Man to be Sentenced in December for Murders of Sydney Couple
SYDNEY – A New South Wales Supreme Court hearing revealed the devastating impact of the murders of Steven and Min Cho, with family members stating their lives were “utterly destroyed” by the crimes. The court is preparing to sentence Sang Yun Yoo for the deaths of the couple, found at their Baulkham Hills home in September.
The court heard Yoo’s motive remained unclear, with psychiatrist Dr. Ellis stating Yoo displayed “very limited” insight into his actions and an inability to articulate a coherent reason for the killings. Dr. Ellis noted Yoo’s lies were “psychiatrically unusual” due to their easily disprovable nature, characterizing them as “an immature way of managing your own self-image.” While Yoo visited the Cho property multiple times prior to the murders, Dr. Ellis accepted the intention to kill may have formed two or three weeks beforehand.
Prosecutor Kate Ratcliffe argued for a life sentence, stating it was the appropriate penalty. Defense counsel richard J Wilson SC disputed this, challenging the Crown’s suggestion that Yoo was driven by “jealousy and hatred” and describing the case as “somewhat of a mystery,” questioning how a previously well-respected man could commit such acts.
Prior to being taken to a mental health unit in custody, Yoo reportedly expressed remorse, stating, “Everything I’ve done … I feel shame, guilt, sorrow.”
Justice Harrison will deliver Yoo’s sentence on December 16.
