29-year-old Choi Sung-woo, who brutally murdered a neighbor in an apartment, has received a heavy sentence in the second trial as well.
The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 12-1 (Judges Hong Ji-young, Bang Woong-hwan, Kim Min-a) sentenced Choi Sung-woo to 30 years in prison and five years of probation on the 21st, the same as the original sentence, for murder charges.
The court noted, "The original court considered that this case is a very serious crime that damaged the precious and significant value of human life, that no understandable motive for the crime could be found, that there was no sincere apology, and that the defendant even infringed upon the victim's posthumous honor. Therefore, it judged that the original court's decision was within the rational scope of discretion."
It added, "The defendant concentrated his attacks on the victim's head for about 13 minutes, choked him, and struck his head against a landscaping stone." It stated, "It appears that he foresaw that striking the face with such force and choking would result in death, recognizing the intent to kill."
Choi Sung-woo's defense claimed during the trial that he reported to 112 shortly after the crime and turned himself in, requesting this to be taken into account for sentencing. However, the court pointed out, "The defendant only stated that 'there was a fight and when he came to his senses, the other person was on the ground,' and did not report the objective facts of what he had done. Even if he turned himself in, this is merely a discretionary mitigating factor."
This implies that it is not a reason the court must consider, but rather a reason that can be examined for mitigation at the court's discretion.
Choi Sung-woo is accused of killing a neighbor in her 70s by indiscriminately assaulting her, hitting her face and head with his fists multiple times, and striking her head against a landscaping stone at a smoking area of an apartment in Jungnang District on August 20 of last year.
He was investigated for committing the crime after falling into a delusion that the victim was causing harm to him and his mother.
In September of last year, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office disclosed Choi Sung-woo's personal information after investigating the case and subsequently arrested and indicted him. In February, the first trial sentenced him to 30 years in prison.
At that time, the first trial pointed out, "It is questionable whether he is truly reflecting on his actions," but it also stated that it considered his general admission of the crime in sentencing.