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 triggered widespread shock in New Zealand when the our bodies of Minu-jo, 6, and Yuna-jo, 8, have been present in an deserted storage locker by an Auckland household in August 2022.
Police imagine Hakyung Lee killed her youngsters in June or July 2018, a 12 months after her husband’s dying, 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 stated he took Lee’s actions to be a not responsible plea, and continued with the case. He advised jurors he anticipated an madness defence to be introduced.
Lee has elected to signify herself within the trial.
Two defence legal professionals, Lorraine Smith and Chris Wilkinson-Smith, are serving as standby counsel.
The prosecution is anticipated to open its case on Tuesday.
