her lover after he announced their breakup has been sentenced to probation.

According to the legal community on November 9, the 11th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Song Byunghoon) recently sentenced Ms. A, who was charged with attempted murder, to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years. The court also ordered her to complete 160 hours of probation and community service.

Ms. A was indicted for stabbing her lover, Mr. B, five times with a weapon from the passenger seat of his car while it was driving on a road in Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, at around 11:11 p.m. on December 17 last year. It was confirmed that when Mr. B, who was driving, said, "Let's break up," Ms. A, unable to control her anger, took out a weapon she had prepared in advance and shouted "Die" as she committed the act. Mr. B suffered lacerations to his head and shoulder that required about two weeks of treatment and bled heavily. At the time, Mr. B was barely able to escape by opening the car door.

During the trial, Ms. A's side argued that she "had no intention to kill the victim."

However, the court of first instance ruled, "Given the circumstances, details, and method of the crime, the nature of the offense is extremely egregious. In particular, murder is an act that takes away a human life, which is of precious and absolute value. The consequences are devastating, and recovery for the victim is impossible by any means. Therefore, even though the crime was only attempted, the defendant bears a heavy responsibility."

The court also stated, "The victim appears to have suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of this incident." However, the court explained the reasons for sentencing as follows: "The defendant reached a settlement with the victim, and the victim no longer wishes for the defendant to be punished. The defendant appears to have suffered from mental health issues such as adjustment disorder, insomnia, and depression, and her mental state seems to have influenced the crime to some extent. These factors are considered in favor of the defendant."