Court gives remorseless murderer life sentence

A local court gave a life sentence to a former motel employee who killed a guest and dismembered his body, Tuesday.

The murder suspect, Jang Dae-ho, 38, was charged with murder and dismemberment and concealment of a body.

“Considering his attitude of ridiculing the victim and the judicial branch, permanent segregation of the defendant from society is commensurate with his wrongdoing,” the Goyang Branch of the Uijeongbu

District Court said in the ruling.

“Given that his behavior went beyond the state in which he can be respected as a human being, without a modicum of remorse or sense of guilt, we recognize he cannot be forgiven although he may regret his misdeed in the future. So we believe he should not be given parole but be kept in prison for the rest of his life.”

Last month, the prosecution sought the death penalty for Jang, citing his “cruel” criminal act and unrepentant behavior. Admitting all charges, Jang also said in the court at the time that he was prepared to accept capital punishment. However, he refused to make an apology to the victim or his family.

On Aug. 8, Jang killed a 32-yearold guest at the motel where he worked in Guro-gu, southwestern Seoul, following an argument about the cost of a room. According to him, the guest humiliated him with rude language while blowing cigarette smoke in his face. Jang claimed the victim also assaulted him first.

After the murder, Jang dismembered the body and threw parts into the Han River. Police found the victim’s torso first near Magok Bridge, and other body parts later. Jang turned himself in Aug. 17.

Right after he surrendered to police, Jang told reporters that his crime was a justifiable form of retaliation, saying that the victim deserved to die and it was a case where a victim killed a bully.

In the meantime, police were under fire for their lackadaisical handling of the case. Jang initially tried to confess his crime at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency headquarters, but the civil complaints counter simply told him to go to the nearby Jongno Police Station instead. Luckily, Jang did not change his mind and flee, and managed to turn himself in there.