Posted 5:42 PM by Murph.

KDKA (CBS) has a story on the Penich family's reaction to the latest phase of things.

Despite the acquittal and the prosecution's failed appeal--and the Judge's comment that there is evidence that a man (i.e. not Kenzi) was the killer--Penich's family is still hoping for a conviction of Kenzi. Which is unfortunate.

Posted 8:40 AM by Murph.

An end to the suspense...as if anybody is surprised, the prosecution is appealing:

Hello Everyone-              27 October
 
I actually wrote a message last week when I found out this information, but the cables were loose on the back of my computer and I sent it off into cyberspace.  I appologize for the delay.
 
The Prosecutor did appeal. But this is a good thing!  Once this is done, there will be no way anyone can say that she got through on a technicality.  There will be nowhere else to go.
 
Her lawyers are very willing to follow the case to the end, and I am so grateful for that as they are very skilled and caring; just wonderfully kind and enthusiastic.  Both Kenzi and I feel very safe in their hands.  I know that they are thorough about everything!
 
I am in Minnesota for a few weeks having fun and helping with the wedding plans of my son (wedding date 27 December).  I spend a weekend at Tina's family home and we did all kinds of planning and preparing and attended a shower for her, too.  I will be returning to Korea in a few weks and will be there for the decision.
 
We had a wonderful interview with CourtTV and the are scheduled to speak with Barbara Walters (I think) and/or Diane Sawyer with ABC's Dateline and 20/20, soon.  This will be a big boost to the cause.
 
Please keep us in your prayers.  We feel we are legally pretty safe, but we will continue as we would like this case to be the catalyst for fairer laws and protections: an interview should not be a crime done by the authorities.  Please keep spreading the word!!
 
Most Sincerely, Heath Bozonie  

No news articles yet.

Posted 8:40 AM by Murph.

An end to the suspense...as if anybody is surprised, the prosecution is appealing:

Hello Everyone-              27 October
 
I actually wrote a message last week when I found out this information, but the cables were loose on the back of my computer and I sent it off into cyberspace.  I appologize for the delay.
 
The Prosecutor did appeal. But this is a good thing!  Once this is done, there will be no way anyone can say that she got through on a technicality.  There will be nowhere else to go.
 
Her lawyers are very willing to follow the case to the end, and I am so grateful for that as they are very skilled and caring; just wonderfully kind and enthusiastic.  Both Kenzi and I feel very safe in their hands.  I know that they are thorough about everything!
 
I am in Minnesota for a few weeks having fun and helping with the wedding plans of my son (wedding date 27 December).  I spend a weekend at Tina's family home and we did all kinds of planning and preparing and attended a shower for her, too.  I will be returning to Korea in a few weks and will be there for the decision.
 
We had a wonderful interview with CourtTV and the are scheduled to speak with Barbara Walters (I think) and/or Diane Sawyer with ABC's Dateline and 20/20, soon.  This will be a big boost to the cause.
 
Please keep us in your prayers.  We feel we are legally pretty safe, but we will continue as we would like this case to be the catalyst for fairer laws and protections: an interview should not be a crime done by the authorities.  Please keep spreading the word!!
 
Most Sincerely, Heath Bozonie  

Posted 4:47 AM by Murph.

The Stars and Stripes article is somewhat longer than the AP article from the day of the (re-)acquittal. The Chosun Ilbo has an quick interview-with-Kenzi article, which also has a different picture of Kenzi than the one that the AP has been using for a year and a half. It's about time. :)

No appeal yet!

Posted 4:56 AM by Murph.

Kenzi is free! Again! The appeals court has handed down a firm statement that, not only is there no evidence that Kenzi was responsible for Jamie's death, but that there is significant evidence that someone else was. There's still the possibility that the Korean Supreme Court will review the case, but, with this strength of ruling on the appeal, the prosecution will hopefully see little point in pursuing Kenzi further.

Hello Everyone-   14 October
 
For the third time, the Korean government has said that Kenzi is not responsible for her friend's death!!  She is free!
 
In the judges' statement he said that the US government did not follow the guidelines set down by the treaty and therefore the confession should not be accepted in court.  But then, he continued and gave five pieces of evidence that shows that it was someone else who commited this crime.
 
The evidence was: 1)  the owner of the hotel saw a man leave the room and maintained under much questioning, and still to this day, that this is true;  2) men's voices were heard from the next room; 3) there was blood found on the inside of the hotel room door which was neither from Jaime nor Kenzi;  4) there was a hair folical (type A) that did not belong to either woman; 3) there was a bloody footprint, size 285, on the bathroom floor and Kenzi's size is 260.
 
The virdict was "not guilty, she did nothing wrong and the appeal was dismissed."  Now, we have to wait for the Supreme Court hearing and maybe with this verdict and statement, the Supreme Court will not take very long at all.  There is a chance that it will not go to the Supreme court, but that is very slim!!
 
And more good news!  The lawyers are willing to do the final hearing.  And there is a reporter from Court TV doing a story on this case.  She is very up on all the information and I am hoping this can become the catalyst to fair interrogations.  She did ask us what we would like at the end of this and Kenzi said a law that would  1) require all interrogations to be taped;  2) interrogaters could reveal no evidence, information, or show any pictures of the crime scene;  3) all confessions must be taken in an official setting.    
 
Thank you for your prayers and letters and this is almost over.  Please continue to keep us your prayers.  Most sincerely, Heath and Kenzi 

The Huntington Herald-Dispatch has the Associated Press story.

Posted 5:27 PM by Murph.

E-mail from Heath; sounds like Round Two is almost done, and they might be able to come home as early as Christmas.

Hello Eveyone-                                                          3 October 2003
 
We went to the lawyers yesterday.  The decision is on the 14 of October.  We are expecting an innocent verdict, according to the laws of the land, but of course are not sure. 
 
However, there is only about a 1% chance that the case will not be held over for the Supreme Court.  This is another 2-3 months of waiting.  And it is just waiting.  Kenzi will not need to be involved in any way.  The judges re-examine the case to see if any kind of law was broken.  There is a possibility she could yet be found guilty, but that chance is very small.
 
The Korean lawyers keep asking if we "are upset with, or blame, Korea."  The answer is NO!  I do not see that Korea had much choice in all of this.  And their legal system seems very concerned with justice.  Their outlook is "what is best for the society at large."  I feel safer here.
 
So, please pray for an honest verdict based on justice.  Again, all we need is justice to be done.  We ask for and need nothing else. 
 
Most Sincerely, and with a great deal of love for all your support and notes of encouragement and caring, Heath