"Send the message to refuse testimony, not to cooperate with the investigation"
Revealed by Jo Jaebin, former Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Incheon District Prosecutors' Office who investigated the valley murder case
Jo Joo-bin being transferred from Jongno Police Station in Seoul to the prosecution on March 25, 2020. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Lee Eun-hae (31), who was indicted for the 'Valley Murder' case, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial. It has been revealed that Jo Joo-bin (27), the main culprit of the 'Nth Room case,' sent a letter to Lee, who is currently detained in a detention center, advising her to "refuse to testify."
Jo Jae-bin, a lawyer and former deputy chief prosecutor of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office who led the investigation into the valley murder case, disclosed this during an interview with SBS on the 27th, sharing behind-the-scenes details of the investigation.
According to Lawyer Jo, Lee Eun-hae received a letter from Jo Joo-bin while detained at the Incheon Detention Center. The lawyer said, "When Lee Eun-hae and Jo Hyun-soo were first detained at the Incheon Detention Center, Jo Joo-bin, the main culprit of the 'Nth Room' case, sent a letter to Lee Eun-hae," adding, "The letter contained advice to not cooperate with the prosecution's investigation and to refuse to testify." He added, "I was shocked. I thought, 'This guy is even doing this kind of thing.' Since they had become very famous, he presumptuously gave advice as someone who was famous before them."
Lawyer Jo also stated that Lee Eun-hae and her accomplice Jo Hyun-soo (30) did not cooperate with the prosecution's investigation even after being detained. He said, "Lee Eun-hae refused to be questioned, saying she did not have a lawyer appointed, and Jo Hyun-soo was questioned but refused to give unfavorable statements," adding, "During this process, we conducted a search of their rooms and discovered that the two had coordinated their testimonies by sharing details of their interrogations."
He further explained, "Normally, sharing is not allowed, but since both had been detained multiple times before, they were familiar with the detention center system," and "They used people who could help them in that space to exchange letters."
Eunhae Lee (31, left) and Hyunsoo Jo (30) are entering the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon City, on the afternoon of April 19 to attend a pre-trial detention hearing. Photo by Yonhap News
According to Lawyer Jo, Lee Eun-hae and Jo Hyun-soo even considered parole. He said, "They thought about parole. They believed that if they received a 10-year sentence, they would be eligible for parole after 6 years, and they were confident they could be released early as model prisoners," adding, "They were also aware of the possibility of being sentenced to life imprisonment." He continued, "In a way, this was practically an acknowledgment of the crime."
Lawyer Jo stated that Lee Eun-hae planned and meticulously prepared the crime to kill her husband. He said, "Gapyeong Yongso Valley was the location set up by Lee Eun-hae," and "They continuously took the victim to places for water leisure activities." He explained, "It was not just a casual outing; they wanted to show that Jo Hyun-soo and Mr. Lee were trustworthy people who could swim well," adding, "After that, they took him to Yongso Valley."
He continued, "(The victim husband) was forced to dive at that spot. Below were Jo Hyun-soo and Mr. Lee, who were good swimmers, along with a tube, and even his wife and her friend were watching," adding, "Due to gaslighting, the victim believed that even if he jumped, those people would definitely save him."
However, the situation that unfolded was the opposite. Lawyer Jo said, "Lee Eun-hae left the scene with Mr. Choi, who was with them," and "According to experts, the victim called for help for 1 to 2 minutes, but Jo Hyun-soo did not rescue him, and the victim died."
The Criminal Division 15 of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Lee Gyu-hoon) recognized the charges against Lee Eun-hae and Jo Hyun-soo, who were indicted for murder, attempted murder, and violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud, and sentenced them to life imprisonment and 30 years in prison, respectively, on the same day. The court also ordered that if they are released, they must wear electronic monitoring devices (electronic anklets) for 20 years.
However, the court judged that Lee's act constituted indirect (omission) murder rather than direct (commission) murder. Considering that the victim jumped into the water voluntarily, the court acquitted her of the direct murder charge based on gaslighting (psychological manipulation) as claimed by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, Jo Joo-bin is serving a 42-year prison sentence for charges including production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials.
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