Son who beat father to death gets 4 years in prison

A man who beat his elderly father to death with a blunt object during a physical altercation at his home has been sentenced to prison.

The First Criminal Division of the Namyangju Branch of Uijeongbu District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Guk-sik, sentenced A, who was indicted on charges of fatal assault against a lineal ascendant, to four years in prison, legal sources said Saturday.

A was charged after striking his father, B, who was in his 70s, four times in the head with a blunt object at around 11 a.m. on Feb. 9 at his residence, causing B to die of traumatic brain injury about 40 days later.

B had been scolding A for locking his bedroom door and was attempting to break it down with a blunt object when the two came to blows. A, after being struck in the head himself, flew into a rage and carried out the attack, according to the investigation.

"The defendant struck his father with a blunt object, injuring him and ultimately causing his death, which reflects a grave betrayal of filial duty," the court said. "Given the nature, method and consequences of the crime, the degree of culpability is also significant."

The court added, however, that it took into account that the defendant appeared to have acted somewhat impulsively after being struck in the head and becoming agitated, as well as a petition for leniency submitted by the defendant's mother.