(Daegu = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Seon-hyung = A man in his 60s who was indicted on charges of drowning his intellectually disabled nephew in the sea and then attempting to kill his elderly mother suffering from dementia, was sentenced to seven years in prison in a public participation trial.
On the 6th, Daegu District Court Criminal Division 13 (Chief Judge Chae Hee-in) sentenced Baek (62), who was indicted on charges of attempted murder and parricide, in a public participation trial.
All seven jurors who participated in the public participation trial unanimously reached a guilty verdict.
Regarding sentencing, four jurors voted for 7 years in prison, and 3 jurors voted for 8 years in prison.
The court said, "The crime of murder is an act that fundamentally violates the precious value of life, and cannot be justified for any reason. It is difficult to estimate the extreme fear that the deceased nephew must have felt just before his death, and the mother appears to have felt a deep sense of betrayal due to the crime of the son she trusted."
At the same time, he explained the reason for the sentencing, saying, “The possibility of a repeat offense against the victim, the mother, is absolutely not trivial, so there is a need to severely punish the defendant.”
Mr. Baek was indicted on March 22 at Najeong Port, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, for giving sleeping pills to his mother, who suffered from dementia, and his nephew, who had severe intellectual disability, before taking them to the sea and killing the nephew. He also tried to kill his mother by dropping her into the sea, but was stopped by witnesses and ended up being an attempt.
It was found that he had been taking care of his mother, who suffered from dementia, his younger sister, who had intellectual disabilities, and his daughter since around 2018.
It was found that since the death of her younger sister in 2022, she has virtually been responsible for the food, clothing, shelter, and household chores of her mother and nephew.
About a month before the crime, Mr. Baek complained to his younger brother about difficulties, saying, "My nephew is hitting me too much. I'm at my limit now, it's too hard."
The prosecutor requested 12 years in prison, saying, “The victims were disabled people and elderly people with dementia who were vulnerable to crime, and it was a planned crime, not an accidental crime.”
At the same time, he pointed out, "The defendant's younger brother, who is a surviving family member, says he does not want to be punished, but the deceased nephew cannot even express his intention to be punished, and the mother also has difficulty expressing her intention due to dementia," adding, "Even though the mother clearly expressed her intention to the defendant that she did not want to die, the defendant continued to attempt to commit the crime against her will."
Mr. Baek's lawyer appealed for leniency, saying that he suffered extreme stress and depression from nursing while supporting the two victims virtually alone for about eight years.
In his final argument, the defense lawyer said, "Please seriously consider whether you can actively criticize the defendant as a person against humanity, and whether he is just another victim who suffered mental illness while supporting the victims," and "Please consider that there is something different from a typical murder crime."
In his final statement, Mr. Baek said, "I committed a deadly crime. I caused my nephew's death, so please give me a bigger sentence. If I have to go out, I will take care of my mother and live well. I am truly sorry."
Mr. Baek is a first-time offender with no history of criminal punishment.
His younger brother, who appeared as a sentencing witness that day, expressed his intention not to punish Baek.
