Caught by Latest DNA Analysis Technique
Suspect Imprisoned for Special Rape Crime
One of the perpetrators who committed robbery and murder by breaking into a multi-family house in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province over 20 years ago has been brought to trial. Although the weapon used in the crime was found at the scene, the case remained unsolved due to insufficient investigation at the time. However, advances in DNA analysis techniques later enabled the identification of the culprit.
On the 27th, the Criminal Division 3 of Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Han Yeon-gyu) reportedly arrested and indicted Mr. A (44) on charges of robbery and murder, according to Yonhap News Agency. Mr. A is accused of breaking into a multi-family house in Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi Province, around 3 a.m. on September 8, 2001, along with an accomplice, stabbing Mr. B (then 37) with a weapon and killing him, injuring Mr. B’s wife (then 33), and fleeing after stealing 1 million won in cash.
Mr. A climbed up the gas pipe on the exterior wall of the building and entered the house through a window. After entering the master bedroom, Mr. A threatened the sleeping Mr. B and his wife with a pre-prepared weapon, demanding valuables. When they resisted, he stabbed them with the weapon and fled after stealing cash. Mr. A and his accomplice left behind tools used to bind Mr. B’s wife and other instruments at the scene, but at the time, DNA detection was impossible with the available technology, leaving the case unsolved for over 20 years.
In 2020, the case took a new turn. With the emergence of advanced analysis techniques capable of identifying DNA decades old, and following clues found in the 'Lee Chun-jae serial murder case,' the police sent the evidence from this case to the National Forensic Service for DNA reanalysis. Shortly after, it was confirmed that the DNA matched Mr. A’s. It was reported that Mr. A had been incarcerated at Jeonju Prison since 2017 for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (special rape). Subsequently, the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, having received the case from the police, conducted supplementary investigations and indicted Mr. A.
During the prosecution investigation, Mr. A completely denied the charges, claiming evidence fabrication and illegal investigation by authorities. However, the prosecution confirmed Mr. A’s involvement through DNA re-examination, account tracking, forensic consultation, and searches of people around Mr. A. Nevertheless, the prosecution has not yet identified the accomplice. A prosecution official stated, "We will continue to actively utilize various forensic investigation techniques to ensure that no crimes evade the law," and added, "We will do our best to maintain the prosecution so that the defendant, who has avoided punishment for over 20 years, receives a sentence commensurate with the crime."
The statute of limitations for murder was extended from 15 to 25 years starting in 2007, and in 2015, the so-called 'Tae-wan Act,' which abolished the statute of limitations for murder, was enacted. Therefore, if Mr. A’s crime is proven, he cannot avoid punishment for robbery and murder.
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