A man in his 20s who set fire to a studio and killed two people, including his ex-girlfriend, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by the Supreme Court.



Today (28th), the first division of the Supreme Court (Chief Judge Oh Kyung-mi) announced that it had dismissed the appeal of Mr. A (27), who was charged with arson of a building in Hyeonju, and confirmed the sentence of 30 years in prison at the lower court.



A (27) sprayed gasoline on the house of his girlfriend B in a one-room building in Dujeong-dong, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do at around 7:40 a.m. on February 10, last year, and then set it on fire with a lighter, killing two people, including Mr. B. I am charged with one.



Enlarging an image

▲ At the time of the fire


It is understood that A decided to commit the crime after receiving a notice of separation and arguing with B.

A was found to have purchased 6 bottles of water and a lighter from a convenience store right before the crime, then went to a nearby gas station to empty the bottle and bought 11 liters of gasoline and put it in the empty bottle.



Mr. A claimed that from the investigative agency to the 1st and 2nd trials, he only sprayed gasoline to scare them, but did not light the fire.



However, the court of first instance sentenced him to 30 years in prison, saying, "Even to the courts, I am making excuses, denying the crime, and making no effort to ask for forgiveness from the bereaved family."



Dissatisfied with the judgment of the first instance, the prosecution and Mr. A each filed an appeal.



The Court of Appeal dismissed both appeals and maintained the 30-year prison sentence sentenced in the first instance, judging that there is no need to spray all of the purchased gasoline in the studio if the intent was to intimidate the victim.



The Supreme Court ruled, "When we see the judgment of the lower court, there is no error in misunderstanding the relevant legal principles and omission of judgment, such as failing to complete the trial or escaping the limits of libertarianism."



The Supreme Court also rejected Mr. A's claim, taking into account the intensive spraying of gasoline on the bed mattress, the fact that more than 90% of the victim's body was burned, and the timing of the fire.



(Photo=Courtesy of Cheonan Northwest Fire Station/Yonhap News)



▷ 30 years in prison for killing two people, including ex-girlfriend, by setting one room on fire


▷ [Pick] Ex-girlfriend arson man in his 20s "I sprayed gasoline but didn't start a fire"