Girlfriend Hiding on Window Frame to Escape Assault Falls to Death... Man in His 30s Sentenced to Prison Again on Appeal

A Year of Dating Violence... Court Rules "Grave Consequence," Upholds Prison Sentence
Criminal Deposit Rejected by Bereaved Family... No Grounds for Reduced Sentence

A man in his 30s who caused the death of his girlfriend, who was hiding from repeated dating violence, by causing her to fall, has again been sentenced to prison in his appeal trial.

Jeonju District Court

On December 16, the Criminal Division 3-3 of the Jeonju District Court of Appeals, presided over by Chief Judge Jeong Sejin, dismissed both the prosecution's and the defendant's appeals in the case of Mr. A (33), who was indicted on charges of inflicting bodily injury resulting in death and assault, and upheld the original sentence of four years in prison.

The appellate court stated, "Although the defendant made a criminal deposit for the victim during the first and second trials, the bereaved family expressed their intention not to accept it," adding, "Since this case resulted in the irreversible and grave consequence of the victim's death, there is no reason to reduce the sentence." This was given as the reason for dismissing the appeal.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of causing the death of his girlfriend, Ms. B (33), by causing her to fall from the fourth floor of a villa in Jeonju City at around 10 p.m. on January 6, 2023.

At the time, Ms. B had hidden herself in a room to escape repeated assaults by her boyfriend. However, Mr. A brought a fork and chopsticks from the kitchen and tried to open the locked door. Despite the rain, Ms. B opened the window and climbed onto the window frame, which was only 20 centimeters wide, to hide herself again.

However, Mr. A managed to open the door and entered the room. While checking under the bed and desk, he discovered Ms. B on the window frame and opened the window further. Ms. B, who was sitting in the narrow space where it was difficult even to place her feet, eventually fell to the ground and died.

According to the investigation, Mr. A had habitually assaulted Ms. B using his fists, feet, and household items from the start of their relationship in February 2022 until the day of the incident. During this period, the victim suffered serious injuries, including fractured ribs.

Mr. A claimed that he was unaware Ms. B was on the window frame at the time of the incident, but both the first and second trial courts determined that the victim's death was a result of the defendant's actions.