WELLINGTON: The trial of a South Korean lady accused in New Zealand of killing her youngsters, stuffing their our bodies in suitcases and leaving them in a storage locker started on Monday (Sep 8).
The case precipitated widespread shock in New Zealand when the our bodies of Minu-jo, 6, and Yuna-jo, 8, had been present in an deserted storage locker by an Auckland household in August 2022.
Police consider Hakyung Lee killed her youngsters in June or July 2018, a 12 months after her husband’s loss of life, after which returned to South Korea.
She was extradited from South Korea in November 2022 on the request of the New Zealand police.
Showing earlier than the Auckland Excessive Court docket on Monday morning, New Zealand media reported Lee refused to reply Justice Geoffrey Venning’s requires a plea.
Regardless of the silence, Venning mentioned he took Lee’s actions to be a not responsible plea, and continued with the case. He informed jurors he anticipated an madness defence to be introduced.
Lee has elected to characterize herself within the trial.
Two defence attorneys, Lorraine Smith and Chris Wilkinson-Smith, are serving as standby counsel.
The prosecution is predicted to open its case on Tuesday.
