Yoon Mo (52), who has claimed to have served 20 years of "unjust imprisonment" after being arrested as the suspect in the 8th Hwaseong serial murder case, is entering the Suwon District Court in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do with a petition for retrial on the morning of the 13th. 2019.11.13 [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The court has decided to commence a retrial for the 8th serial murder case involving Lee Chun-jae.
The Criminal Division 12 of Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Kim Byung-chan) accepted the opinion of Yoon Mo (52), the petitioner for retrial in the 8th Lee Chun-jae case, and decided to open the retrial on the 14th.
The court stated the reason for the retrial decision, saying, "Lee Chun-jae confessed during investigation by law enforcement agencies that he was the true culprit of this case," and "Considering various pieces of evidence, the credibility of the statement is recognized." It also explained, "The retrial corresponds to the case where new clear evidence proving Yoon's innocence has been discovered."
The court will hold a pretrial preparation hearing next month to listen to the future proof plans of both the prosecution and defense, and proceed with the procedure of selecting the evidence and witnesses necessary for the retrial. The full trial is scheduled to begin in March.
The 8th Lee Chun-jae case refers to the incident on September 16, 1988, when Park Mo (then 13) was found dead after being sexually assaulted at her home in Jin-an-ri, Taean-eup, Hwaseong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Yoon, who was identified as the culprit at the time, was sentenced to life imprisonment, served 20 years, and was paroled in 2009.
After Lee Chun-jae's confession of the crime, Yoon claimed his innocence, saying, "I made a false confession under police coercion," and filed for a retrial last November with the help of lawyer Park Jun-young and others. The prosecution also submitted an opinion to the court stating that new evidence proving Yoon's innocence was found, and that it is reasonable to commence a retrial due to confirmation of official misconduct by law enforcement personnel and the falsification of forensic reports by the National Forensic Service, which served as evidence in Yoon's verdict.
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