[Anchor]
The police team leader who was in charge of the investigation into Jang Yoon-gi, the murderer of a high school girl in Gwangju, is now facing a critical decision on whether to be detained. The investigator is accused of destroying evidence, including failing to secure cable ties found in Jang's vehicle. In response, the investigator claims that the investigation was merely insufficient and not intentionally mishandled.
Reporter Kim Gyu-ri has the story.
[Reporter]
[(Do you admit to the charges of destroying evidence?) .... (Do you have anything to say?) ....]
The pre-detention warrant hearing for Police Inspector A, the lead investigator of the Jang Yoon-gi murder case, was held at the Gwangju District Court at 11:00 a.m. today (July 8).
Previously, the police had emergency-arrested Inspector A two days ago on July 6 on charges of destroying evidence, formed a special investigation team, and requested an arrest warrant.
Inspector A is accused of failing to secure cable ties suspected to have been used for sexual assault during the search and seizure of Jang's vehicle, and of ordering a junior officer to delete footage of the vehicle search.
SBS has confirmed through reporting that a member of the investigation team testified to the police that they had discovered the cable ties, but Inspector A ordered them to leave the items as they were.
It was also determined that the cable ties in question were later secured and are currently being held by the prosecution.
Inspector A reportedly denied the charges of destroying evidence, claiming that they had no personal acquaintance with Jang's father, a police inspector surnamed Jang, and therefore had no reason to show leniency or assist him.
The police have relieved Inspector A of their duties and placed the then-chief of the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, the head of the detective division, and four other team members who worked with Inspector A on standby.
The court's decision on whether to issue the arrest warrant is expected to be made as early as late this afternoon or tonight.
(Video reporting: Lee Byung-ju, Video editing: Ahn Yeo-jin)
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