A court sentenced an 80-year-old man to 20 years in prison, as requested by prosecutors, for wielding a weapon at a beauty salon in Geoje, Gyeongnam, and inflicting severe injuries on a stylist and a customer.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Changwon District Court Tongyeong Branch (Presiding Judge Park Byung-min) on the 29th sentenced A, who was indicted on charges of attempted murder, to 20 years in prison and ordered the attachment of a location-tracking electronic device (electronic ankle monitor) for 10 years. This matches the prosecution’s sentencing request.
According to the prosecution’s indictment, A allegedly entered a beauty salon in Gohyeon-dong, Geoje, around 11:20 a.m. on July 2, armed with a pre-prepared weapon, and stabbed B, a female stylist in her 30s, and C, a customer in their 40s, multiple times, causing injuries. B sustained injuries requiring six weeks of treatment, while C required eight weeks.
A left his residence in Jeonnam-Gwangju, took a weapon, and traveled to Geoje to commit the crime. He claimed to have ingested poison immediately after being arrested by police, but blood tests at the hospital showed no signs of poisoning.
During the trial, A’s side argued, “He harbored resentment after developing dermatitis following a visit to the salon last year” and claimed, “He lost control due to intoxication and acted impulsively, without intent to kill,” denying diminished mental capacity and premeditated murder.
However, the court rejected A’s claims and recognized the intent to kill.
The court stated, “The defendant purchased a weapon in advance, observed the salon’s business hours, and intruded methodically, indicating meticulous planning. The attack only resulted in attempted murder due to the victims’ desperate resistance and luck that the weapon missed vital organs. It is clear he intended to carry out the murder to completion.”
It further noted, “A has a prior record of stabbing or assaulting a doctor due to a mistaken belief that side effects resulted from the doctor’s prescription. Given his repeated similar offenses, there is no room for improvement.”
The court added, “A has made no efforts toward recovery, continues to blame the victims, and shows no genuine remorse. Considering the victims’ consistent appeals for severe punishment, the sentence was determined accordingly.”
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