Patterson, a civilian worker with the U.S. military at that time, was at the crime scene and was identified as a key suspect in the murder case. However, he fled to the U.S. in 1999, after law enforcement authorities failed to extend his foreign travel ban. (image: A still cut of the Film “The Case of Itaewon Homicide”)
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The prime suspect in a famous unsolved murder that occurred at a fast food restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, will be extradited to Korea after 16 years on the run.
The Ministry of Justice announced that Arthur Patterson, who is suspected of stabbing a college student in the restroom of a Burger King in the popular foreigner district in Seoul in 1997, will arrive at Incheon Airport in the early morning of September 23.
Patterson, a civilian worker with the U.S. military at that time, was at the crime scene and was identified as a key suspect in the murder case. However, he fled to the U.S. in 1999, after law enforcement authorities failed to extend his foreign travel ban.
Meanwhile, Edward Lee, who was also at the scene, was acquitted after two years of fierce legal battles in 1999.
In 2002, Patterson was sued by the bereaved family of the victim on charges of murder, but the prosecutors’ office ordered suspension of prosecution after failing in a bid for cooperation with its U.S. counterpart.
The case was almost forgotten until a film motivated by the murder case was produced in 2009. The prosecutors’ office reopened the case, and accused Patterson of the murder of the 22-year-old student in 2011.
While Patterson was caught in the United States in May 2011 in collaboration with U.S. authorities, he has been delaying extradition by submitting multiple habeas corpus petitions, the Ministry of Justice said.
However, his recent petition was dismissed by a U.S. court, and finally his extradition became possible.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
