A death sentence was sought for a man in his 20s who killed a taxi driver after arguing over the destination.
According to legal sources on the 8th, at the sentencing hearing for A, a man in his 20s, on charges including murder, attempted murder, and theft held before the Criminal Division 15 of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Yun-seop) that day, prosecutors sought the death penalty.
Prosecutors also asked the court to order 30 years of electronic monitoring, five years of probation, and restraining orders against the victims and certain individuals.
A was indicted on charges of stabbing B, a taxi driver in his 60s, dozens of times with a weapon he possessed on a road in Samhwa-ri, Bibong-myeon, Hwaseong, at about 3:27 a.m. on June 26, and then fleeing after stealing the taxi.
It was determined that A committed the crime against B after a scuffle when B drove as instructed but failed to find the destination and wandered for 30 minutes.
A is also accused of running over two village residents who witnessed the killing during the escape, one after another with the car, causing a fracture and contusions, respectively. B was taken to a hospital but died.
Prosecutors said, "The defendant argued with the victim over the route to the destination, stabbed the victim dozens of times with a weapon, and even though the victim took the weapon away and begged for life, the defendant kept stabbing with another weapon and killed the victim."
They added, "The matter is serious and the nature of the crime is extremely poor. Nevertheless, the defendant testifies as if the victim caused the crime," explaining the reason for the sentencing request.
They continued, "To conceal the crime, the defendant tried to kill other victims who were witnesses by hitting them with the car and then fled," adding, "It is also hard to see that the defendant is reflecting sincerely."
In the closing argument, the defense said, "According to a psychiatric evaluation, the defendant's intellectual level is 53 points, which is low, and the defendant shows delusional symptoms of being controlled by another entity."
Seeking consideration that A's mental health history affected the crime, A said in a final statement, "I am sorry to the victim and the bereaved family. I did wrong."
Meanwhile, A's sentencing hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 next year.