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Click here for more stories on the Purdue double homicide.

Suspect in Purdue homicides may face death penalty

MEMORIAL MARCH: Members of the Purdue community gather in front Stewart Center preparing for a walk to Purdue Village in rememberance of two slain Korean sisters.

By Laura Pelner
Campus Editor

The Purdue student suspected of murdering two South Korean sisters in a Purdue Village apartment on Aug. 2 could face 45 to 130 years in prison, the death penalty or life in jail without parole.

Zhan Yin, 27, a graduate student in biology, and suspected killer of Yeunkyung Woo, 31, a graduate student in biology, and her sister Hyo Kyung Woo, 29, of Chicago, has 12 counts filed against him in the Tippecanoe County Superior Court.

The charges, which were filed Monday, consisting of two counts of murder, two counts of murder while attempting to commit burglary or robbery, two counts of robbery, two counts of confinement, two counts of theft and single counts of both burglary and attempted arson.

All the charges are felonies, meaning each one carries a possibility of jail time. Tim Kern, deputy prosecutor, said the murder counts each carry a jail term of 45 to 65 years; the felony counts each have a 20 to 40 year range; the confinement and attempted arson each have a six to 20 year range and the thefts each have a six month to three year range.

"Realistically, I think the basic penalty for the murder is the primary (charge)," Kern said. "For the two (murder charges) the minimum is 45 years and the maximum is 130 years."

University plans to turn fountain on by Sept. 15

For the first time since they were installed, the University's two most prominent fountains were turned off all summer.

Now students can expect to see one fountain turned back on soon but they will have to wait a while for the other.

On July 9, Purdue administrators approved the installation of a 10-foot-6-inch high stainless steel cylinder over the main water jets of the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture located in front of the Hovde Hall of Administration in the Purdue Mall.

Joe Bennett, vice president of University relations, said the cylinder is scheduled to be in place by Sept. 15 — the date of Purdue's first home football game against Notre Dame.

"We would like to have it in place for people visiting for the first home game," he said.

The administration approved the plan because it provided an answer to both the safety and aesthetic concerns surrounding the fountain.

The plan was proposed by the advisory committee — set up in April to find a solution to the controversy created by the announcement to place fences around the 1939 Water Sculpture and the Loeb Fountain in front of the Liberal Arts and Education Building.

Six student revelers continue to await trial

Five months after revelers took to the streets of West Lafayette, some students are still awaiting trial for their role in the disturbance that followed the April 1 NCAA Women’s Championship Basketball game.

The disturbance, which resulted in $75,000 of damage in and around campus, led to the expulsion of 9 students, arrest of 18 and suspension of several more.

"The University did, as it said it would, take students who had been identified as participating in the disturbances through the disciplinary process — we’ve done that," said Purdue president Martin Jischke.

Some of the students who were identified as participating, were identified through images posted on the Purdue police Web site, which offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a reveler.

Jeanne Norberg, director of the University News Service, said she believed no reward money was actually handed out, though, because no information led to the arrest and conviction of one person.

Click here for more stories on the Purdue double homicide.

Suspect in Purdue homicides may face death penalty

University plans to turn fountain on by Sept. 15

Six student revelers continue to await trial

Suspect in Purdue homicides may face death penalty

Purdue community copes with murder of sisters

Water tower reflects Purdue pride

Purdue takes steps to ease effects of tuition hike

Purdue to construct new research center

Construction continues on campus

University plans to turn fountain on by Sept. 15

Indiana residents file suit about controversial production

Police department to receive new station

Levee continues to develop

Boilers hope team unity begets success in 2001

Boilers to stay, not play, at Las Vegas casino

Team hopes for freshmen help

Tickets remain available for football season

Students get new seating in Mackey Arena

Punt returner spots remain open

New track coach hopes to balance career, marriage

Men's cross country team has high hopes

Boiler guard has surgery, may miss season

Brees has yet to play for Chargers offense

Rose Bowl tradition breaks


8/17/2001	Welcome Back Issue