Warrant sought for main investigator in Gwangju murder case

Police sought a detention warrant Tuesday for the lead investigator in the Gwangju high school murder case over allegations that the officer destroyed or failed to preserve key evidence. 

The inspector of Gwangju Gwangsan Police precinct is accused of destroying key evidence while investigating Jang Yun-gi, who is detained on charges of murdering a female high school student and attempting to kill another student who intervened during the attack in Gwangju in May.

The lead investigator searched Jang's SUV shortly after the crime and reportedly found a bundle of cable ties believed to have been used to restrain the victim.

However, the investigator failed to seize the cable ties as evidence. They also collected blood and fingerprint samples from the vehicle but left it at the scene rather than impounding it. The controversy worsened after it was revealed that Jang's father continued using the vehicle following his son’s alleged crimes.

A follow-up investigation by prosecutors also found that the police investigation team reportedly failed to seize a damaged sex doll discovered at the suspect’s residence. The police investigators also allegedly gave the suspect’s father, who is an active-duty police officer, the apartment's address and the entry code to the suspect's apartment unit.

Using the information provided by police, the suspect’s father reportedly entered the apartment unit and disposed of the sex doll and burned his son's mobile phone.

The sex doll, which had severe damage concentrated around the neck and the chest area, was considered potentially important evidence that could have shed light on the suspect’s distorted perceptions on sex.  

The physical evidence has been lost and only photographs and video documents remain at the moment.

"The investigation team from the Korean National Police Agency and investigators from the serious crimes investigation division joined the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency team on the morning of [Tuesday] and have begun a full-scale investigation," the special investigation team said. "We will conduct a thorough investigation into those involved to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged destruction of evidence and other related offenses."

BY KIM NAM-JUN [[email protected]]