murder Archives | BenitoLink

Salinas-San Juan Grade Road runs through the Monterey-San Benito county line. Imagery c2021 AMBAG, Maxar Technologies, USDA Farm Service Agency Map data.

This is an ongoing investigation and the San Benito Sheriff's Office is still pursuing leads for other suspects in this case.

Hollister Police Department. File photo by Joshua Miller.

Hollister Police arrest homicide suspect

Published 08/25/2020
BenitoLink Staff

19-year-old male held on $1 million bail.

Jung Choi greets her translator before taking a seat during a May 1 hearing at San Benito County Superior Court. Photo by Noe Magaña.

Ji and Choi hearings delayed

Published 05/02/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, Noe Magaña

Defense attorney Gregory LaForge asks for two weeks to review Ji’s mental competency evaluation.

Sang Ji in San Benito County Superior Court during a 2019 hearing. Photo by John Chadwell.

Sang Ji hearing moved to May 1

Published 04/19/2019
Noe Magaña

Jung Choi scheduled to appear in court the same day.

Jose Antonio Barajas stands at an April 15 hearing at San Benito County Superior Court. He will be tried for premeditated, first degree murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges. Photo by John Chadwell.

Three eyewitnesses say Jose Antonio Barajas fired shot that killed Ariana Zendejas

Published 04/17/2019
John Chadwell

District Attorney goes for premeditated, first-degree murder; defense says Barajas was only shooting at the tires and didn't mean to hit anyone.

Hollister murder suspects back in court, set to return in March

Published 02/21/2019
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

South Korean TV news crew is also on hand to film hour-long documentary.

Jung Choi (left) and Sang Ji (right) have appeared in court together for over a year. A Korean interpreter sits between them at a 2018 hearing. Photo by John Chadwell.

Ji and Choi murder case gets January hearing

Published 01/07/2019
John Chadwell

Prosecution expected to present its evidence against the accused.

Court bailiffs lead Jose Antonio Barajas into court where he may soon be on trial for murder and other felonies. Photos by John Chadwell.

Murder suspect Barajas back in court

Published 10/23/2018
John Chadwell

Decision on preliminary hearing date expected this week.

South Korean citizen and suspect Jung Choi enters courtroom as her accused accomplice Sang Ji sits nearby. Photos by John Chadwell.

Preliminary hearing set for Oct. 22 to determine if Choi and Ji murder trial moves forward

Published 07/23/2018
John Chadwell

Judge Steven Sanders set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 22 to determine if there is enough evidence to either move forward with a trial or dismiss the case. DNA evidence still not available.

Capt. Eric Taylor said law enforcement personnel had to use ropes to get down to where the body was buried. Photo by John Chadwell

Sheriff’s investigator: Sang Ji says Jung Choi killed his wife

Published 03/09/2018
John Chadwell

According to county investigator, Capt. Eric Taylor, accused killer Sang Ji, claimed his alleged accomplice, Jung Choi, beat his wife to death as he watched...but investigators say two people killed Yoon Hee Ji.

Jung Choi arrived at San Francisco International Airport on same day Yoon Ji was murdered. Photos by John Chadwell.

DA denies Sang Ji confessed to killing his wife as case moves to possible trial

Published 01/19/2018
John Chadwell

As murder case moves toward possible trial, Korean interpreter claimed she overheard conversation in which South Korean citizen Jung Choi told attorney that Ji had confessed to killing his wife.

Sang Ji and Jung Choi are led into the courtroom in chains. Photos by John Chadwell.

Police / Fire

UPDATE: Missing local woman’s body found buried near San Juan Bautista; two accused of her killing appear at Superior Court

Published 12/24/2017
BenitoLink Reporter, John Chadwell

Authorities suspect that body discovered near San Juan-Salinas Grade Road is that of Yoon Ji, whose husband, Sang Ji and a South Korean citizen, Jung Choi, were arrested on suspicion of murder.