Killed Husband After Years of Domestic Abuse... Even Sister-in-Law Pleads for Leniency, Court's Decision?

Strangled Her Intoxicated, Sleeping Husband to Death
Court Sentences Her to Four Years in Prison, One Year Less Than Guideline

A woman in her 50s who killed her husband, who had been abusing her for decades, while he was asleep and intoxicated, has been sentenced to four years in prison. The court expressed regret, stating, "She may have thought that enduring was the best option, but if she had reported the domestic violence, the authorities would have responded appropriately."

According to Yonhap News and others on December 17, the 11th Criminal Division of the Jeonju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Sang-gon, sentenced A (age 59), who was indicted on charges of murder, to four years in prison, which is one year less than the sentencing guidelines. The court found A guilty on all charges but stated that it would show leniency, taking into account that A had suffered domestic violence from her alcoholic husband throughout their decades-long marriage.

On this day, the court revealed its anguish prior to delivering the verdict. Chief Judge Kim said, "The court cannot help but feel deeply troubled when looking at this case and other similar domestic violence cases," adding, "It is regrettable to think about what might have happened if the defendant had considered other options at that time."

He continued, "These days, when domestic violence is reported, investigative agencies respond quickly, and if the situation is severe, even compulsory treatment can be imposed," expressing his regret.

He further stated, "She may have thought that enduring (domestic violence) was wise, but in the end, her husband died suddenly, and she now stands trial here as a murderer. This is an outcome that none of the children, nor the victim’s family, would have wanted."

On August 6 at around 11:10 p.m., A was put on trial for strangling her husband, who was in his 60s, with an electrical cord at their home in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju. At the time, B was heavily intoxicated and asleep, and was unable to resist A’s attack.

After the crime, A turned herself in to the police, stating, "My husband was verbally and physically abusive on a regular basis," and "He had been drinking and causing disturbances for the past week, so I acted on impulse."

The court explained that, while it found A guilty on all charges, it took into account that A had suffered for decades from her husband’s alcoholism and domestic violence, which ultimately led her to commit the crime.

After the incident, even B’s younger sister, as well as A’s children, petitioned the court to show as much leniency as possible for the defendant, who had endured a difficult life. This influenced the court’s decision.

The court stated, "According to the Supreme Court’s sentencing guidelines, cases like this (murder) require a minimum sentence of five years," but added, "No matter how much leniency is shown, a sentence of this length must be imposed, and after much deliberation, we have decided on this verdict," applying mitigating factors to sentence A to four years in prison, one year less than the guideline.