Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Dragging Driver to Death

A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the murder of a 60-year-old hired driver, whom he assaulted and dragged for 1.5 kilometers while intoxicated.

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The court found that it was reasonable to believe the defendant accepted the outcome of death and could not be considered unaware of it, acknowledging at least indirect intent.

The Daejeon District Court's Criminal Division 12 found the defendant, identified as A, guilty of murder, violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (assaulting a driver), and violating the Road Traffic Act (DUI). The court stated that the defendant's actions were consistent with accepting the outcome of death and that he could not claim ignorance of this possibility, acknowledging at least indirect intent.

The court rejected A's defense of diminished capacity due to intoxication, ruling that he had the ability to discern his actions and make decisions at the time of the incident. The judges emphasized the severity of murder, which infringes upon life, and considered the extreme suffering of the victim, the family's plea for severe punishment, and the defendant's continued evasion of responsibility by claiming memory loss.

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The court stated that the defendant's claim of diminished capacity due to intoxication was not accepted, as he was not lacking or weak in his ability to discern and make decisions at the time.

Prosecutors had sought a 30-year sentence. The victim's family, through their lawyer, expressed disappointment with the sentence, indicating plans to appeal. The lawyer noted that while the defendant submitted letters of remorse, the family felt they had not received a proper apology and that the sentence might have been reduced due to these letters.

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Murder requires severe punishment as it infringes upon life. The victim suffered extreme pain while being dragged, and the family has requested severe punishment.

The incident occurred on November 14 last year when A, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.152%, assaulted the hired driver, B, in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. A pushed B out of the driver's seat, leaving him entangled in the seatbelt. B was dragged approximately 1.5 kilometers until the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. B sustained severe head injuries and later died at a hospital.

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We plan to request an appeal. Regardless of the sentence, the family would have found the verdict disappointing.