Auckland, New Zealand — In a high-profile trial, the jury faces a complex question regarding Hakyung Lee, accused of murdering her two young children amid allegations of mental instability. Prosecutors will need to establish whether Lee was aware of her actions during the tragic incident in June 2018.
Lee is on trial for the deaths of her eight-year-old daughter, Yuna Jo, and six-year-old son, Minu Jo. The prosecution argues that Lee exhibited awareness of her wrongdoing by taking actions to conceal the bodies, changing her identity shortly after the killings, and leaving New Zealand for South Korea within weeks. This evidence stands in stark contrast to claims of her mental illness at the time.
According to forensic accountants, financial records present a striking narrative. Prior to her husband Ian Jo’s terminal cancer diagnosis and an accompanying life insurance payout of $330,000, Lee lived a modest lifestyle. However, after his death in November 2017, spending patterns changed dramatically. Prosecutors noted a “radical spike” in expenses, which included stays in luxury hotels and business-class travel to various destinations like Australia and South Korea. Credit card spending surged by 1397%, while travel and holiday expenditures ballooned by 4966%, and cash withdrawals shot up by 5112%.
The shift in financial habits raises questions about Lee’s mental state and intentions. Before the children’s deaths, her spending on family activities, such as trips to amusement parks and fast food restaurants, abruptly halted, followed by a 58% drop in daily food expenses. This sudden change led prosecutors to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding her children’s deaths.
Lee’s mother testified that she had a troubling conversation with her daughter before the tragic events, where Lee expressed intentions to use the life insurance funds carelessly and mentioned the possibility of harming herself and her children. Although the mother dismissed these remarks at the time, she later took precautionary measures by disposing of potentially harmful chemicals found at Lee’s home.
On the day of the children’s alleged deaths, Lee engaged in activities that raised red flags. She purchased a courier envelope, rubbish bags, and food from a local bakery shortly before the incident. The next day, she sought a name change and made payments to a storage facility where the children’s bodies were eventually discovered in August 2022.
The defense argues that Lee’s expenditures were not extravagant and that her financial transfers to Korea demonstrate a need for frugality. They noted that she only spent about $3,000 per month during her time abroad, suggesting she did not live a lavish lifestyle.
As the trial continues, jurors sift through heaps of receipts detailing Lee’s spending before and after her children’s deaths, searching for an understanding of her mindset and circumstances. The Crown is set to call more witnesses as proceedings resume, with Justice Geoffrey Venning overseeing the case.
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