Weight at the time of death: 20 kg… Husband sentenced to 2 years in prison for locking wife in room | Donga Ilbo

A husband who abandoned and neglected his wife by confining her to a room and not giving her food was sentenced to prison.

On the 8th, Daegu District Court Criminal Division 12 (Chief Judge Eo Jae-won) sentenced Mr. A (59), who was indicted on charges including confinement, to two years in prison.

The seven jurors who attended the trial unanimously found him guilty on the charge of confinement, while five jurors found him not guilty and two found him guilty on the charge of abandonment to death.

Regarding the charge of abandonment of death, the court said, “We respect the opinion of the majority of the jurors who found not guilty, saying that a causal relationship cannot be recognized between the defendant’s abandonment and the victim’s death,” and added, “Based on the degree of intellectual disability of the defendant, etc. “The charge was changed to a charge of abandonment,” he said.

Mr. A was indicted on charges of confining his wife, B (54), to a room at a house in Seo-gu, Daegu from mid-November 2022 to January 4 of last year and not allowing her to come out. He is also accused of abandoning his wife to death by confining her and not providing her with food.

It was found that Mr. B was only 145cm tall and weighed 20.5kg at the time due to lack of proper nutrition for a long period of time. It was reported that he was in very poor health and had difficulty moving on his own.

It was revealed that Mr. A had always been dissatisfied with Mr. B, who was hearing impaired, because he had difficulty communicating with him and that he had a low intellectual ability, and that he had imprisoned Mr. B because he did not want to be noticed by the neighbors.

The court said, “The victim died from complications while in a state of extreme starvation. “The victim was very thin, his pants were wet, his health was poor, and he had difficulty moving on his own, but the defendant did not take any protective measures.”

He continued, “It seems that he felt his life was in danger due to the prolonged starvation and finally called the defendant for help, but he ignored this. “Even considering the fact that the defendant has a borderline intellectual disability, he is a heartless husband,” he said. “The degree of confinement and abandonment is serious, the resulting consequences are very cruel, the guilt is very heavy and the possibility of blame is very high, and the bereaved younger brother must be severely punished.” He stated the reason for sentencing, saying, “We have taken into account all the points being pleaded.”

In its ruling, the court also mentioned society’s indifference. The court said, “A regrettable incident occurred due to social indifference toward the defendants and victims in need of help,” and asked, “I hope that this incident will serve as an opportunity for our society to take a more active interest in families with disabilities.”