Prosecutors Review Changing Lee Eun-hae's Indictment from 'Direct Murder' to 'Indirect Murder'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution is considering changing the charges against Lee Eun-hae (31) and her accomplice Jo Hyun-soo (30), defendants in the 'Valley Murder' case, from direct murder to indirect murder.

The 15th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Lee Gyu-hoon) held the 12th trial for Lee and Jo, who were indicted on charges including murder and attempted murder, on the 30th.

Before starting the witness examination that day, Chief Judge Lee asked the prosecution, "Is there a particular reason why you indicted for murder by commission rather than murder by omission?"

The prosecution replied, "Lee and Jo conspired in illegal acts," and "We evaluated Lee's psychological control (gaslighting) over the victim as an act of commission and indicted accordingly."

Chief Judge Lee said, "I respect the prosecution's opinion to indict for murder by commission, but please also consider amending the indictment," adding, "It would be better for both the prosecution and the defendants to keep murder by omission in mind during the (witness) examination."

In response, the prosecution said, "We are currently reviewing (the indictment amendment)," and "If necessary, we will submit it in writing."

Previously, the prosecution applied the charge of murder by commission, which corresponds to directly killing, rather than murder by omission, which applies when someone deliberately does not rescue despite being able to do so, to Lee and Jo.

Generally, when murder by commission is recognized as guilty, the sentence is much heavier than for murder by omission.

Lee was arrested and indicted on charges including killing her husband Yoon on June 30, 2019, at 8:24 p.m. in Yongsogye Valley, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, together with her lover Jo.

The prosecution judged that they forced Yoon, who could not swim, to jump from a 4-meter-high rock into a 3-meter-deep valley pool without rescue equipment, resulting in his death. The prosecution concluded that Lee and Jo planned the crime aiming for the 800 million won life insurance money taken out in Yoon's name.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.