[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A former taxi driver accused of murdering a female childcare worker in her 20s at a daycare center in Jeju 11 years ago was acquitted in the appellate court due to lack of direct evidence.
The Jeju 1st Criminal Division of the Gwangju High Court (Chief Judge Wang Jeong-ok) announced on the 8th that it upheld the not guilty verdict for Park Mo (51), who was charged with violating the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Protection of Victims (rape and murder), the same as the original trial.
The court stated, "The proof of murder must be based on strict evidence," and added, "The evidence submitted by the prosecution cannot be considered sufficient to exclude reasonable doubt, so we pronounce a verdict of not guilty."
Previously, the first trial court also acquitted Park, stating, "Although the defendant's claims or excuses are somewhat contradictory or unclear, and there are circumstances that raise suspicion that the defendant committed the crime, such as deleting call records, these are only indirect evidence."
The prosecution said, "Although there is no evidence constructed solely based on the defendant's statements, we are confident of guilt based on scientific and technological evidence such as microfibers, related forensic science, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage," and had sought life imprisonment in both the first and second trials.
Park was tried on charges of murdering A (then 27 years old, female), a childcare worker, on the morning of February 1, 2009, and abandoning the body in a drainage ditch along a farm road in Aewol-eup, Jeju City.
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