Prosecutors, through a supplementary investigation, detained and indicted on attempted murder charges a person with schizophrenia who brutally assaulted an 85-year-old senior.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Director General Shin Do-uk) said on the 15th it had detained and indicted suspect B on attempted murder for assaulting A, an 85-year-old neighboring resident. A suffered serious injuries, including multiple fractures of 16 ribs, due to the assault by B, who has schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder.
Initially, the case was forwarded to prosecutors on charges including violation of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, which imposes aggravated penalties for offenses against seniors. However, there were reportedly no witnesses, and the victim's memory was lost due to the shock at the time, making it very difficult to establish criminal charges.
Using clues such as the suspect's psychiatric history and the horrific condition shown in photos of the crime scene and the victim's injuries, prosecutors suspected intent to kill and launched a supplementary investigation.
Specifically, prosecutors secured and analyzed the victim A's complete medical records. They also visited the hospital where A was admitted to directly check the victim's condition.
After consulting a forensic pathologist and a neurosurgeon on the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Medical Advisory Committee, prosecutors found that suspect B grabbed and strangled victim A by the neck and repeatedly kicked vital areas, assaulting with cruelty and persistence. This established intent to kill.
Prosecutors said, "During the supplementary investigation, we received a bloodstain analysis report from the police and used it to establish the charges, cooperating organically with the primary investigative agency," adding, "We will continue to establish the facts of the case through meticulous supplementary investigations."