A woman in Washington state is facing second-degree murder charges and a wrongful death lawsuit for allegedly killing her husband in a violent confrontation. Youngmi Shin, 52, is accused of fatally stabbing her 62-year-old husband, Jay Choi, after a heated argument in November. The incident occurred at their home in Parkland, about 10 miles south of Tacoma.
Shin has pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming she acted in self-defense. According to her, the altercation began when Choi allegedly grabbed her by the hair and punched her in the face. She stated that in response, she fought back, stabbing him in the back with a knife. The police narrative, however, paints a darker picture. Deputies responding to a welfare check were informed by a neighbor that Shin had approached her, covered in blood, and frantically asked her to call the police. The neighbor reported seeing Shin, still covered in blood, running to the driveway where Choi was found lying motionless.
When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Choi lying on the ground with Shin on top of him, both covered in blood. Choi was unresponsive, and despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead. Police quickly removed Shin from the scene and began questioning her. Shin allegedly confessed to stabbing Choi during the argument but claimed she did so out of fear for her life, as she said he had been drinking heavily and had become increasingly aggressive.
Shin’s defense centers on the claim that she was trying to prevent her husband from driving while intoxicated, which led to a confrontation. She said that after a night of drinking, Choi became verbally abusive, insulting her family and demanding a set of car keys. When she attempted to block the door to stop him from leaving, he allegedly attacked her, prompting her to defend herself.
Meanwhile, Choi’s two daughters have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Shin, alleging negligent infliction of emotional distress and seeking damages for the loss of their father. In their legal complaint, the daughters described the pain and anguish their family has endured as a result of his death. They argue that Shin’s actions were reckless and that she should be held accountable for her father’s untimely death, regardless of the circumstances.
The lawsuit also accuses Shin of causing them emotional distress by taking away the relationship they had with their father. They have highlighted the severe impact this loss has had on their lives, claiming it is impossible to fully heal from the trauma they have suffered. The daughters noted that Choi did not have a will, adding complexity to the legal proceedings and prompting them to seek compensation for their pain.
Shin’s bond was set at $1 million, and her request to reduce the bail amount was denied after prosecutors argued that she posed a serious flight risk. The daughters further emphasized Shin’s alleged criminal connections and questionable history, suggesting that she may have used fraudulent marriage schemes in the past for immigration purposes. Despite the charges, Shin remains adamant that she acted in self-defense, leaving both the legal system and the grieving family to navigate a complex and emotionally charged situation.
